Keraia
People

Ebed-melech

Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian eunuch in King Zedekiah's service, rescued the prophet Jeremiah from a cistern and was promised safety by God for his faith.

The name Ebed-melech means “the king's servant”

MaleDivided Monarchy eraOld Testament1 book10 verses

Summary

A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jeremiah 38:7; only referred to as Ebed-melech (עֶ֫בֶד מֶ֫לֶךְ).

Glossary entries

Ebed-Melech

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 4 verses that refer to Ebed-melech without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Jeremiah 38:7
    Now Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin,
  2. Jeremiah 38:8
    Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king,
  3. Jeremiah 38:9Referred to, not named
    “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.”
  4. Jeremiah 38:10
    So the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”
  5. Jeremiah 38:11
    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.
  6. Jeremiah 38:12
    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,
  7. Jeremiah 38:13Referred to, not named
    …and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.
  8. Jeremiah 39:16
    “Go and tell Ebed-melech the Cushite that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to fulfill My words against this city for harm and not for good, and on that day they will be fulfilled before your eyes.
  9. Jeremiah 39:17Referred to, not named
    But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you will not be delivered into the hands of the men whom you fear.
  10. Jeremiah 39:18Referred to, not named
    For I will surely rescue you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in Me, you will escape with your life like a spoil of war, declares the LORD.’”