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◄ Jeremiah 38:10►

New International Version
Then the king commanded Ebed-Melek the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”

New Living Translation
So the king told Ebed-melech, “Take thirty of my men with you, and pull Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies.”

English Standard Version
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Take thirty men with you from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take from here thirty men with you, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he dies.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take thirty men from here under your authority and bring Jeremiah the prophet up from the cistern before he dies.”

NASB 1995
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take thirty men from here under your authority and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies.”

NASB 1977
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take thirty men from here under your authority, and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take in your hand thirty men from here and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies.”

Amplified Bible
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”

Christian Standard Bible
So the king commanded Ebed-melech, the Cushite, “Take from here thirty men under your authority and pull the prophet Jeremiah up from the cistern before he dies.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the king commanded Ebed-melech, the Cushite, “Take from here 30 men under your authority and pull Jeremiah the prophet up from the cistern before he dies.”

American Standard Version
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.

Contemporary English Version
Zedekiah answered, "Take 30 of my soldiers and pull Jeremiah out before he dies."

English Revised Version
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the king gave Ebed Melech from Sudan this command: "Take 30 men from here, and lift the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies."

Good News Translation
Then the king ordered Ebedmelech to take with him three men and to pull me out of the well before I died.

International Standard Version
Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Ethiopian: "Thirty men are at your disposal. Take them with you and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies."

NET Bible
Then the king gave Ebed Melech the Ethiopian the following order: "Take thirty men with you from here and go pull the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies."

New Heart English Bible
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."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he dieth.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

World English Bible
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.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the king commands Ebed-Melech the Cushite, saying, “Take with you thirty men from here, and you have brought up Jeremiah the prophet from the pit, before he dies.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king commandeth Ebed-Melech the Cushite, saying, 'Take with thee from this thirty men, and thou hast brought up Jeremiah the prophet from the pit, before he dieth.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will command the king's servant the Cushite, saying, Take in thy hand from here thirty men, and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the pit before he shall die.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the king commanded Abdemelech the Ethiopian, saying: Take from hence thirty men with thee, end draw up Jeremias the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so the king instructed Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian, saying: “Take with you thirty men from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet from the pit, before he dies.”

New American Bible
Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Ethiopian: “Take three men with you, and get Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Take three men with you from here, and pull the prophet Jeremiah up from the cistern before he dies.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from here thirty men with you, and go and draw up Jeremiah out of the well before he dies.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King commanded EbedMelek the Kushite and said to him: “Take thirty men with you from here, and go bring up Jeremiah from the well before he dies”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying: 'Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the pit, before he die.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king commanded Abdemelech, saying, Take with thee hence thirty men, and bring him up out of the dungeon, that he die not.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jeremiah Rescued
…9“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.”10So 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.”11Then 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.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Jeremiah 37:21
So King Zedekiah gave orders for Jeremiah to be placed in the courtyard of the guard and given a loaf of bread daily from the street of the bakers, until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

Jeremiah 39:11-12
Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, saying, / “Take him, look after him, and do not let any harm come to him; do for him whatever he says.”

2 Kings 25:27-30
On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Judah’s King Jehoiachin, in the year Evil-merodach became king of Babylon, he released King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. / And he spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and set his throne above the thrones of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. / So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he dined regularly at the king’s table for the rest of his life. ...

2 Kings 25:1-7
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. / And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. / By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food. ...

2 Chronicles 36:11-13
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD. / He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Lamentations 3:34-36
To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land, / to deny a man justice before the Most High, / to subvert a man in his lawsuit—of these the Lord does not approve.

Isaiah 37:6-7
who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. / Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”

Isaiah 38:5-6
“Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. / And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

Ezekiel 12:13
But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.

Ezekiel 17:15-18
But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ / ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. / Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. ...

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

Acts 23:23-24
Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night. / Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”

Acts 24:23
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.

Acts 25:4-5
But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. / So if this man has done anything wrong, let some of your leaders come down with me and accuse him there.”

Acts 27:43
But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

Treasury of Scripture

Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.

the king.

Esther 5:2
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court,that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre thatwas in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

Esther 8:7
Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

Psalm 75:10
All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off;but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

with thee.

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Jeremiah 38

1.Jeremiah, by a false suggestion, is put into the dungeon of Malchiah.
7.Ebed-Melech, by suit, gets him some enlargement.
14.Upon secret conference, he counsels the king by yielding to save his life.
24.By the king's instructions he conceals the conference from the princes.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

So the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite
Ebed-melech, whose name means "servant of the king," was a Cushite, indicating he was from the region of Cush, often associated with modern-day Sudan or Ethiopia. His position in the royal court suggests a level of trust and responsibility, despite his foreign origin. This highlights the inclusivity of God's work, as He uses individuals from diverse backgrounds to fulfill His purposes. The king in question is Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, who was often indecisive and swayed by his officials. This command shows a moment of courage and justice, as Ebed-melech advocates for Jeremiah, who was unjustly imprisoned.

“Take thirty men from here with you
The number thirty may indicate the seriousness of the task or the potential resistance they might face. It underscores the danger and urgency of the mission to rescue Jeremiah. The presence of thirty men also suggests the cistern was in a public or guarded area, requiring a significant force to ensure the prophet's safe extraction. This reflects the political tension and fear of backlash from those who opposed Jeremiah's prophecies.

and pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern
Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," was thrown into a cistern for his prophecies against Jerusalem, which were seen as demoralizing during the Babylonian siege. The cistern, likely a deep pit used to collect rainwater, was muddy and could lead to death by starvation or drowning. This act of pulling him out symbolizes deliverance and God's protection over His prophets. It also prefigures the resurrection theme, where God's chosen are lifted from the pit of despair or death.

before he dies.”
The urgency in the king's command highlights the dire situation Jeremiah was in. It reflects the value of life and the importance of preserving the voice of God's prophet. This moment of rescue can be seen as a divine intervention, ensuring that Jeremiah's mission and message continue. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His servants, even in the darkest times. The phrase echoes the biblical theme of God delivering His people from death, as seen in the stories of Joseph, Daniel, and ultimately, Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events

1.King Zedekiah
The last king of Judah, who reigned during the time of the Babylonian siege. He is depicted as a weak leader, often swayed by his officials but occasionally showing concern for Jeremiah.

2.Ebed-melech the Cushite
A foreigner and a servant in the king's palace, Ebed-melech demonstrates courage and compassion by advocating for Jeremiah's release from the cistern.

3.Jeremiah the Prophet
Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to Judah. At this point, he is imprisoned in a cistern, facing death.

4.The Cistern
A pit or well used to store water, which in this context, becomes a place of imprisonment and potential death for Jeremiah.

5.The Thirty Men
These men were commanded by King Zedekiah to assist Ebed-melech in rescuing Jeremiah, indicating the seriousness of the task and the potential resistance they might face.

Teaching Points

Courage in Advocacy
Ebed-melech's actions teach us the importance of standing up for justice and righteousness, even when it involves personal risk.

Divine Providence
Jeremiah's rescue from the cistern is a testament to God's protection and faithfulness to His servants, reminding us that God is in control even in dire circumstances.

The Role of Outsiders
Ebed-melech, a foreigner, plays a crucial role in God's plan, illustrating that God can use anyone, regardless of their background, to fulfill His purposes.

Leadership and Responsibility
King Zedekiah's decision to rescue Jeremiah, albeit under pressure, shows the impact of leadership choices and the importance of listening to wise counsel.

Faith in Action
The account encourages believers to act on their faith, demonstrating that true faith often requires taking bold steps to help others.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Jeremiah 38:10?

2.How does Jeremiah 38:10 demonstrate God's provision through human authority figures?

3.What can we learn about courage from Ebed-melech's actions in Jeremiah 38:10?

4.How does Jeremiah 38:10 connect with God's protection promises in Psalm 91?

5.In what ways can we advocate for justice like Ebed-melech today?

6.How can we trust God's timing in difficult situations, as seen in Jeremiah 38:10?

7.Why did King Zedekiah command Ebed-melech to rescue Jeremiah in Jeremiah 38:10?

8.How does Jeremiah 38:10 reflect God's protection over His prophets?

9.What does Jeremiah 38:10 reveal about the role of courage in faith?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 38?

11.Who are the Cushites mentioned in the Bible?

12.In Jeremiah 38:17-23, why does the prophecy of doom seem to contradict other biblical passages where repentance and prayer avert catastrophe?

13.In Jeremiah 38:15-16, how reliable is the account of a secret meeting between Jeremiah and King Zedekiah when both sides had clear motives to document or distort events?

14.Jeremiah 1:10 - Why is there no clear historical record of Jeremiah achieving the massive global influence implied in this verse?

What Does Jeremiah 38:10 Mean

So the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite

“So the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite …” (Jeremiah 38:10a)

• Zedekiah, though a weak ruler, is still God’s ordained authority (Romans 13:1); his order matters.

• God often raises unexpected servants—here a foreign eunuch—to defend His prophet (compareRuth 2:10–12;Acts 8:27).

• Ebed-melech’s previous plea (Jeremiah 38:7–9) shows courageous faith; God rewards that courage with royal favor (Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD”).

Take thirty men from here with you

“… ‘Take thirty men from here with you …’ ” (Jeremiah 38:10b)

• Thirty soldiers underscore the danger: rescuing Jeremiah risks confrontation with the princes who imprisoned him (Jeremiah 38:4).

• Ample manpower ensures success and deters opposition—wisdom in planning (Nehemiah 4:13–14).

• God provides resources equal to the task He assigns (Philippians 4:19).

And pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern

“… ‘and pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern …’ ” (Jeremiah 38:10c)

• Jeremiah is explicitly called “the prophet,” affirming his divine office despite popular rejection (Jeremiah 1:5;Matthew 5:12).

• Physical deliverance safeguards the continued proclamation of God’s word (Jeremiah 1:17–19;Acts 23:11).

• The cistern—muddy, desolate, lifethreatening—pictures how God’s servants may suffer yet never be abandoned (Psalm 40:2;2 Corinthians 4:8–9).

Before he dies

“… ‘before he dies.’ ” (Jeremiah 38:10d)

• The urgency shows that human life is precious and must be protected (Genesis 9:6;Proverbs 24:11).

• God limits the harm His enemies can do to His messengers (Job 1:12;Psalm 31:15).

• Deliverance here foreshadowsJeremiah 39:15–18, where God promises Ebed-melech his own rescue—obedience brings blessing (1 Samuel 2:30).

summary

Jeremiah 38:10 records God working through a hesitant king, a bold foreigner, and strategic provision to save His prophet from certain death. The verse teaches: God directs even weak rulers, raises unlikely champions, supplies adequate help, values life, and preserves His word by preserving His servant.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10)Take from hence thirty men.--The number seems a large one for the purpose, especially when we consider that the men were sent from a post from which they could ill be spared, but the king may have wished to guard against resistance on the part of the princes. Hitzig, however, conjectures that "three men" was the original reading of the Hebrew text.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 10. -Thirty men. Why so many were sent is not clear. Are we to suppose that the princes would resist Jeremiah's release? But "the king is not he," etc. (ver. 5). Is it not a scribe's error for "three" (so Ewald, Hitzig, and Graf)?

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A king

commanded
וַיְצַוֶּ֣ה(way·ṣaw·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680:To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

Ebed-melech
מֶ֥לֶךְ(me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5663:Ebed-melech -- 'servant of a king', an official under King Zedekiah

the Cushite,
הַכּוּשִׁ֖י(hak·kū·šî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3569:Cushite -- descendant of Cush

“Take
קַ֣ח(qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947:To take

thirty
שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים(šə·lō·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7970:Thirty, thirtieth

men
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים(’ă·nā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male person

from
מִן־(min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out of

here
מִזֶּה֙(miz·zeh)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, that

with you
בְּיָדְךָ֤(bə·yā·ḏə·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027:A hand

and pull
וְֽהַעֲלִ֜יתָ(wə·ha·‘ă·lî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, actively

Jeremiah
יִרְמְיָ֧הוּ(yir·mə·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3414:Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites

the prophet
הַנָּבִ֛יא(han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030:A spokesman, speaker, prophet

out of the cistern
הַבּ֖וֹר(hab·bō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 953:A pit, cistern, well

before
בְּטֶ֥רֶם(bə·ṭe·rem)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 2962:Non-occurrence, not yet, before

he dies.”
יָמֽוּת׃(yā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191:To die, to kill

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:10 Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian (Jer.)