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Jeremiah 39:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 39:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Go, and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished before thee in that day.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Go, and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished before thee in that day.
Jeremiah 39:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 39

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushazban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon;
14they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
15Now the word of Jehovah came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying,
16Go, and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished before thee in that day.
17But I will deliver thee in that day, saith Jehovah; and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.
18For I will surely save thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee; because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith Jehovah.
← Jeremiah 39:15Jeremiah 39:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopians, etc.] Not that the prophet was to go, or could go, out of prison, to deliver this message to Ebedmelech; but that he should, as he had opportunity, acquaint him with it; either by writing to him, or by word of mouth, when he should visit him; for no doubt he sometimes did, having so great a respect for the prophet: saying, thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; whom Ebedmelech, though an Ethiopian, served; being a proselyte, and a good man; and therefore would listen unto and believe what came from him: behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; meaning the prophecies delivered out by Jeremiah, which…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Go--not literally, for he was in confinement, but figuratively. before thee--in thy sight.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Ebedmelech: Jer 38:7-13 Behold: Jer 5:14, Jer 19:11, Jer 19:12, Jer 21:7-10, Jer 24:8-10, Jer 26:15, Jer 26:18, Jer 26:20, Jer 32:28, Jer 32:29, Jer 34:2, Jer 34:3, Jer 34:22; Jer 35:17, Jer 36:31, Jer 44:28, Jer 44:29; Jos 23:14, Jos 23:15; Ch2 36:21; Dan 9:12; Zac 1:6; Mat 24:35 before thee: Psa 91:8, Psa 91:9, Psa 92:11 Jeremiah 39:17”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 39 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification