BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 38› Verse 8

Jeremiah 38:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 38:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Ebed-melech went forth out of the king`s house, and spake to the king, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Ebed-melech went forth out of the king`s house, and spake to the king, saying,
Jeremiah 38:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 38

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand; for the king is not he that can do anything against you.
6Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchijah the king`s son, that was in the court of the guard: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire; and Jeremiah sank in the mire.
7Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king`s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin,)
8Ebed-melech went forth out of the king`s house, and spake to the king, saying,
9My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die in the place where he is, because of the famine; for there is no more bread in the city.
10Then 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.
11So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence rags and worn-out garments, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
← Jeremiah 38:7Jeremiah 38:9 →
← Full Chapter 38 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Ebedmelech went forth out of the king’s house, etc.] As soon as he heard of the prophet’s distress, he immediately went out from his apartments in the king’s palace, where he performed his office, and his business chiefly lay, or where he dwelt, to the gate of Benjamin, where the king was; and if he was here for the administration of justice, it was a proper time and place for Ebedmelech to lay the case of Jeremiah before him: and spake to the king; freely, boldly, and intrepidly, in the presence of his nobles: saying; as follows:”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“went forth . . . and spake--not privately, but in public; a proof of fearless magnanimity.”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 38 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification