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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 34:11 but later they changed their minds and took back the menservants and maidservants they had freed, and they forced them to become slaves again.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/34-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/24_Jer_34_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 34:11 - Freedom for Hebrew Slaves" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="but later they changed their minds and took back the menservants and maidservants they had freed, and they forced them to become slaves again." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/34-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/34-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/34.htm">Chapter 34</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/34-10.htm" title="Jeremiah 34:10">◄</a> Jeremiah 34:11 <a href="/jeremiah/34-12.htm" title="Jeremiah 34:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/34.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/34.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But afterward they changed their minds and took back the slaves they had freed and enslaved them again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />but later they changed their minds. They took back the men and women they had freed, forcing them to be slaves again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But afterward they turned around and took back the male and female slaves they had set free, and brought them into subjection as slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />but later they changed their minds and took back the menservants and maidservants they had freed, and they forced them to become slaves again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But afterward they changed their minds and made the male and female slaves return, whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection as male and female slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But afterward they turned around and took back the male servants and the female servants whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection as male servants and as female servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But afterward they turned around and took back the male servants and the female servants whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection for male servants and for female servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But afterward they turned around and took back the male servants and the female servants, whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection for male servants and for female servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But afterwards they turned around and returned <i>to themselves</i> the male slaves and the female slaves, whom they had let go as free, and subdued them to be male slaves and female slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But afterward they backed out [of the covenant] and made the male servants and the female servants whom they had set free return [to them], and brought the male servants and the female servants again into servitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Afterward, however, they changed their minds and took back their male and female slaves they had let go free and forced them to become slaves again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Afterward, however, they changed their minds and took back their male and female slaves they had freed and forced them to become slaves again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />but afterwards 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But those slave owners changed their minds and forced their former slaves back into slavery. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />but afterwards 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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But afterwards, they changed their minds and took back the men and women they had freed and made them their slaves again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />but later they changed their minds, took them back, and forced them to become slaves again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But afterward they turned around and took back the male and female slaves that they had set free, and they forced them to become male and female slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />but later they changed their minds and took back the menservants and maidservants they had freed, and they forced them to become slaves again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But later they had changed their minds. They had taken back their male and female slaves that they had freed and forced them to be slaves again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />but afterwards 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But afterwards they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had liberated, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />but afterwards 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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they turn afterward, and cause the menservants and the maidservants to return, whom they had sent forth free, and they subdue them for menservants and for maidservants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they turn afterwards, and cause the men-servants and the maid-servants to return, whom they had sent forth free, and they subdue them for men-servants and for maid-servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will turn back after this, and they will cause their servants and their maids to turn back whom they sent away free, and they subdued them for servants and for maids.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But afterwards they turned: and brought back again their servants and their handmaids, whom they had let go free, and brought them into subjection as menservants and maidservants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But later on, they turned back. And they took back again their man servants and their woman servants, whom they had released to be free. And they subjugated them as male and female servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />afterward they took back their male and female servants whom they had set free and again forced them into servitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But afterward they turned around and took back the male and female slaves they had set free, and brought them again into subjection as slaves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But afterward they changed their minds, and caused to return both the male and female servants whom they had let go free, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they turned after this and they subjected the freed ones and they made them Servants<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />but afterwards 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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and gave them over to be men-servants and maid-servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=10669" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Freedom for Hebrew Slaves</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>So all the officials and all the people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their menservants and maidservants and no longer hold them in bondage. They obeyed and released them, <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê- (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">but later</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: ḵên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šū·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">they changed their minds</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·ši·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">and took back</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: hā·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">the menservants</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/8198.htm" title="8198: haš·šə·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- Maid, maidservant. Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out; a female slave.">maidservants</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šil·lə·ḥū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">they had freed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2670.htm" title="2670: ḥā·p̄ə·šîm (Adj-mp) -- Free. From chaphash; exempt."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3533.htm" title="3533: way·yaḵ·bī·šūm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3mp) -- A primitive root; to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate.">and they forced them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">to become slaves</a> <a href="/hebrew/8198.htm" title="8198: wə·liš·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-fp) -- Maid, maidservant. Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out; a female slave.">again.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2-6</a></span><br />If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. / If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. / If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Deuteronomy 15:12-15</a></span><br />If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nehemiah 5:8-13</a></span><br />and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. / So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies? / I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending the people money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-46</a></span><br />If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6</a></span><br />Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a></span><br />It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Matthew 18:23-35</a></span><br />Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. / As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. / Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-16.htm">Romans 6:16-18</a></span><br />Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? / But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. / You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34-36</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. / A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. / So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21-23</a></span><br />Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. / For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. / You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philemon/1-15.htm">Philemon 1:15-16</a></span><br />For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-19</a></span><br />“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-10.htm">Acts 15:10</a></span><br />Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a></span><br />For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Colossians 3:11</a></span><br />Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Jeremiah 34:21</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/37-5.htm">Jeremiah 37:5</a></b></br> Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/8-8.htm">Exodus 8:8,15</a></b></br> Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/21-7.htm">Afterward</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-16.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Bondmaids</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-10.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-26.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-37.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-7.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-14.htm">Enslaved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-10.htm">Female</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-15.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-10.htm">Free</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-14.htm">Freed</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Handmaids</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Maid-Servants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-10.htm">Male</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-15.htm">Servant-Girls</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-9.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Subdue</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-8.htm">Subjection</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-7.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-7.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Yoke</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/46-26.htm">Afterward</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-26.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-44.htm">Bondmaids</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-13.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-22.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-16.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/jeremiah/42-10.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/nahum/3-4.htm">Enslaved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-16.htm">Female</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-13.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-14.htm">Free</a> <a href="/mark/5-29.htm">Freed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-16.htm">Handmaids</a> <a href="/joel/2-29.htm">Maid-Servants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-16.htm">Male</a> <a href="/joel/2-29.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/42-17.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/joel/2-29.htm">Servant-Girls</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-13.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-8.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/daniel/7-24.htm">Subdue</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-16.htm">Subjection</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-15.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-15.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-23.htm">Yoke</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 34</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/34-1.htm">Jeremiah prophesies the captivity of Zedekiah and the city.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">The princes and the people having dismissed their bond-servants, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/34-11.htm">contrary to the covenant of God, re-assume them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/34-12.htm">Jeremiah gives them and Zedekiah into the hands of their enemies.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the context of <a href="/jeremiah/34.htm">Jeremiah 34</a>, the people of Judah initially obeyed God's command to release their Hebrew slaves, as outlined in the Mosaic Law (<a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2-6</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Deuteronomy 15:12-18</a>). However, their change of heart reflects a deeper spiritual issue of disobedience and rebellion against God's covenant. This mirrors the broader theme in Jeremiah of Judah's unfaithfulness and the consequences of breaking covenant promises.<p><b>and took back the menservants and maidservants they had freed</b><br>The act of taking back the freed servants is a direct violation of the covenant made before God. In ancient Israel, the release of Hebrew slaves was not only a legal obligation but also a moral and spiritual one, symbolizing liberation and justice. This reversal of action demonstrates a lack of integrity and respect for God's laws. It also reflects the social and economic pressures of the time, where the loss of labor could have been seen as a significant economic disadvantage, prompting the people to reclaim their servants.<p><b>and they forced them to become slaves again</b><br>This phrase underscores the severity of the people's actions, as they not only reneged on their promise but actively oppressed those they had set free. This act of re-enslavement is a grave injustice and is condemned by God through the prophet Jeremiah. It serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and mercy, themes that are prevalent throughout the Bible (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a>). Theologically, this can be seen as a type of the bondage of sin, from which Christ frees believers (<a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34-36</a>; <a href="/romans/6-17.htm">Romans 6:17-18</a>). The failure of the people to uphold their covenant reflects humanity's need for a Savior who can truly liberate from the bondage of sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah, often warning them of impending judgment due to their disobedience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/z/zedekiah.htm">Zedekiah</a></b><br>The last king of Judah, who reigned during the time of Jeremiah. He initially agreed to free the Hebrew slaves but later allowed them to be re-enslaved.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>The inhabitants of the southern kingdom, who were under threat from Babylon and had made a covenant to release their Hebrew slaves.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_threat.htm">Babylonian Threat</a></b><br>The external pressure from the Babylonian empire, which was a significant factor in the decisions made by the leaders of Judah.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_of_freedom.htm">Covenant of Freedom</a></b><br>An agreement made by the people of Judah to release their Hebrew slaves, which they later broke by re-enslaving them.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_keeping_covenants.htm">The Importance of Keeping Covenants</a></b><br>God takes covenants seriously, and breaking them has consequences. We must honor our commitments, especially those made before God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_backsliding.htm">The Danger of Backsliding</a></b><br>The people of Judah initially did the right thing but later reverted to their old ways. We must guard against returning to sinful behaviors after making positive changes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_heart_for_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Heart for Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>God's laws regarding slavery were designed to promote justice and mercy. We should reflect God's character by advocating for the oppressed and treating others with fairness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_external_pressures.htm">The Influence of External Pressures</a></b><br>The threat from Babylon influenced Judah's leaders to make and then break their covenant. We must be cautious not to let external pressures lead us away from God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Even when we fail, God offers a path to repentance and restoration. We should seek His forgiveness and strive to align our actions with His will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_34.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 34</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_god_view_re-enslavement_vs._slavery.htm">Jeremiah 34:11–17 – How does God’s condemnation of re-enslavement align with other passages where slavery was permitted (e.g., Leviticus 25)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_meaning_of_30_silver_pieces.htm">What is the significance of thirty pieces of silver?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_re-enslave_after_freeing_slaves.htm">Jeremiah 34:8-11 - Why would the Israelites release their slaves, then immediately re-enslave them, if this event was truly a binding covenant?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ezekiel_34__judgment_inconsistencies.htm">Ezekiel 34 - Are there any inconsistencies with other prophetic books about how judgment is executed and who is held accountable?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">but later</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they changed their minds</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּשׁ֙וּבוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šū·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and took back</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּשִׁ֗בוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ši·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the menservants</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽעֲבָדִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">maidservants</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְּׁפָח֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šə·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8198.htm">Strong's 8198: </a> </span><span class="str2">Maid, maidservant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they had freed,</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁלְּח֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(šil·lə·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they forced them</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּכְבְּשׁ֔וּם</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḵ·bə·šūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3533.htm">Strong's 3533: </a> </span><span class="str2">To subdue, bring into bondage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to become slaves</span><br /><span class="heb">לַעֲבָדִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">again.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלִשְׁפָחֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·liš·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8198.htm">Strong's 8198: </a> </span><span class="str2">Maid, maidservant</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Jeremiah 34:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/34-11.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 34:11 But afterwards they turned and caused (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/34-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 34:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 34:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/34-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 34:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 34:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>