Bible Encyclopedias
Ebed-Melech

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Hebrews E'bed-Me'lek, עֶבֶדמֶלֶךְ , servant of the king, i.e., Arabic Abd el-Malek, Sept. Ἀβδεμέλεχ,Vulgate Abdemelech), an Ethiopian at the court of Zedekiah, king of Judah, who was instrumental in saving the prophet Jeremiah from death by famine (Jeremiah 38:7-13), and who, for his humanity in this circumstance, was promised deliverance when the city should fall into the enemy's hands (Jeremiah 39:15-18). B.C. 589. (See JEREMIAH). He is there styled a eunuch ( אַישׁ סָרַיס and he probably had charge of the king's harem (compare Jeremiah 38:22-23), an office which would give him the privilege of free private access to the king; but his name seems to be an official title = King's slave, i.e., minister. (See EUNUCH).

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Ebed-Melech'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​e/ebed-melech.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.