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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 34:8 After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/34-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/24_Jer_34_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 34:8 - Freedom for Hebrew Slaves" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD" /><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'; 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<a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/34.htm">New King James Version</a> This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them: <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem, to proclaim release to them: <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1995</a> The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim release to them: <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a> The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim release to them: <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after King Zedekiah had cut a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim release to them: <a href="/amp/jeremiah/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant (solemn pledge) with all the [Hebrew] people who were [slaves] in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them: <a href="/csb/jeremiah/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom to them. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom to them, <a href="/asv/jeremiah/34.htm">American Standard Version</a> The word that came unto Jeremiah from Jehovah, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people that were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them; <a href="/erv/jeremiah/34.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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; <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The LORD spoke his word to Jeremiah after King Zedekiah and all the people in Jerusalem promised to free their slaves. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/34.htm">Good News Translation</a> King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem had made an agreement to set free <a href="/isv/jeremiah/34.htm">International Standard Version</a> This is this message from the LORD that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem proclaiming release for them. <a href="/msb/jeremiah/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD <a href="/net/jeremiah/34.htm">NET Bible</a> The LORD spoke to Jeremiah after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to grant their slaves their freedom. <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty to them; <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty to them; <a href="/web/jeremiah/34.htm">World English Bible</a> The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty to them, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> The word that has been to Jeremiah from YHWH, after the making of a covenant by King Zedekiah with all the people who [are] in Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty to them, <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> The word that hath been unto Jeremiah from Jehovah, after the making by the king Zedekiah of a covenant with all the people who are in Jerusalem, to proclaim to them liberty, <a href="/slt/jeremiah/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> The word which was to Jeremiah from Jehovah after king Zedekiah cut out a covenant with all the people which were in Jerusalem, to call to them liberty;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> The word that came to Jeremias from the Lord, after that king Sedecias had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem making a proclamation: <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after king Zedekiah had struck a pact with all the people in Jerusalem, proclaiming <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Bible</a> This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom: <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to make a proclamation of liberty to them—<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people that were in Jerusalem: Proclaim liberty to them; <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> The word that came on Jeremiah from before LORD JEHOVAH saying: “After King Tsedeqia covenanted a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem: “They shall be called ‘Set free’<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> The word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people that were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them; <a href="/sep/jeremiah/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> The word that came from the Lord to Jeremias, after king Sedekias had concluded a covenant with the people, to proclaim a release; <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=10635" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Freedom for Hebrew Slaves</a> 8<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.">After</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">King</a> <a href="/hebrew/6667.htm" title="6667: ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Yah is righteousness, six Isr. Or Tsidqiyahuw; from tsedeq and Yahh; right of Jah; Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites.">Zedekiah</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: kə·rōṯ (V-Qal-Inf) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">had made</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: bə·rîṯ (N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">a covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</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/3389.htm" title="3389: bî·rū·šā·lim (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">in Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: liq·rō (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">to proclaim</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1865.htm" title="1865: də·rō·wr (N-ms) -- A flowing, free run, liberty. From an unused root; freedom; hence, spontaneity of outflow, and so clear.">liberty,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the word</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/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3414.htm" title="3414: yir·mə·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yirmyahuw; from ruwm and Yahh; Jah will rise; Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites.">Jeremiah</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: mê·’êṯ (Prep-m:: DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> 9that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2-6</a> 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. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Deuteronomy 15:12-18</a> 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. ... <a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-46</a> 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. ... <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Nehemiah 5:1-13</a> About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. / Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.” / Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” ... <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6</a> 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? <a href="/ezekiel/46-17.htm">Ezekiel 46:17</a> But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it shall be theirs. <a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">2 Kings 23:3</a> So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-31.htm">2 Chronicles 34:31</a> So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a> 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. <a href="/romans/6-18.htm">Romans 6:18</a> You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. <a href="/john/8-32.htm">John 8:32-36</a> Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” / “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” / Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ... <a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-19</a> “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.” <a href="/matthew/18-27.htm">Matthew 18:27</a> His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him. <a href="/philemon/1-15.htm">Philemon 1:15-16</a> 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. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21-23</a> 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty to them;had.<a href="/2_kings/11-17.htm">2 Kings 11:17</a> And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.<a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">2 Kings 23:2,3</a> And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD… <a href="/2_chronicles/15-12.htm">2 Chronicles 15:12-15</a> And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; … to proclaim.<a href="/jeremiah/34-14.htm">Jeremiah 34:14,17</a> 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… <a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2-4</a> If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing… <a href="/exodus/23-10.htm">Exodus 23:10,11</a> And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/33-21.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-25.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-11.htm">Free</a> <a href="/psalms/119-45.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-6.htm">Jeremiah</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-7.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Liberty</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-18.htm">Making</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-10.htm">News</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-23.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-11.htm">Proclamation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-19.htm">Public</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-11.htm">Release</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-22.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-14.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-5.htm">Word</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-6.htm">Zedekiah</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-6.htm">Zedeki'ah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/34-13.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-10.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-9.htm">Free</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-15.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-12.htm">Jeremiah</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-19.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-15.htm">Liberty</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-19.htm">Making</a> <a href="/jeremiah/37-5.htm">News</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-17.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/daniel/5-29.htm">Proclamation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-15.htm">Public</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-15.htm">Release</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-9.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-12.htm">Word</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Zedekiah</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Zedeki'ah</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 34</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/34-1.htm">Jeremiah prophesies the captivity of Zedekiah and the city.</a> 8. <a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">The princes and the people having dismissed their bond-servants, </a> 11. <a href="/jeremiah/34-11.htm">contrary to the covenant of God, re-assume them.</a> 12. <a href="/jeremiah/34-12.htm">Jeremiah gives them and Zedekiah into the hands of their enemies.</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/34.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/34.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty King Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. His reign was marked by political instability and pressure from Babylon. The covenant mentioned here refers to a specific agreement made to release Hebrew slaves, in accordance with 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>). This act of proclaiming liberty was likely an attempt to gain divine favor during a time of crisis, as the Babylonian army was besieging Jerusalem. The concept of liberty here is deeply rooted in the Year of Jubilee, a time when debts were forgiven, and slaves were freed (<a href="/leviticus/25-10.htm">Leviticus 25:10</a>). This act was meant to reflect God's justice and mercy, reminding the people of their own deliverance from Egypt.the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," was called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to Judah. The phrase "the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD" signifies divine revelation, a common occurrence in the prophetic books. This underscores the authority and authenticity of Jeremiah's message. The prophets often served as intermediaries between God and His people, delivering messages that called for repentance and obedience. In this context, the word from the LORD would address the sincerity and faithfulness of the covenant made by Zedekiah and the people. This phrase also highlights the ongoing communication between God and His chosen messengers, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/k/king_zedekiah.htm">King Zedekiah</a> The last king of Judah, who reigned during the time of the Babylonian siege. He is known for his complex relationship with the prophet Jeremiah and his eventual downfall due to disobedience to God's commands. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and hope. He was called by God to deliver messages to the people of Judah and Jerusalem during a time of great turmoil. 3. <a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a> A solemn agreement or promise, often made before God. In this context, it refers to the agreement made by King Zedekiah with the people to release Hebrew slaves, as commanded in the Law of Moses. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The capital city of Judah, significant in biblical history as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. It was under siege by the Babylonians during this time. 5. <a href="/topical/p/proclaim_liberty.htm">Proclaim Liberty</a> The act of declaring freedom for Hebrew slaves, as prescribed in the Law of Moses (<a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Deuteronomy 15:12</a>). This was a significant act of obedience to God's law, though it was not fully carried out by the people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_law.htm">Obedience to God's Law</a> The covenant to proclaim liberty was an act of obedience to God's commands. As believers, we are called to align our actions with God's Word, even when it is challenging. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a> Although Zedekiah made the covenant, the people did not fully comply, leading to God's judgment. This serves as a reminder of the importance of following through on our commitments to God. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_liberation.htm">Spiritual Liberation</a> The physical act of freeing slaves points to the greater spiritual freedom offered through Christ. We are called to live in the freedom from sin that Jesus provides. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> The covenant involved all the people of Jerusalem, highlighting the communal aspect of obedience to God. As a church, we are responsible for supporting one another in living out God's commands. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a> Even when we fail, God offers opportunities for repentance and restoration. We must be willing to turn back to Him and seek His forgiveness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_34.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 34</a> <a href="/q/why_no_records_of_this_covenant's_breach.htm">Jeremiah 34:18–20 – If ancient covenant rituals had such dire consequences, why is there little to no concrete historical record of this specific covenant’s breach and punishment?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_god_say_zedekiah_won't_die_by_sword.htm">Jeremiah 34:3 - How could God promise Zedekiah would not die by the sword if 2 Kings 25:7 says Nebuchadnezzar blinded him and took him captive?</a> <a href="/q/why_isn't_jeremiah_31's_covenant_fulfilled.htm">If Hebrews 8:8-9 refers to Jeremiah 31's prophecy about a new covenant, why does history not clearly document any direct fulfillment of this covenant among the entire house of Israel?</a> <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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/34.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) After that the king Zedekiah had made? a covenant . . .--The remainder of the chapter brings before us an historical episode of considerable interest. The law of Moses did not allow in the case of a free-born Hebrew more than a temporary bondage of seven years (<a href="/exodus/21-2.htm" title="If you buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.">Exodus 21:2</a>; <a href="/context/deuteronomy/15-12.htm" title="And if your brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold to you, and serve you six years; then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.">Deuteronomy 15:12-18</a>), extended (but under the form of serfage rather than slavery) in the later regulations of <a href="/context/leviticus/25-39.htm" title="And if your brother that dwells by you be waxen poor, and be sold to you; you shall not compel him to serve as a bondservant:">Leviticus 25:39-40</a> to the time that might intervene between the date of purchase and the commencement of the next year of jubilee. In <a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm" title="Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take to him my two sons to be slaves.">2Kings 4:1</a> we have an instance of the working of the law, as bringing even the sons of a prophet into this modified slavery. Only if the man preferred his state as a slave to the risks of freedom could his master retain him after the appointed limit (<a href="/context/exodus/21-5.htm" title="And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:">Exodus 21:5-6</a>). The law had apparently fallen into disuse, and the nobles of Judah, like those of Athens before Solon, and Rome before the institution of the Tribunate, had used the law of debt to bring a large number of their fellow citizens into slavery, just as their successors did after the return from Babylon (<a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm" title="Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children: and, see, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought to bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.">Nehemiah 5:5</a>). Under the pressure of the danger from the Chaldaean invasion, and that he might have the ready service of freemen instead of the forced work of slaves, perhaps also in consequence of the revival of the law, that followed on its discovery, probably in the form of the Book of Deuteronomy, in the days of Josiah (<a href="/2_kings/22-8.htm" title="And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.">2Kings 22:8</a>), Zedekiah had been led to promise freedom to all the slave population of this class that were within the walls of Jerusalem, either as a celebration of a Sabbatic year, or jubilee, or, irrespective of any such observance, as a reparation for past neglect. The step was probably not without its influence in giving fresh energy to the defenders of the city. The Chaldaeans, threatened by the approach of an Egyptian army (<a href="/jeremiah/37-5.htm" title="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.">Jeremiah 37:5</a>), raised the siege (<a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm" title="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.">Jeremiah 34:21</a>). When the danger was past, however, the princes who had agreed to the emancipation returned to their old policy of oppression (<a href="/jeremiah/34-11.htm" title="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.">Jeremiah 34:11</a>), and those who had been liberated were brought under a bondage all the more bitter for the temporary taste of freedom. Against this perfidious tyranny the prophet, stirred by "the word of the Lord," bears his protests. His sympathies, like those of true prophets at all times, were with the poor and the oppressed. The phrase "proclaim liberty" was closely connected with the year of jubilee, as in <a href="/leviticus/25-10.htm" title="And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee to you; and you shall return every man to his possession, and you shall return every man to his family.">Leviticus 25:10</a>, <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm" title="The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;">Isaiah 61:1</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - A covenant. The scene of this "covenant" was the temple (veto. 15, 18). Solemn agreements of this kind were not uncommon (comp. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-12.htm">2 Chronicles 15:12</a>; <a href="/2_kings/11-17.htm">2 Kings 11:17</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">2 Kings 23:3</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/10.htm">Nehemiah 10</a>.). To proclaim liberty unto them. The phrase, a very peculiar one, is taken from the law of jubilee (<a href="/leviticus/25-10.htm">Leviticus 25:10</a>), though the prescription on which the covenant was based refers exclusively to the seventh year of the slave's servitude. <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>After אַחֲרֵ֡י (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part King הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king Zedekiah צִדְקִיָּ֜הוּ (ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6667.htm">Strong's 6667: </a> Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites had made כְּרֹת֩ (kə·rōṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant a covenant בְּרִ֗ית (bə·rîṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> A covenant with אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> Nearness, near, with, by, at, among all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the people הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock in Jerusalem בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (bî·rū·šā·lim) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel to proclaim לִקְרֹ֥א (liq·rō) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read liberty, דְּרֽוֹר׃ (də·rō·wr) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1865.htm">Strong's 1865: </a> Freedom, spontaneity of outflow, clear the word הַדָּבָ֛ר (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause came הָיָ֥ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be to אֶֽל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Jeremiah יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ (yir·mə·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3414.htm">Strong's 3414: </a> Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites from מֵאֵ֣ת (mê·’êṯ) Preposition-m | Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the LORD יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> YHWH <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 34:8 The word that came to Jeremiah (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/34-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 34:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 34:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/34-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 34:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 34:9" /></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>