Bible Chapter Summary
Jeremiah 38 Summary
Jeremiah in the Pit, Ebed-melech Rescues
Princes demand Jeremiah's death, saying his warnings weaken the city's defense. Zedekiah lets them throw him into a mire-filled dungeon to die. Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch in the king's house, rescues him with old rags and cords. Zedekiah secretly asks Jeremiah's counsel, who urges him to surrender to save his life and the city from fire.
Key themes
Key verses
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.”
Jeremiah 38:9
“My 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 for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.”
Jeremiah 38:17
“Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:”
Jeremiah 38:18
“But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.”
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