Ebed-melech עֶ֫בֶד מֶ֫לֶךְ
Ethiopian eunuch who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern
Biography
Ebed-melech was an Ethiopian eunuch who served in the court of King Zedekiah during the final days of the kingdom of Judah. He played a significant role in rescuing the prophet Jeremiah from a life-threatening situation.
When Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern by the officials who opposed his prophetic message, Ebed-melech learned of the prophet's plight (Jer.38.7). Recognizing the injustice of the situation, Ebed-melech courageously went to King Zedekiah and interceded on Jeremiah's behalf (Jer.38.8-9).
The king granted Ebed-melech permission to rescue Jeremiah, and the Ethiopian eunuch took thirty men with him to the cistern (Jer.38.10). Ebed-melech showed compassion and resourcefulness by lowering old rags and worn-out clothes for Jeremiah to use as padding under the ropes.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 5 verses
- Jeremiah 38:7
"Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the king was then sitting in Benjamin’s gate),"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 38:8
"Ebedmelech went out of the king’s house, and spoke to the king, saying,"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 38:10
"Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take from here thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he dies.”"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 38:11
"So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took from there rags and worn-out garments, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 38:12
"Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these rags and worn-out garments under your armpits under the cords.” Jeremiah did so."
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עֶ֫בֶד מֶ֫לֶךְ | H5663 |
Ebed-melech
d him from the dungeon into which he had been cast to die (Jer 38:7-13). For this, the word of Yahweh through Jeremiah promised Ebed-meleeh that his life should be spared in the fall of Jerusalem (Jer 39:15-18).
See BOHAN.
See EZEL.
eb-en-e'-zer ('ebhen ha-`ezer, "stone of