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 38:13KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 38:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 38:13 mean?

Jeremiah 38:13 describes how Jeremiah was lifted out of a dungeon using cords and then kept in the court of the prison. The verse shows that Jeremiah was rescued from a dangerous and miserable place but was still not given full freedom—he remained under guard.

This event happens in Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege. Jeremiah, a prophet, had been thrown into a muddy cistern (the "dungeon") by officials who opposed his message. Some officials, led by Ebed-melech, convinced the king to let them rescue Jeremiah. After pulling him up with cords, they did not release him completely but moved him to a safer part of the prison area, known as the court of the guard.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 38:13

  • cords (חֲבָלִים, ḥăvālîm): This word refers to ropes or cords. The use of cords highlights the practical and careful effort needed to lift Jeremiah out of the muddy pit without harming him further.
  • dungeon (הַבּוֹר, habbôr): This word often means a pit or cistern, not a built prison cell. It emphasizes the dire and life-threatening conditions Jeremiah faced, as these pits could be deep and filled with mud.
  • court (חָצֵר, ḥāṣēr): This refers to an open area within the prison complex. Moving Jeremiah here meant he was still confined but no longer in immediate danger.

Why Jeremiah 38:13 matters

  • Jeremiah 38:13 clarifies that Jeremiah’s rescue was only partial—he was saved from death but not from imprisonment, showing the ongoing tension between his safety and the authorities’ suspicion.
  • The verse highlights the compassion and courage of those who helped Jeremiah, especially in a time of political danger.
  • Understanding the physical setting (from a muddy pit to a guarded courtyard) helps readers grasp the real risks and hardships Jeremiah endured for his prophetic mission.

Where else these words appear

“prison” Hebrew H4307 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Samuel 20:20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
  • Jeremiah 32:2 For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
  • Jeremiah 38:6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

“up” Hebrew H4900 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
  • Nehemiah 9:30 Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
  • Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:

“cords” Hebrew H2256 · used in 58 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:4 And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
  • Job 18:10 The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

“dungeon” Hebrew H953 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Jeremiah 6:7 As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.