Analysis of Jeremiah Chapter 34
The Book of Jeremiah, a major prophetic work of the Old Testament, delves into themes of covenant, judgment, and restoration. Jeremiah Chapter 34 stands out as a somber reflection on Judah’s disobedience and the consequences thereof. This chapter highlights moral failures, broken promises, and God’s patient yet firm stance on justice. Below, we explore each verse of Jeremiah 34, offering an in-depth analysis of its content and significance.
Jeremiah 34:1-2
“The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.”
The chapter begins with a clear message from God delivered through Jeremiah to Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. The historical context is critical here: Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, is besieging Jerusalem. God declares His intention to deliver the city into the hands of the Babylonians, foretelling its destruction by fire. This serves as a vivid reminder that divine judgment is impending due to the persistent disobedience of the people.
Jeremiah 34:3-5
“And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.
Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:
But thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings which were before thee, so shall they burn odours for thee; and they will lament thee, saying, Ah lord! for I have pronounced the word, saith the LORD.”
In these verses, a personal prophecy is given to Zedekiah. Despite the grim future of Jerusalem, God extends a personal reprieve to Zedekiah, assuring him that he will not die by the sword but will instead die in peace. The reference to “burnings of thy fathers” denotes royal funeral rites, suggesting a semblance of honor in his death. This duality presents God’s justice intertwined with a degree of mercy, painting a complex picture of divine retribution.
Jeremiah 34:6-7
“Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
When the king of Babylon’s army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Judah.”
Here, the narrative reaffirms Jeremiah’s role as the bearer of divine messages. The specific mention of Lachish and Azekah underscores the dire military situation. These cities were among the last defenses of Judah, highlighting the imminent fall of the kingdom. It also reflects Jeremiah’s faithful obedience to convey God’s messages, despite the dire circumstances surrounding him.
Jeremiah 34:8-11
“This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;
That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.
Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go.
But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.”
These verses recount a significant social reform initiated by Zedekiah: the proclamation of liberty. This reform mandated the release of Hebrew slaves, aligning with Mosaic Law (Exodus 21:2-6; Deuteronomy 15:12-18). Initially, the people obeyed and released their servants. However, they soon reneged on their commitment, re-enslaving the freed people. This breach of covenant reflects a deeper moral and spiritual failure within Judah. Their insincere repentance is emblematic of their overall disobedience to God’s commands.
Jeremiah 34:12-14
“Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying,
At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear.”
God references the Mosaic covenant to underscore the gravity of Judah’s disobedience. The law concerning the release of Hebrew slaves every seven years (Deuteronomy 15:12-18) was intended to prevent perpetual servitude among Israelites. By failing to uphold this law, Judah not only flouted social justice but also betrayed their covenantal relationship with God. Their forefathers’ disobedience set a precedent that continued to manifest in their current behavior.
Jeremiah 34:15-16
“And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:
But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.”
These verses express God’s acknowledgment of Judah’s initial compliance followed by stern condemnation of their regression. Their transient righteousness—proclaiming liberty—was commendable, and their covenant was affirmed in the Temple, signifying its sacredness. However, their reversal and re-enslavement of freed persons desecrated God’s name and violated their solemn promise. This hypocrisy is seen as a severe transgression, illustrating the deeper ethical and spiritual corruption within Judah.
Jeremiah 34:17
“Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.”
In response to Judah’s duplicity, God declares a chilling irony: instead of the liberty they failed to uphold, God will grant them “liberty” to face the sword, pestilence, and famine. This divine retribution underscores the concept of measure-for-measure justice—a foundational principle in biblical theology. Their punishment is not merely punitive but illustrative; the devastation serves as a tangible consequence of their covenant breach.
Jeremiah 34:18-20
“And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,
The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf;
I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.”
These verses allude to an ancient covenant-making ritual, involving the cutting of a calf in two and walking between the pieces (Genesis 15:9-17), symbolizing a binding agreement. By failing to uphold this ritualistic covenant, Judah’s leaders, priests, and people invited the dire consequence of becoming prey to their enemies. The imagery of their bodies being left unburied emphasizes complete divine abandonment and desecration, highlighting the severe ramifications of covenantal unfaithfulness.
Jeremiah 34:21-22
“And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army, which are gone up from you.
Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.”
The closing verses return to the fate of Zedekiah and his officials, reaffirming their imminent capture by the Babylonians. God’s command to the Babylonian forces emphasizes His sovereignty over nations and empires. The predicted desolation of Judah and Jerusalem marks the inevitable fallout from persistent disobedience. This desolation is comprehensive—not merely a military defeat but the complete devastation of the land, reflecting the consequences of forsaking the covenant with God.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 34 offers a profound exploration of themes such as covenant fidelity, social justice, and divine retribution. It juxtaposes moments of human righteousness with profound failure, ultimately underscoring the seriousness of breaking a covenant with God. Through vivid imagery and historical context, the chapter paints a sobering picture of the consequences of disobedience and serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of faithfulness to divine commands.
The chapter’s relevance extends beyond its immediate historical context, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of their own commitments and the weight of their promises. The message is clear: true repentance and obedience to God’s laws are non-negotiable aspects of a faithful and just society. Jeremiah 34 thus stands as a critical piece within the larger prophetic narrative, calling for introspection and adherence to divine principles that are foundational to human flourishing and divine favor.