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And Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.” And Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes”; and Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, &#8220Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes"; and Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes”; and Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes”; and Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your armpits, then place the ropes under the padding”; and Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Ebed-melech the Cushite called down to Jeremiah, “Place these old rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.” Jeremiah did this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah, &#8220Place these old rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.&#8221 Jeremiah did so, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these rags and worn-out garments under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then he said, "Put these rags under your arms so the ropes won't hurt you." After I did, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Ebed Melech from Sudan said to Jeremiah, "Put these rags and torn clothes under your arms to protect you from the ropes." Jeremiah did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He told me to put the rags under my arms, so that the ropes wouldn't hurt me. I did this, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Ebed-melech the Ethiopian told Jeremiah, "Put the worn out rags and clothes under your armpits under the ropes," and Jeremiah did as he said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah, ?Put these worn-out rags and clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.? Jeremiah did so,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Ebed Melech called down to Jeremiah, "Put these rags and worn-out clothes under your armpits to pad the ropes. Jeremiah did as Ebed Melech instructed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, "Put now these rags and worn-out garments under your armpits under the cords." Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Ebed-melech the Cushite said to Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and decayed rags under thy arm-holes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these rags and worn-out garments under your armpits under the cords.” Jeremiah did so. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Ebed-Melech the Cushite says to Jeremiah, “Now put the worn-out pieces of cloth and rags under your arms, at the place of the cords,” and Jeremiah does so,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Ebed-Melech the Cushite saith unto Jeremiah, 'Put, I pray thee, the worn-out clouts and rags under thine arm-holes, at the place of the cords,' and Jeremiah doth so,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the king's servant the Cushite will say to Jeremiah, Put now the old rags torn and rubbed small, under the joints of thy hands from under the cords; and Jeremiah will do so.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Abdemelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremias: Put these old rags and these rent and rotten things under thy arms, and upon the cords: and Jeremias did so. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian, said to Jeremiah: “Place these old garments, and these cut and decaying cloths, under your arms and over the ropes.” And Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then he said to Jeremiah, “Put these old, tattered rags between your armpits and the ropes.” Jeremiah did so,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Just put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.” Jeremiah did so.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, Put these old towels and rags under your armpits under the rope. And Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Ebed Melek the Kushite said to Jeremiah: “Put the old rags of refuse and of towels under your armpits under the rope, and Jeremiah did so”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah: 'Put now these worn clouts and rags under thine armholes under the cords.' And Jeremiah did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said, Put these under the ropes. And Jeremias did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=11887" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/38.htm">Jeremiah Rescued</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Then Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the king’s palace, to a place below the storehouse. From there he took old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5663.htm" title="5663: ‘e·ḇeḏ-From ebed and melek; servant of a king; Ebed-Melek, a eunuch of Zedekeah."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5663.htm" title="5663: me·leḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From ebed and melek; servant of a king; Ebed-Melek, a eunuch of Zedekeah.">Ebed-melech</a> <a href="/hebrew/3569.htm" title="3569: hak·kū·šî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Cush. Patronymically from Kuwsh; a Cushite, or descendant of Cush.">the Cushite</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">cried out</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3414.htm" title="3414: yir·mə·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yirmyahuw; from ruwm and Yahh; Jah will rise; Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites.">Jeremiah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: śîm (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">“Put</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1094.htm" title="1094: bə·lō·w·’ê (N-mpc) -- Worn-out things, rags. Or blowy; from balah; rags.">these worn-out</a> <a href="/hebrew/5499.htm" title="5499: has·sə·ḥā·ḇō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A rag. From cachab; a rag.">rags</a> <a href="/hebrew/4418.htm" title="4418: wə·ham·mə·lā·ḥîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- A rag. From malach in its original sense; a rag or old garment.">and clothes</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/679.htm" title="679: ’aṣ·ṣi·lō·wṯ (N-cpc) -- A joining, joint. From 'atsal; a joint of the hand; also a party-wall.">under your arms</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏe·ḵā (N-fdc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: mit·ta·ḥaṯ (Prep-m) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2256.htm" title="2256: la·ḥă·ḇā·lîm (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin.">to pad the ropes.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3414.htm" title="3414: yir·mə·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yirmyahuw; from ruwm and Yahh; Jah will rise; Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites.">Jeremiah</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">did</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">so,</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Genesis 37:28</a></span><br />So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-7.htm">2 Kings 25:7</a></span><br />And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-34.htm">Lamentations 3:34-36</a></span><br />To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land, / to deny a man justice before the Most High, / to subvert a man in his lawsuit—of these the Lord does not approve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/40-2.htm">Psalm 40:2</a></span><br />He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-14.htm">Psalm 69:14-15</a></span><br />Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters. / Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/86-13.htm">Psalm 86:13</a></span><br />For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/130-1.htm">Psalm 130:1</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-14.htm">Isaiah 51:14</a></span><br />The captive will soon be freed; he will not die in the dungeon, and his bread will not be lacking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-9.htm">Isaiah 63:9</a></span><br />In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-7.htm">Ezekiel 3:7</a></span><br />But the house of Israel will be unwilling to listen to you, since they are unwilling to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is hard-headed and hard-hearted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-11.htm">Matthew 12:11</a></span><br />He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Matthew 18:12-14</a></span><br />What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-5.htm">Luke 14:5</a></span><br />And He asked them, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13</a></span><br />Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9-10</a></span><br />Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under your armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.</p><p class="hdg">Put.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/12-10.htm">Romans 12:10,15</a></b></br> <i>Be</i> kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm">Ephesians 4:32</a></b></br> And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/13-18.htm">Armholes</a> <a href="/exodus/39-7.htm">Arm-Holes</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-9.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-29.htm">Bits</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-22.htm">Cloth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/36-24.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Clouts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-10.htm">Cushite</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-26.htm">Decayed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Ebedmelech</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Ebed-Melech</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">E'bed-Mel'ech</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-10.htm">Ethiopian</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Jeremiah</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Rags</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Ropes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Rotten</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Worn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Worn-Out</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/13-18.htm">Armholes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-18.htm">Arm-Holes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-3.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-11.htm">Bits</a> <a href="/jeremiah/41-7.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-10.htm">Cloth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/41-5.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Clouts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-13.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/jeremiah/39-16.htm">Cushite</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-7.htm">Decayed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/39-16.htm">Ebedmelech</a> <a href="/jeremiah/39-16.htm">Ebed-Melech</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-7.htm">E'bed-Mel'ech</a> <a href="/jeremiah/39-16.htm">Ethiopian</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-33.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-13.htm">Jeremiah</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-11.htm">Rags</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-13.htm">Ropes</a> <a href="/hosea/5-12.htm">Rotten</a> <a href="/jeremiah/45-3.htm">Worn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-43.htm">Worn-Out</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 38</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/38-1.htm">Jeremiah, by a false suggestion, is put into the dungeon of Malchiah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/38-7.htm">Ebed-Melech, by suit, gets him some enlargement.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/38-14.htm">Upon secret conference, he counsels the king by yielding to save his life.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/38-24.htm">By the king's instructions he conceals the conference from the princes.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/38.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/38.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah</b><br>Ebed-melech, whose name means "servant of the king," was a Cushite, indicating he was from the region of Cush, often associated with modern-day Sudan or Ethiopia. This highlights the diverse ethnic backgrounds present in the biblical narrative and God's use of individuals from various nations. Ebed-melech's actions demonstrate courage and compassion, as he intervenes on behalf of Jeremiah, who was unjustly imprisoned. His role as a foreigner in the royal court of Judah underscores the theme of God's concern for justice and righteousness, regardless of nationality. This moment also foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan, as seen in the New Testament.<p><b>“Put these worn-out rags and clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.”</b><br>The use of "worn-out rags and clothes" suggests a resourceful and compassionate approach to rescuing Jeremiah. Ebed-melech's instruction to use these materials to pad the ropes indicates a concern for Jeremiah's well-being, preventing injury during his extraction from the cistern. This act of kindness reflects the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor and caring for those in distress. The imagery of worn-out garments can also symbolize humility and the lowly state of God's prophets, who often faced persecution and hardship. This scene parallels the humility of Christ, who took on the form of a servant and endured suffering for the sake of others.<p><b>Jeremiah did so</b><br>Jeremiah's compliance with Ebed-melech's instructions demonstrates his trust and willingness to accept help, even from unexpected sources. This moment of cooperation highlights the importance of community and support in times of trial. Jeremiah's obedience also reflects his character as a faithful servant of God, willing to endure hardship for the sake of his prophetic mission. This act of deliverance can be seen as a type of Christ's own deliverance from death, as Jeremiah is lifted from the pit, foreshadowing Christ's resurrection and victory over the grave.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies of judgment and hope. In this context, he is imprisoned in a cistern.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/ebed-melech.htm">Ebed-melech</a></b><br>A Cushite servant in the king's palace who shows compassion and courage by rescuing Jeremiah from the cistern. His name means "servant of the king."<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cistern.htm">Cistern</a></b><br>A pit or well used to collect water, often used as a prison in ancient times. Jeremiah was thrown into one as punishment for his prophecies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_zedekiah.htm">King Zedekiah</a></b><br>The last king of Judah, under whose reign Jerusalem fell to Babylon. He is indirectly involved in Jeremiah's imprisonment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, under siege by the Babylonians during this event.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_compassion.htm">Courage in Compassion</a></b><br>Ebed-melech's actions demonstrate the courage required to stand up for what is right, even when it involves personal risk. Believers are called to act justly and show mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_providence.htm">God's Providence</a></b><br>This passage illustrates God's providence in using unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes. Trust that God can use anyone to accomplish His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_wisdom.htm">Practical Wisdom</a></b><br>Ebed-melech's use of old rags to protect Jeremiah shows practical wisdom and care. Believers should seek to be thoughtful and considerate in their actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_rewarded.htm">Faithfulness Rewarded</a></b><br>Ebed-melech's faithfulness is later rewarded by God. This encourages believers to remain faithful, knowing that God sees and rewards our actions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_38.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 38</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jer._10_12_align_with_cosmology.htm">Jeremiah 10:12: How can this claim that God 'stretched out the heavens' align with scientific cosmology regarding the universe's expansion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jer._38_17-23_contradict_repentance.htm">In Jeremiah 38:17-23, why does the prophecy of doom seem to contradict other biblical passages where repentance and prayer avert catastrophe?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_mention_ethiopian_gifts_in_isaiah_18_7.htm">Isaiah 18:7: Why would the prophecy single out gifts from Ethiopia if there's no clear historical account of such tribute being delivered to Mount Zion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_2_kings_25_8_and_jer_52_12.htm">In 2 Kings 25:8, the city falls on the seventh day of the fifth month, while Jeremiah 52:12 reports the tenth day--how can these differing dates be reconciled?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Ebed-melech</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֨לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5663.htm">Strong's 5663: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ebed-melech -- 'servant of a king', an official under King Zedekiah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Cushite</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכּוּשִׁ֜י</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kū·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3569.htm">Strong's 3569: </a> </span><span class="str2">Cushite -- descendant of Cush</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cried out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֡אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jeremiah,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yir·mə·yā·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3414.htm">Strong's 3414: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Put</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׂ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(śîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">these worn-out</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלוֹאֵ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·lō·w·’ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1094.htm">Strong's 1094: </a> </span><span class="str2">Worn-out things, rags</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rags</span><br /><span class="heb">הַסְּחָב֤וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(has·sə·ḥā·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5499.htm">Strong's 5499: </a> </span><span class="str2">A rag</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and clothes</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַמְּלָחִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ham·mə·lā·ḥîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4418.htm">Strong's 4418: </a> </span><span class="str2">A rag, old garment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under your arms</span><br /><span class="heb">אַצִּל֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(’aṣ·ṣi·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_679.htm">Strong's 679: </a> </span><span class="str2">A joint of the hand, a party-wall</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to pad the ropes.”</span><br /><span class="heb">לַחֲבָלִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(la·ḥă·ḇā·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2256.htm">Strong's 2256: </a> </span><span class="str2">A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jeremiah</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yir·mə·yā·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3414.htm">Strong's 3414: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֥עַשׂ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘aś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so,</span><br /><span class="heb">כֵּֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(kên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> </span><span class="str2">So -- thus</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/38-12.htm">Jeremiah 38:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/38-12.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:12 Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah Put (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 38:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 38:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/38-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 38:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 38:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>