Lexical Definition

‎עֶבֶד מֶלֶךְ‎ ʻEbed Melek (eh'-bed meh'-lek) Ebed-melech ^N:N-M-P
from ‎עֶבֶד‎ and ‎מֶלֶךְ‎; servant of a king

Ebed-melech.

• § Ebed-melech = "servant of the king"
• Ebed-Melek, a eunuch of Zedekeah

1) an Ethiopian eunuch in the service of king Zedekiah, through whose interference Jeremiah was released from prison

Extended Information

• A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.38.7

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎עֶ֫בֶד מֶ֫לֶךְ‎ proper name, masculine (= servant of the king, or < of (god) Melek, compare Gray^{Prop. N. 117, 147 ff.}); — Ethiopian official of Zedekiah Jer 38:7; Jer 38:8; Jer 38:10; Jer 38:11; Jer 38:12; Jer 39:16 ᵐ5 Αβδεμελεχ.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • Ethiopian eunuch who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern

Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian eunuch in King Zedekiah's service, rescued the prophet Jeremiah from a cistern and was promised safety by God for his faith. (Jer.38.7,8,10,11,12; 39.16)

• A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.38.7;
• only referred to as Ebed-melech עֶבֶד מֶלֶךְ.

Ebed-melech was an Ethiopian eunuch who served in the court of King Zedekiah during the final days of the kingdom of Judah. He played a significant role in rescuing the prophet Jeremiah from a life-threatening situation.

When Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern by the officials who opposed his prophetic message, Ebed-melech learned of the prophet's plight (Jeremiah 38:7). Recognizing the injustice of the situation, Ebed-melech courageously went to King Zedekiah and interceded on Jeremiah's behalf (Jeremiah 38:8-9).

The king granted Ebed-melech permission to rescue Jeremiah, and the Ethiopian eunuch took thirty men with him to the cistern (Jeremiah 38:10). Ebed-melech showed compassion and resourcefulness by lowering old rags and worn-out clothes for Jeremiah to use as padding under the ropes.

All entries for Ebed-melech: עֶבֶד מֶלֶךְ