Bible Dictionary
Ebed-melech
Ebed-melech was an Ethiopian eunuch serving King Zedekiah. He courageously appealed for Jeremiah’s rescue from a muddy dungeon, and God promised to preserve his life when Jerusalem fell.
Definition
Ebed-melech means “servant of the king” or possibly “servant of Melek.” He was an Ethiopian eunuch serving in King Zedekiah’s palace. When Jeremiah was cast into a dungeon, Ebed-melech appealed to the king and helped rescue the prophet.
Biblical Usage
Ebed-melech acted courageously on Jeremiah’s behalf and saved him from dying in the dungeon. Through Jeremiah, the word of the LORD promised that Ebed-melech’s life would be spared when Jerusalem fell.
Historical Background
He held an official position in the royal service of Zedekiah and is specifically described as an Ethiopian eunuch.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>e-bed-me'-lek, eb-ed-me'-lek (`ebhedh-mekekh, "servant of the king" or "of (god) Melek"):</p><p>An Ethiopian eunuch in the service of King Zedekiah, who interceded with the king for the prophet Jeremiah and rescued him from the dungeon into which he had been cast to die (Jer 38:7-13). For this, the word of Yahweh through Jeremiah promised Ebed-meleeh that his life should be spared in the fall of Jerusalem (Jer 39:15-18).</p>