Jeremiah 38:7

Authorized King James Version

Now when Ebed-melech 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;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁמַ֡ע
heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
עֶֽבֶד
H0
#3
מֶ֨לֶךְ
Now when Ebedmelech
ebed-melek, a eunuch of zedekeah
#4
הַכּוּשִׁ֜י
the Ethiopian
a cushite, or descendant of cush
#5
אִ֣ישׁ
one
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)
#6
סָרִ֗יס
of the eunuchs
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
#7
וְהוּא֙
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#8
בְּבֵ֣ית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#9
וְהַמֶּ֥לֶךְ
the king
a king
#10
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#11
נָתְנ֥וּ
that they had put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#12
אֶֽת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
Jeremiah
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
#14
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
הַבּ֑וֹר
in the dungeon
a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
#16
וְהַמֶּ֥לֶךְ
the king
a king
#17
יוֹשֵׁ֖ב
then sitting
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#18
בְּשַׁ֥עַר
in the gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#19
בִּנְיָמִֽן׃
of Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Jeremiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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