Jeremiah 38:12 kjv
And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.
Jeremiah 38:12 nkjv
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.
Jeremiah 38:12 niv
Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, "Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes." Jeremiah did so,
Jeremiah 38:12 esv
Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, "Put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes." Jeremiah did so.
Jeremiah 38:12 nlt
Ebed-melech called down to Jeremiah, "Put these rags under your armpits to protect you from the ropes." Then when Jeremiah was ready,
Jeremiah 38 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 26:12 | But build me first the house of the LORD your God, and prepare a place... | Command to rebuild |
| Jeremiah 37:15-16 | Then Jeremiah went into the dungeon of the scribe's house... | Jeremiah imprisoned again |
| Jeremiah 38:6 | So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah... | Jeremiah cast into cistern |
| Jeremiah 38:7 | Now Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs in the king's house... | Ebed-melech hears Jeremiah's cry |
| Jeremiah 38:8-9 | Ebed-melech went out of the king's house and spoke to the king... | Ebed-melech appeals to the king |
| Jeremiah 38:10-11 | And the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying... | King commands Ebed-melech |
| Jeremiah 38:13 | So they pulled Jeremiah up with ropes and took him out of the cistern... | Jeremiah is rescued |
| Jeremiah 38:14-28 | And Jeremiah still remained in the court of the guard... | Jeremiah's further dealings |
| Psalm 119:89-90 | Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. | God's word is sure |
| Isaiah 41:17 | When the poor and needy seek water, and there is no water, and their... | God hears the oppressed |
| Matthew 5:7 | Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. | Mercy of God |
| Luke 6:36 | Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. | Call to be merciful |
| John 13:34-35 | A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you... | Christian love and action |
| Acts 4:19-20 | Peter and John replied, "Which is right in God's sight: to obey you... | Obeying God rather than men |
| Galatians 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is... | Unity in Christ |
| Colossians 3:10-12 | and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge... | Putting on the new self |
| 1 Peter 2:17 | Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers... | Respect for all |
| 1 Peter 4:8-10 | Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude... | Love one another fervently |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own... | Trust and guidance |
| Jeremiah 38:2 | Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Thus shall you say... | God's message to Israel |
Jeremiah 38 verses
Jeremiah 38 12 Meaning
This verse signifies an act of mercy and disobedience on the part of Ebed-Melech. He intervenes to save Jeremiah from certain death by starvation, acting out of compassion despite the official decree to let Jeremiah perish.
Jeremiah 38 12 Context
This verse occurs within the broader context of Jeremiah's ministry during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The city is in turmoil, and many officials want Jeremiah silenced, viewing his prophecies as treasonous. Jeremiah has been cast into a cistern by princes who oppose him. Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian eunuch serving in King Zedekiah's court, hears of Jeremiah's plight. The chapter details his courageous actions to save Jeremiah from death, showing a contrast between those who persecuted Jeremiah and those who showed compassion.
Jeremiah 38 12 Word Analysis
- Ebed-Melech: Literally "Servant of the King." He was an Ethiopian (Kushite) official, indicating the presence of foreigners and the multi-ethnic nature of Judah's society, even within its leadership. His status as a eunuch is mentioned, which might have societal implications but doesn't diminish his courage or God's use of him.
- the Ethiopian: Refers to his geographic origin from the land of Cush (Ethiopia). This detail is significant as it highlights that compassion and action for God's prophet were not limited by ethnicity or national origin.
- one of the eunuchs: Indicates his position within the king's household. This may imply he was a courtier or an administrative official.
- in the king's house: Signifies his proximity to royal power and his access to King Zedekiah.
- heard: This denotes Ebed-melech being aware of Jeremiah's dire situation. It implies listening and processing the information.
- Jeremiah as he sat: "Sat" (Hebrew: yashab) in this context doesn't imply comfortable rest, but a state of being confined or situated within the cistern.
- in the house of the king: Referring back to the dungeon, which was within a structure associated with the king's command or property.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs in the king's house": This descriptive phrase establishes the identity and position of the rescuer, emphasizing his role within the royal court. His identity as Ethiopian and eunuch might have made him an outsider in some ways, yet he is presented as a key agent of divine intervention.
- "heard Jeremiah as he sat in the house of the king": This clause points to Ebed-melech's awareness of Jeremiah's suffering. The phrase "house of the king" is used here, possibly referring to a place within the palace complex or a king's property that housed the cistern, highlighting the royal involvement (even if indirectly by those who threw him in).
Jeremiah 38 12 Bonus Section
Ebed-melech's faithfulness is acknowledged by God later in Jeremiah 39:15-18, where God promises that he will not face the destruction of Jerusalem but will be saved because he trusted in the LORD. This highlights a divine accounting for acts of kindness and obedience performed for God's people. His courage also serves as a counterpoint to the fear and cowardice displayed by others in leadership during Jerusalem's fall. His personal testimony, rescued by God through Ebed-melech, emphasizes that God is sovereignly working even in the darkest of times.
Jeremiah 38 12 Commentary
Ebed-melech's decisive action is a powerful example of acting with faith and compassion in a corrupt environment. He demonstrates courage by approaching the king, demonstrating that faith often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and speak truth to power, even when it's difficult. His intervention underscores God's concern for His suffering prophets and His ability to raise up unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes. This act of mercy towards Jeremiah foreshadows a deeper truth: that God's love and salvation extend to all people, regardless of their background or social standing, a theme powerfully exemplified in the New Testament.