King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 38:12 Mean?
“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.”
Jeremiah 38:12 · KJV
Context
10
Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. with thee: Heb. in thine hand
11
So Ebedmelech 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.
12
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.
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.
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. third: or, principal
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryEbed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords—The specific instruction reveals Ebed-melech's practical wisdom and empathy. He anticipated that pulling an emaciated man from a muddy pit with ropes would cause excruciating pain and injury without padding. The 'armholes' (אַצִּילֵי יָדֶיךָ, atsile yadekha, literally 'joints of your hands/arms') would bear the full weight during extraction.
And Jeremiah did so—The prophet's simple obedience to his Ethiopian rescuer's instructions demonstrates humility. God's chosen prophet, who spoke the Almighty's word to kings, accepted direction from a foreign eunuch. There's no record of Jeremiah instructing Ebed-melech on proper rescue technique or insisting on his own method. He trusted the man God sent to deliver him.
This exchange beautifully illustrates the body of Christ's mutual interdependence. The most spiritually gifted sometimes need practical help from unexpected sources. Paul's teaching that 'the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee' (1 Corinthians 12:21) applies here—the prophet needed the servant, the Jew needed the Gentile, the spiritual leader needed the practical helper. Pride would have refused the rags or insisted on directing the rescue; wisdom and humility accepted help gratefully.
And Jeremiah did so—The prophet's simple obedience to his Ethiopian rescuer's instructions demonstrates humility. God's chosen prophet, who spoke the Almighty's word to kings, accepted direction from a foreign eunuch. There's no record of Jeremiah instructing Ebed-melech on proper rescue technique or insisting on his own method. He trusted the man God sent to deliver him.
This exchange beautifully illustrates the body of Christ's mutual interdependence. The most spiritually gifted sometimes need practical help from unexpected sources. Paul's teaching that 'the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee' (1 Corinthians 12:21) applies here—the prophet needed the servant, the Jew needed the Gentile, the spiritual leader needed the practical helper. Pride would have refused the rags or insisted on directing the rescue; wisdom and humility accepted help gratefully.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The image of Jeremiah being pulled from the miry cistern with rags protecting his armpits is visceral and unforgettable. This occurred in approximately July 587 BC, about a year into the final siege. Jeremiah had been imprisoned multiple times throughout his ministry but this was the closest to death—the muddy cistern would have meant slow suffocation or starvation. His rescue allowed him to witness Jerusalem's fall (39:11-14), minister to the remnant (chapters 40-43), and likely write Lamentations. Without Ebed-melech's courage and practical wisdom, Jeremiah would have died in the pit and much of his prophetic ministry would have been lost.
Reflection Questions
- What does Jeremiah's simple obedience to Ebed-melech's instructions teach about humility in receiving help?
- How does this rescue demonstrate the importance of both courage and practical wisdom in ministry?
- In what ways does God often send unexpected people to deliver us, and how should we respond?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 19 wordsעֶבֶד2 of 19
H0שִׂ֣ים7 of 19
“Put”
H7760to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
נָ֠א8 of 19
H4994'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
תַּ֚חַת12 of 19
H8478the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אַצִּל֣וֹת13 of 19
“under thine armholes”
H679a joint of the hand (i.e., knuckle); also (according to some) a party-wall (ezekiel 41:8)
יָדֶ֔יךָ14 of 19
H3027a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מִתַּ֖חַת15 of 19
H8478the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כֵּֽן׃19 of 19
H3651properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Jeremiah 38:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Jeremiah 38:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge