Ebed-Melech
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Ebed-Melech in the Bible?
Ebed-melech, a Cushite eunuch serving in the royal court of King Zedekiah, intervened to rescue the prophet Jeremiah from a muddy cistern and subsequently advocated for his safety, resulting in a divine promise that his life would be preserved during the city's fall.
SIGNIFICANCE
Ebed-melech's narrative provides insight into the political dynamics of the late Judean monarchy and illustrates how individual agency and moral courage intersected with prophetic messages during a period of national crisis.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Ebed-Melech reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Ebed-Melech in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ebed-Melech clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Ebed-Melech." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ebedmelech/