Jeremiah 34
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
CAPTIVITY OF ZEDEKIAH AND THE PEOPLE FORETOLD FOR THEIR DISOBEDIENCE AND PERFIDY. (Jer. 34:1-22) Jerusalem and . . . all the cities thereof--(see on Jer 19:15). It was amazing blindness in the king, that, in such a desperate position, he should reject admonition.
Open source ↗The word which came unto Jeremiah from the Lord,.... This prophecy came to Jeremiah, and was delivered by him, when he was at liberty, and before his imprisonment, and was the occasion of it, as appears from Jer 32:2; compared with Jer 34:2; the prophecies not standing in the proper order in which they were given out; for the prophecy, in this first part of the chapter at least, was delivered out before that in the thirty second chapter: 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; when this mighty monarch appeared before Jerusalem with a numerous army, consisting of Chaldeans, the natives of his own kingdom, and with the auxiliary troops of each the kingdoms he had subdued and made tributary to him, even people of almost every nation under the heavens; and invested it, and laid siege to it, and lay against it: and against all the cities thereof; the rest of the cities of Judah, which were as daughters of Jerusalem, the metropolis or mother city: saying; as follows:
Open source ↗The message to Zedekiah is regarded by Hitzig, Ewald, Graf, Ngelsbach, etc. as a supplement to Jer 32:1., and as giving, in its complete form, the prophecy to which Jer 32:3. was referred, as the reason of the confinement of Jeremiah in the court of the prison. Certainly it is so far true that Jeremiah, in Jer 34:2-5, expresses himself more fully regarding the fate of King Zedekiah at the fall of Jerusalem into the hands of the Chaldeans than in Jer 32:3-5; Jer 21:3., and Jer 37:17; but we are not warranted in drawing the inference that this message forms a historical appendix or supplement to Jer 32:3., and was the occasion or reason of Jeremiah's imprisonment. See, on the contrary, the remarks on Jer 32:3. It is not given here as an appendix to explain the reason of the prophet's imprisonment, but as a prophecy from which we may see how King Zedekiah was forewarned, from the very beginning of the siege, of what its issue would be, that he might frame his conduct accordingly. Nor does it belong to the period when Nebuchadnezzar, after beating off the Egyptians who had come to the relief of the beleaguered city, had returned to the siege of Jerusalem, but to the earliest period of the siege, when Zedekiah might still cherish the hope of defeating and driving off the Chaldeans through the help of the Egyptians. - According to Jer 34:1, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah when "Nebuchadnezzar and," i.e., with, "all his host, and all the kingdoms of the land of the dominion of his hand, and all the nations, were fighting against Jerusalem and all her towns." The words are multiplied to represent the strength of the Chaldean army, so as to deepen the impression of overpowering might, against which resistance is vain. The army consists of men drawn from all the kingdoms of…
Open source ↗This prophecy concerning Zedekiah was delivered to Jeremiah, and by him to the parties concerned, before he was shut up in the prison, for we find this prediction here made the ground of his commitment, as appears by the recital of some passages out of it, Jer 32:4. Observe, I. The time when this message was sent to Zedekiah; it was when the king of Babylon, with all his forces, some out of all the kingdoms of the earth that were within his jurisdiction, fought against Jerusalem and the cities thereof (Jer 34:1), designing to destroy them, having often plundered them. The cities that now remained, and yet held out, are named (Jer 34:7), Lachish and Azekah. This intimates that things were now brought to the last extremity, and yet Zedekiah obstinately stood it out, his heart being hardened to his destruction. II. The message itself that was sent to him. 1. Here is a threatening of wrath. He is told that again which he had been often told before, that the city shall be taken by the Chaldeans and burnt with fire (Jer 34:2), that he shall himself fall into the enemy's hands, shall be made a prisoner, shall be brought before that furious prince Nebuchadnezzar, and be carried away captive into Babylon (Jer 34:3); yet Ezekiel prophesied that he should not see Babylon; nor did he, for his eyes were put out, Eze 12:13. This Zedekiah brought upon himself from God by his other sins and from Nebuchadnezzar by breaking his faith with him. 2. Here is a mixture of mercy. He shall die a captive, but he shall not die by the sword he shall die a natural death (Jer 34:4); he shall end his days with some comfort, shall die in peace, Jer 34:5. He never had been one of the worst of the kings, but we are willing to hope that what evil he had done in the sight of the Lord he repented of in his…
Open source ↗34:1–39:18 This section begins with the prediction of Jerusalem’s fall and Zedekiah’s captivity (34:1-7); the fulfillment of that prediction comes toward the end (39:1-10). These messages underline the truth that the old covenant had been irreparably broken, especially by those kings descended from David who should have been most committed to maintaining it. 34:1-7 The Lord encouraged Zedekiah, even though he was a weak leader who lacked courage. The message contains judgment and a promise.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar, H5019) — Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshâlâh, H4475) — rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) צִדְקִיָּה (Tsidqîyâh, H6667) — Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗מָלַט (mâlaṭ, H4422) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness);… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), תָּפַשׂ (tâphas, H8610) — to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay;… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צִדְקִיָּה (Tsidqîyâh, H6667) — Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or…
Open source ↗מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… מִשְׂרָפָה (misrâphâh, H4955) — combustion, i.e. cremation (of a corpse), or calcination (of lime) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire סָפַד (çâphad, H5594) — properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to… הוֹי (hôwy, H1945) — oh! אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle
Open source ↗יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause צִדְקִיָּה (Tsidqîyâh, H6667) — Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;… לָכִישׁ (Lâkîysh, H3923) — Lakish, a place in Palestine עֲזֵקָה (ʻĂzêqâh, H5825) — Azekah, a place in Palestine מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, H4013) — a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king צִדְקִיָּה (Tsidqîyâh, H6667) — Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… דְּרוֹר (dᵉrôwr, H1865) — freedom; hence, spontaneity of outflow, and so clear
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) עִבְרִי (ʻIbrîy, H5680) — an Eberite (i.e. Hebrew) or descendant of Eber שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) חׇפְשִׁי (chophshîy, H2670) — exempt (from bondage, tax or care) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) חׇפְשִׁי (chophshîy, H2670) — exempt (from bondage, tax or care) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.
Open source ↗אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) חׇפְשִׁי (chophshîy, H2670) — exempt (from bondage, tax or care) כָּבַשׁ (kâbash, H3533) — to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗קֵץ (qêts, H7093) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… עִבְרִי (ʻIbrîy, H5680) — an Eberite (i.e. Hebrew) or descendant of Eber מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth חׇפְשִׁי (chophshîy, H2670) — exempt (from bondage, tax or care) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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For I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north,” declares the LORD. “Their kings will come and set up their thrones at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem. They will attack all her surrounding walls and all the other cities of Judah.
At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard, which was in the palace of the king of Judah.
Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished.
King Nebuchadnezzar, To the people of every nation and language who dwell in all the earth: May your prosperity be multiplied.
you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.
as the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and the remaining cities of Judah—against Lachish and Azekah. For these were the only fortified cities remaining in Judah.