What does Jeremiah 38:12 mean?
"And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so." - Jeremiah 38:12
Jeremiah 38:12 - "And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so."
Jeremiah 38:12 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so."
To fully appreciate the significance of this verse, it is important to understand the context in which it is set. The book of Jeremiah is a prophetic book that documents the messages and experiences of the prophet Jeremiah, who served as a spokesperson for God to the nation of Judah during a time of great turmoil and upheaval. In Jeremiah 38, we see Jeremiah being persecuted and falsely accused by the officials in the court of King Zedekiah, who were opposed to his prophetic message.
In the preceding verses of chapter 38, we see that Jeremiah had been thrown into a cistern by these officials as a means of silencing his prophetic warnings. Ebedmelech, an Ethiopian eunuch who served in the king's palace, recognized the injustice being done to Jeremiah and took it upon himself to intervene on Jeremiah's behalf. He went to the king and pleaded for Jeremiah's release, citing the prophet's upright character and his message of truth from the Lord.
In verse 11, we see Ebedmelech's compassion and concern for Jeremiah's well-being as he takes action to ensure Jeremiah's survival. He provides Jeremiah with rags and cloths to put under his armpits, using them to cushion the ropes when Jeremiah is lifted out of the cistern. This simple act of kindness and care by Ebedmelech provides a stark contrast to the cruelty and injustice displayed by the officials who had sought to silence Jeremiah.
Symbolically, this act of providing rags and cloths to Jeremiah can be interpreted as a demonstration of Ebedmelech's empathy and support for the prophet in his time of need. It also serves as a powerful example of how a small act of kindness and compassion can make a significant difference in the life of another person, especially in the face of adversity and persecution.
Furthermore, this verse also highlights the theme of God's faithfulness and protection towards those who remain steadfast in their commitment to him. Despite the attempts to silence Jeremiah and thwart his prophetic message, God intervenes through the actions of Ebedmelech to ensure Jeremiah's survival and deliverance from the cistern. This serves as a reminder that God is always present and active in the lives of his faithful servants, providing for their needs and offering them hope even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Additionally, Ebedmelech's actions serve as a model of compassion and empathy for believers today. It calls for us to be mindful of the suffering of others and to take action to alleviate their pain and offer support in practical ways. This verse challenges us to consider how we can demonstrate compassion and care for those who are marginalized, oppressed, or facing difficult circumstances, following the example set by Ebedmelech.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 38:12 captures a powerful moment of compassion and support in the midst of persecution and injustice. It serves as a reminder of God's providential care for his faithful servants and highlights the significance of small acts of kindness and empathy in making a difference in the lives of others. This verse continues to inspire and challenge believers to embody these principles in their interactions with others and to trust in God's faithfulness even in the most challenging of circumstances.
Jeremiah 38:12 Artwork
Jeremiah 38:12 - "And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so."
Jeremiah 32:38 - "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:"
Jeremiah 38:13 - "So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison."
Jeremiah 38:24 - "¶ Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die."
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 38:28 - "So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken."
Jeremiah 38:21 - "But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:"
Jeremiah 51:38 - "They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps."
Jeremiah 35:12 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,"
Jeremiah 38:8 - "Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,"
Jeremiah 38:19 - "And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me."
Jeremiah 38:14 - "¶ Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me."
Jeremiah 38:7 - "¶ Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;"
Jeremiah 34:12 - "¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"
Jeremiah 38:10 - "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."
Jeremiah 38:1 - "Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,"
Jeremiah 49:38 - "And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD."
Jeremiah 50:38 - "A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols."
Nehemiah 12:34 - "Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,"
Jeremiah 38:15 - "Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?"
Jeremiah 38:27 - "Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived."
Jeremiah 28:12 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,"
Nehemiah 12:12 - "And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;"
Jeremiah 38:3 - "Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it."
1 Chronicles 12:13 - "Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh."
1 Chronicles 12:10 - "Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,"
Jeremiah 38:11 - "So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah."
Jeremiah 38:20 - "But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live."
Jeremiah 25:38 - "He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger."
Jeremiah 38:5 - "Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you."