What does Jeremiah 38:11 mean?

Ebed-Melek took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He got some old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them down to Jeremiah in the cistern with ropes. Jeremiah 38:11 - Modern Text Bible

(Ebed-Melek gathers supplies to help Jeremiah out of the pit without hurting him.)