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Jeremiah 38

Jeremiah 38:12

Jeremiah Cast into the Cistern · Jeremiah 38:1–28
Read Jeremiah 38

Translations

Modern
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,
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah: “Please put worn-out clothes and rags under the joints of your arms, under the cords.” And Jeremiah did so.
Latin
Dixitque Abdemelech Æthiops ad Jeremiam: Pone veteres pannos, et hæc scissa et putrida, sub cubito manuum tuarum, et super funes. Fecit ergo Jeremias sic,

Original

Hebrew
English
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,

Notes

Jeremiah 38:11–12

Ebed-melech, the Ethiopian rescuer (Jeremiah 38:7), was a compassionate person who wanted to protect Jeremiah's frail body as much as possible.

Jeremiah 38:1–13

Jeremiah could talk to people while in the prison courtyard. He shared the Lord's judgments, which angered some government officials. Zedekiah showed cowardice by allowing these men to put Jeremiah in a muddy cistern. However, the king showed courage when he let a palace servant rescue Jeremiah and bring him back to the palace prison.

Jeremiah 37:1–38:28

The focus now returns to Zedekiah, who became king of Judah after his nephew Jehoiachin. These chapters describe meetings between Zedekiah and Jeremiah, highlighting Zedekiah’s struggle to fully commit to God's word (compare Deuteronomy 10:12–13). Zedekiah is a classic example of a person with divided loyalty (James 1:6–8).

Events

People

Ebed-melech: Ethiopian eunuch who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern Jeremiah: Son of Hilkiah, the prophet during Judah's final days

Places

Cush: Ancient region in Africa; associated with Egypt and Babylon

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Courts and Trials Ebed-Melech Guard, Courtyard of the Jehoiachin

Topics

Christian Minister: Kindness to Ebed-Melech to Jeremiah, Ebed-Melech: Jeremiah Rescued By Ethiopia: Treats Jeremiah Kindly Eunuch: Influential Court officials God in Rescuing Jeremiah Intercession: Ebed-Melech for Jeremiah Jeremiah: The Prophet: Ebed-Melech, the Egyptian, Intercedes to the King for Him, and Secures his Release Jeremiah: The Prophet: Imprisoned by Zedekiah Prisoners: Jeremiah Prisoners: Kindness To by the Prison Guard to Jeremiah Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: Imprisons Jeremiah on Account of his Denunciations