Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;

JEREMIAH 38:7KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 38:7 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 38:7 mean?

Jeremiah 38:7 introduces the person who responds to Jeremiah’s confinement: Ebedmelech, an Ethiopian serving in the king’s household. When Ebedmelech hears what has happened, the king is sitting at the Benjamin Gate, placing him where Ebedmelech can approach him.

The previous verse describes a muddy pit where Jeremiah had been left to sink. Verse 7 shifts attention from Jeremiah inside the pit to someone outside who has heard about him. The sentence continues into verse 8, where Ebedmelech goes to speak to the king.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 38:7

  • “Ethiopian” — כּוּשִׁי (kushi): This means a person from Cush, a region south of Egypt. “Ethiopian” in the KJV points to that ancient region, rather than necessarily to the borders of modern Ethiopia.
  • “eunuchs” — סָרִיס (saris): This word can mean a eunuch or a court official. It identifies Ebedmelech as someone serving in the royal household; the title alone does not settle whether he had been physically made a eunuch.
  • “dungeon” — בּוֹר (bor): This means a pit or cistern, a hollow used to collect water. The word helps picture Jeremiah’s confinement: verse 6 says the pit had no water, but mud at the bottom.

Why Jeremiah 38:7 matters

  • Ebedmelech’s place in the king’s household helps explain how he could reach the king. Verse 8 shows him leaving the palace and speaking directly to him.
  • The king’s position at the gate is part of the scene, not just a place-name. City gates were public places where rulers could conduct business and hear concerns.
  • The verse marks a change in the account. After officials have had Jeremiah lowered into the pit, a different royal servant hears of his situation and approaches the king.

Where else these words appear

“Ebedmelech” Hebrew H5663 · used in 6 verses

  • Jeremiah 38:8 Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,
  • Jeremiah 38:10 Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.
  • Jeremiah 38:12 And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.

“Ethiopian” Hebrew H3569 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Samuel 18:21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
  • Jeremiah 38:10 Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.

“eunuchs” Hebrew H5631 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
  • 1 Chronicles 28:1 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 39:7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

“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.