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.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Jeremiah 38:10" mean?
This verse from Jeremiah 38:10 is a pivotal moment in the story of Jeremiah, and understanding its meaning requires considering the context. Here's a breakdown:
"Then the king commanded...": This refers to King Zedekiah of Judah. Zedekiah was a weak and indecisive king, torn between listening to the prophet Jeremiah and appeasing his advisors who wanted to resist Babylon.
"Ebedmelech the Ethiopian...": Ebedmelech was a eunuch (likely a foreign official) serving in the king's household. The Bible portrays him as a righteous and courageous individual who respected Jeremiah. Being an Ethiopian likely meant he was a foreigner and held a lower social status, which makes his actions even more significant.
"...Take from here thirty men with you...": The king is giving Ebedmelech an order, and the inclusion of thirty men highlights the seriousness of the situation. It suggests that the rescue might be difficult or that there was some opposition to Jeremiah's release. The number could also be for efficiency, as moving Jeremiah out of a well would be a difficult task.
"...and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he dies.": Jeremiah had been imprisoned in a muddy cistern or well (referred to as a "dungeon") because his prophecies of Jerusalem's impending fall to Babylon were seen as demoralizing to the people. He was essentially left there to die from starvation, disease, or drowning in the mud. The king's command indicates a last-minute change of heart or a realization that Jeremiah's death would be a severe injustice.
In essence, the verse means:
King Zedekiah, finally realizing the gravity of Jeremiah's situation, orders Ebedmelech, an Ethiopian official in his court, to gather thirty men and rescue Jeremiah from the muddy cistern where he was imprisoned, before he dies. This verse highlights Ebedmelech's compassion and courage, Zedekiah's wavering leadership, and the desperate situation Jeremiah was in because of his unpopular prophecies.
Key takeaways:
Intervention: This verse shows a moment of divine intervention, with Ebedmelech acting as an agent of God's mercy to save Jeremiah.
Courage: Ebedmelech's willingness to speak to the king and then carry out this rescue mission demonstrates his courage and conviction.
Hope: Even in the darkest of circumstances, there is still hope for salvation and redemption.
Zedekiah's weakness: It showcases Zedekiah's weakness. He imprisons Jeremiah to appease others but then fears the consequences of letting him die.
The verse is a turning point, leading to Jeremiah's rescue and eventual continued ministry during the siege of Jerusalem. It is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.
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.”
What does "Jeremiah 38:10" mean?
This verse from Jeremiah 38:10 is a pivotal moment in the story of Jeremiah, and understanding its meaning requires considering the context. Here's a breakdown:
"Then the king commanded...": This refers to King Zedekiah of Judah. Zedekiah was a weak and indecisive king, torn between listening to the prophet Jeremiah and appeasing his advisors who wanted to resist Babylon.
"Ebedmelech the Ethiopian...": Ebedmelech was a eunuch (likely a foreign official) serving in the king's household. The Bible portrays him as a righteous and courageous individual who respected Jeremiah. Being an Ethiopian likely meant he was a foreigner and held a lower social status, which makes his actions even more significant.
"...Take from here thirty men with you...": The king is giving Ebedmelech an order, and the inclusion of thirty men highlights the seriousness of the situation. It suggests that the rescue might be difficult or that there was some opposition to Jeremiah's release. The number could also be for efficiency, as moving Jeremiah out of a well would be a difficult task.
"...and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he dies.": Jeremiah had been imprisoned in a muddy cistern or well (referred to as a "dungeon") because his prophecies of Jerusalem's impending fall to Babylon were seen as demoralizing to the people. He was essentially left there to die from starvation, disease, or drowning in the mud. The king's command indicates a last-minute change of heart or a realization that Jeremiah's death would be a severe injustice.
In essence, the verse means:
King Zedekiah, finally realizing the gravity of Jeremiah's situation, orders Ebedmelech, an Ethiopian official in his court, to gather thirty men and rescue Jeremiah from the muddy cistern where he was imprisoned, before he dies. This verse highlights Ebedmelech's compassion and courage, Zedekiah's wavering leadership, and the desperate situation Jeremiah was in because of his unpopular prophecies.
Key takeaways:
Intervention: This verse shows a moment of divine intervention, with Ebedmelech acting as an agent of God's mercy to save Jeremiah.
Courage: Ebedmelech's willingness to speak to the king and then carry out this rescue mission demonstrates his courage and conviction.
Hope: Even in the darkest of circumstances, there is still hope for salvation and redemption.
Zedekiah's weakness: It showcases Zedekiah's weakness. He imprisons Jeremiah to appease others but then fears the consequences of letting him die.
The verse is a turning point, leading to Jeremiah's rescue and eventual continued ministry during the siege of Jerusalem. It is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.