Jeremiah 39:16
Jeremiah 39:16 in Multiple Translations
“Go and tell Ebed-melech the Cushite that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to fulfill My words against this city for harm and not for good, and on that day they will be fulfilled before your eyes.
Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.
Go, and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished before thee in that day.
Go and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel, has said: See, my words will come true for this town, for evil and not for good: they will come about before your eyes on that day.
“Go and tell Ebed-melech the Cushite that this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to keep my promise I made against this city—to harm it and not to help it—you'll see it for yourself when it happens.
Go and speake to Ebed-melech the blacke More, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hostes the God of Israel, Beholde, I wil bring my wordes vpon this citie for euill, and not for good, and they shalbe accomplished in that day before thee.
'Go, and thou hast spoken to Ebed-Melech the Cushite, saying: Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel: Lo, I am bringing in My words unto this city for evil, and not for good, and they have been before thee in that day.
“Go, and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will bring my words on this city for evil, and not for good; and they will be accomplished before you in that day.
Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Cushite, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: Behold I will bring my words upon this city unto evil, and not unto good: and they shall be accomplished in thy sight in that day.
“Say this to Ebed-Melech, the official from Ethiopia: ‘This is what the Commander of the armies of angels, the God whom we Israelis worship, says: “I will do to this city everything that I said that I would do. I will not enable the people to prosper; I will cause them to experience disasters. You will see Jerusalem being destroyed,
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 39:16
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Jeremiah 39:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 39:16
Study Notes — Jeremiah 39:16
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 39:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 39:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 39:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 39:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
- Sermons on Jeremiah 39:16
Context — Jeremiah Delivered
16“Go and tell Ebed-melech the Cushite that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to fulfill My words against this city for harm and not for good, and on that day they will be fulfilled before your eyes.
17But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you will not be delivered into the hands of the men whom you fear. 18For I will surely rescue you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in Me, you will escape with your life like a spoil of war, declares the LORD.’”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 9:12 | You have carried out the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us a great disaster. For under all of heaven, nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. |
| 2 | Zechariah 1:6 | But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’” |
| 3 | Joshua 23:14–15 | Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed. But just as every good thing the LORD your God promised you has come to pass, likewise the LORD will bring upon you the calamity He has threatened, until He has destroyed you from this good land He has given you. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 26:20 | Now there was another man prophesying in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land the same things that Jeremiah did. |
| 5 | Psalms 91:8–9 | You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling— my refuge, the Most High— |
| 6 | Jeremiah 5:14 | Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts says: “Because you have spoken this word, I will make My words a fire in your mouth and this people the wood it consumes. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 44:28–29 | Those who escape the sword will return from Egypt to Judah, few in number, and the whole remnant of Judah who went to dwell in the land of Egypt will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs! This will be a sign to you that I will punish you in this place, declares the LORD, so that you may know that My threats of harm against you will surely stand. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 26:15 | But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, upon this city, and upon its residents; for truly the LORD has sent me to speak all these words in your hearing.” |
| 9 | Jeremiah 34:2–3 | The LORD, the God of Israel, told Jeremiah to go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him that this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down. And you yourself will not escape his grasp, but will surely be captured and delivered into his hand. You will see the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak with him face to face; and you will go to Babylon. |
| 10 | Jeremiah 38:7–13 | Now Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king, “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.” So the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” Then Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the king’s palace, to a place below the storehouse. From there he took old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah, “Put these worn-out rags and clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so, and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard. |
Jeremiah 39:16 Summary
[This verse is a reminder that God is in control and will fulfill His plans, whether for good or for harm. As seen in Jeremiah 39:16, God is about to bring judgment on the city, but He will also deliver those who trust in Him, like Ebed-melech. This is a call to trust in God's sovereignty, even when the outcome is uncertain, and to remember that His plans are always unfolding, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Psalm 138:8.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God will fulfill His words against the city for harm and not for good?
This means that God's judgment is coming upon the city, and it will not be a positive outcome, as seen in Jeremiah 39:16, but rather a fulfillment of the warnings given throughout the book of Jeremiah, such as Jeremiah 6:19 and Jeremiah 11:11.
Why is Ebed-melech being singled out to receive this message from God?
Ebed-melech, the Cushite, had previously shown kindness to Jeremiah, as seen in Jeremiah 38:7-13, and God is now giving him a special message of hope and deliverance, as promised in Jeremiah 39:17-18.
What does it mean that these events will be fulfilled before Ebed-melech's eyes?
This means that Ebed-melech will witness the events of God's judgment and deliverance firsthand, much like the prophet Habakkuk, who was told to wait and watch, as seen in Habakkuk 2:1-3.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of the book of Jeremiah?
This verse is a reminder that God is sovereign and will fulfill His words, whether for good or for harm, as seen in Jeremiah 1:10 and Jeremiah 18:7-10, and that His plans are always unfolding, even in the midst of judgment and chaos.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's sovereignty, even when the outcome is uncertain?
- How can I, like Ebed-melech, show kindness and compassion to those around me, even in difficult circumstances?
- What are some ways that I can prepare myself to witness the fulfillment of God's plans, whether in my personal life or in the world around me?
- In what ways can I, like Jeremiah, remain faithful and hopeful in the face of adversity, trusting in God's promises, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 and Jeremiah 32:40?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 39:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 39:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 39:16
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:16
Sermons on Jeremiah 39:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Jeremiah 39:16 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of placing trust in the Lord through the story of Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian servant who risked his life to save Jeremiah. Despite living in |
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Don't Slander Your Heavenly Father by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his lifelong commitment to serving God since the age of 8. He emphasizes that God's promises have never failed him and encourages the congr |
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Joshua 23:14 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the faithfulness of God as Joshua addresses the Israelites in his old age, reminding them that they know in their hearts the truth of God's promises. He high |
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Church Be Still! by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon on the concept of 'Cannot lie,' the preacher delves into the profound truth that God is the epitome of truth and cannot lie, contrasting Him with the deceitful natur |
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The Lord Faithful, and His Word True to the Last by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow emphasizes the unwavering faithfulness of God and the truth of His promises, as illustrated by Joshua's reflection on God's fulfilled promises at the end of his li |
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Not My Will, but Thine by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes that just as Jesus faced suffering in Gethsemane, we too can find strength and victory through submission to God's will. He encourages believers to approach |
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Breaking the Bondage of an Ungodly Heritage by Don Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the concept of breaking the chains of an ungodly heritage. He criticizes the idea that individuals are not personally responsible for their ac |






