King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 38:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 38:9 in the King James Version says “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. he is like: Heb. he will die”

Jeremiah 38:9 · KJV

Context

7

Now when Ebedmelech 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;

8

Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,

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. he is like: Heb. he will die

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.

Read Jeremiah 38 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Ebed-melech's appeal demonstrates remarkable moral clarity and rhetorical skill. He directly accuses the officials of evil (here'u), using strong language that could have cost him dearly. The phrase "these men have done evil in all that they have done" emphasizes comprehensive wrongdoing—not a single mistake but systematic injustice.

The practical argument—"he is like to die for hunger"—appeals to both justice and pragmatism. Jeremiah's death by starvation would be murder, not judicial execution. The observation "there is no more bread in the city" heightens the cruelty: in a siege where everyone suffers hunger, casting a prophet into a waterless cistern with no food provision constitutes deliberate execution. Ebed-melech's appeal combines moral outrage with practical reasoning, demonstrating wisdom in advocacy.

Theologically, this verse teaches: (1) Evil should be named and opposed, even when done by powerful people; (2) advocacy for the oppressed reflects God's character (Proverbs 31:8-9); (3) speaking truth to power requires both courage and wisdom; (4) God uses human agents to accomplish deliverance—He could rescue Jeremiah miraculously but chooses to work through Ebed-melech's intervention. The Reformed understanding of common grace explains how an Ethiopian eunuch could display such moral excellence—God's image remains in fallen humanity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase "there is no more bread in the city" confirms the siege's severity. Jeremiah 52:6 records that by the fourth month of Zedekiah's eleventh year, "the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land." Archaeological evidence from destruction layers shows evidence of starvation during ancient sieges, including at Lachish during this period.

Ancient siege warfare deliberately aimed to starve populations into submission. Babylon's systematic reduction of Judean cities before focusing on Jerusalem followed standard military practice. That Ebed-melech could appeal to the king while officials who imprisoned Jeremiah couldn't stop him suggests complex palace politics—Zedekiah was weak, manipulated by various factions. His permission for Jeremiah's rescue reveals either hidden sympathy for the prophet or inability to resist Ebed-melech's moral argument. History shows weak leaders often enable evil through passivity rather than active malice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Ebed-melech's willingness to name evil directly challenge our tendency toward diplomatic silence in the face of injustice?
  2. In what situations does God call you to be an advocate for those unable to defend themselves?
  3. How can we combine moral courage with practical wisdom when opposing injustice, as Ebed-melech did?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
אֲדֹנִ֣י1 of 25

“My lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ2 of 25

“the king”

H4428

a king

הֵרֵ֜עוּ3 of 25

“have done evil”

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים4 of 25
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙5 of 25
H428

these or those

אֵ֣ת6 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל7 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר8 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשׂוּ֙9 of 25

“in all that they have done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְיִרְמְיָ֣הוּ10 of 25

“to Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

הַנָּבִ֔יא11 of 25

“the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֵ֥ת12 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִשְׁלִ֖יכוּ14 of 25

“whom they have cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אֶל15 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַבּ֑וֹר16 of 25

“into the dungeon”

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

וַיָּ֤מָת17 of 25

“and he is like to die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

תַּחְתָּיו֙18 of 25

“in the place”

H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

מִפְּנֵ֣י19 of 25

“for”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָֽרָעָ֔ב20 of 25

“hunger”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

כִּ֣י21 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵ֥ין22 of 25
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

הַלֶּ֛חֶם23 of 25

“where he is for there is no more bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

ע֖וֹד24 of 25
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בָּעִֽיר׃25 of 25

“in the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

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 38:9 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 38:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 37:21-38:6Proverbs 24:11-12Jeremiah 52:6Proverbs 31:8-9Job 31:34Esther 7:4-6

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 38 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 38 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes