When Jeremiah sat in a muddy pit, it was a foreigner at the king’s court who spoke up for him. Ebedmelech the Ethiopian is named in Jeremiah 39, where the word of the LORD comes to him just as Jerusalem is about to fall. The promise is plain: “I will surely deliver thee,” and his life would be “for a prey” to him, “because thou hast put thy trust in me.” Nothing more is said in these verses about his rank or his story. They simply record that one man’s quiet trust was noticed and answered. His rescue of Jeremiah is told earlier, in chapter 38.
3 verses
Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD 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 in that day before thee.
But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.
For I will surely deliver 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 the LORD.
Matthew George Easton, 1897
A servant of the king; probably an official title, an Ethiopian, “one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house;” i.e., in the palace of Zedekiah, king of Judah. He interceded with the king in Jeremiah’s behalf, and was the means of saving him from death by famine (Jer. 38:7-13: comp. 39:15-18).
William Smith, 1884
(a king’s servant), an Ethiopian eunuch in the service of King Zedekiah, through whose interference Jeremiah was released from prison. (Jeremiah 38:7) ff.; Jere 39:15 ff. (B.C. 1589).