Jeremiah 38 13

Jeremiah 38:13 kjv

So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

Jeremiah 38:13 nkjv

So they pulled Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the dungeon. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

Jeremiah 38:13 niv

and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

Jeremiah 38:13 esv

Then they drew Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

Jeremiah 38:13 nlt

they pulled him out. So Jeremiah was returned to the courtyard of the guard ? the palace prison ? where he remained.

Jeremiah 38 verses

Jeremiah 38 13 meaning

Jeremiah 38:13 details the successful rescue of the prophet Jeremiah from the muddy cistern where he faced certain death. Carried out by Ebed-Melech and his men using ropes, Jeremiah was physically pulled out of the dire pit. The verse concludes by stating that he was then placed back in the court of the guard, a form of imprisonment he had endured previously, indicating a significant but not complete liberation from his confinement and tribulations.

Jeremiah 38 13 Context

Jeremiah 38:13 takes place during the final desperate days of the Kingdom of Judah, as Babylon besieges Jerusalem. Jeremiah, as God's prophet, has been proclaiming a deeply unpopular message: surrender to Babylon and trust in God's plan, rather than resisting and seeking aid from Egypt. His counsel is seen as treasonous by the Judean officials. In Jeremiah 38:1-6, these officials accuse Jeremiah and persuade the weak King Zedekiah to allow Jeremiah to be thrown into a muddy cistern belonging to Malchiah. This was a death sentence, as he would surely starve or sink in the mire. Verses 7-10 recount the heroic intervention of Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch serving in the palace, who appeals to King Zedekiah. The king, showing a rare moment of compassion or perhaps fear of divine retribution, grants permission for Jeremiah's rescue. Verses 11-12 describe Ebed-Melech's practical and compassionate efforts, using old rags and ropes to cushion and extract Jeremiah. Thus, verse 13 marks the immediate result of this heroic rescue, moving Jeremiah from certain death in the cistern to the less lethal, but still restrictive, environment of the court of the guard, where he had been imprisoned before.

Jeremiah 38 13 Word analysis

• So they drew up: (וַיִּמְשְׁכוּ, vayyimsheku) From the Hebrew root mashach (מָשַׁךְ), meaning "to draw, pull, drag." This active verb highlights the physical effort required. It was not self-rescue; external intervention was critical, signifying God often uses human instruments for His deliverance.
• Jeremiah: (יִרְמְיָהוּ, Yirmeyahu) The prophet's name means "The Lord lifts up" or "The Lord appoints/casts." This specific context ironically emphasizes his physical "lifting up" by human hands, echoing the spiritual sustenance the Lord provides him throughout his trials.
• with ropes: (בַּחֲבָלִים, bakhávalim) "Ropes" or "cords." These were the physical means of extraction. In Jeremiah 38:11-12, old rags were added under the ropes to protect Jeremiah, highlighting a specific, compassionate detail in the rescue operation. Ropes can be for binding or for saving; here they are instruments of salvation.
• and lifted him out: (וַיַּעֲלוּהוּ, vayya`aluhu) From the root `alah (עָלָה), "to go up, ascend, bring up." This emphasizes the vertical movement from the depth of the cistern to the ground, a reversal of his previous descent into dire peril.
• of the cistern: (מִן־הַבּוֹר, min-habbor) Habbor (הַבּוֹר), meaning "the pit" or "the cistern." A cistern was typically a deep, unlined pit for collecting rainwater. This particular one was described as muddy (Jer 38:6), symbolizing a place of utter helplessness, isolation, and near-death, a metaphor for great tribulation.
• And Jeremiah remained: (וַיֵּשֶׁב יִרְמְיָהוּ, vayyeshev Yirmeyahu) Yashav (יָשַׁב), meaning "to sit, dwell, remain, inhabit." This indicates a settled, though not free, state. It suggests a cessation of immediate danger but a continuation of his general situation, demonstrating the endurance required for his ministry.
• in the court of the guard: (בַּחֲצַר הַמַּטָּרָה, bakhachar hammattarah) Chazar (חָצֵר) is a "court" or "enclosure," and mattarah (מַטָּרָה) denotes "watch" or "guard-post," hence "the court of the guardhouse/prison." This was a common place for high-profile prisoners. It offered better conditions than the cistern – provision for basic needs and access to visitors – but it was still captivity. It also points to the continued, unresolved political tension in Judah.

• So they drew up Jeremiah... of the cistern: This phrase captures the physical, collective act of salvation orchestrated by Ebed-Melech. It underscores the severity of Jeremiah's situation and the urgency and difficulty of his rescue. This deliverance points to the steadfast faithfulness of God towards His servant, using unexpected means.
• And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard: This indicates a significant alleviation of suffering, from certain death to confined living, but not total freedom. It sets the stage for Jeremiah's continued prophetic activities and conversations with Zedekiah, despite his captivity, highlighting that God's word is not bound.

Jeremiah 38 13 Bonus section

• Ebed-Melech's compassionate and courageous act of interceding for Jeremiah and overseeing his rescue (Jer 38:7-13) is explicitly rewarded by God in Jeremiah 39:15-18. God promises to save Ebed-Melech from the coming Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, acknowledging his trust in the Lord and his action on behalf of Jeremiah. This underscores the biblical principle that mercy shown to God's servants is noticed and honored by God Himself.
• The contrast between the literal "cistern" (bor) and the "court of the guard" (chatzar hammattarah) symbolizes the varying intensities of suffering experienced by the prophet. The cistern represented isolation, physical torment, and certain death by starvation or sinking. The court of the guard, though still a prison, afforded sustenance, limited social interaction, and safety from the more extreme threats. This illustrates degrees of divine mercy and protection amidst prolonged tribulation.
• Jeremiah's rescue, occurring through human effort (Ebed-Melech's planning, the 30 men, ropes, and rags), is a profound example of God working through ordinary means and faithful individuals, rather than always resorting to direct miraculous intervention. It emphasizes the importance of human obedience and compassion in God's redemptive plans.

Jeremiah 38 13 Commentary

Jeremiah 38:13 is a testament to God's providence, orchestrating a rescue for His faithful prophet through the compassionate courage of an unlikely figure, Ebed-Melech. The act of "drawing up" Jeremiah from the fatal "cistern" vividly illustrates deliverance from the brink of death, showcasing how God intervenes in seemingly hopeless situations, often using human instruments. While it represents a profound rescue from immediate peril, Jeremiah's subsequent "remaining in the court of the guard" serves as a stark reminder that tribulation often has degrees, not just a clear end. He was saved from death, but not from suffering or confinement. This continued imprisonment highlights the unwavering opposition to God's message and the prophet's steadfast endurance in fulfilling his divine calling even in restricted circumstances. It reassures that even when total freedom isn't granted, God ensures His servants have what they need to continue their ministry, reaffirming that God is actively involved in sustaining His messengers amidst persecution.