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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" 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/34-7.htm" title="Jeremiah 34:7">◄</a> Jeremiah 34:8 <a href="/jeremiah/34-9.htm" title="Jeremiah 34:9">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom for the slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />This message came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah made a covenant with the people, proclaiming freedom for the slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>This is</i> the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which <i>were</i> at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>This is</i> the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who <i>were</i> at Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD spoke his word to Jeremiah after King Zedekiah and all the people in Jerusalem promised to free their slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem had made an agreement to set free <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Jeremiah after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to grant their slaves their freedom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />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"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after king Zedekiah had struck a pact with all the people in Jerusalem, proclaiming<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />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"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The word that came from the Lord to Jeremias, after king Sedekias had concluded a covenant with the people, to proclaim a release;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></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><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">8</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.">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> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>that 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><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 15:12-18</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="/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="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Nehemiah 5:1-13</a></span><br />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.” ...<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="/ezekiel/46-17.htm">Ezekiel 46:17</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">2 Kings 23:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-31.htm">2 Chronicles 34:31</a></span><br />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.<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="/romans/6-18.htm">Romans 6:18</a></span><br />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/8-32.htm">John 8:32-36</a></span><br />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. ...<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="/matthew/18-27.htm">Matthew 18:27</a></span><br />His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him.<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="/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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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;</p><p class="hdg">had.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/11-17.htm">2 Kings 11:17</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">2 Kings 23:2,3</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/15-12.htm">2 Chronicles 15:12-15</a></b></br> And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; … </p><p class="hdg">to proclaim.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/34-14.htm">Jeremiah 34:14,17</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2-4</a></b></br> If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-10.htm">Exodus 23:10,11</a></b></br> And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: … </p><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><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'; </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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/jeremiah/34.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>After King Zedekiah had made a covenant</b><br />The phrase "After King Zedekiah had made a covenant" introduces us to a significant moment in the history of Judah. The Hebrew word for "covenant" is "בְּרִית" (berit), which implies a solemn agreement or promise, often with divine implications. In the ancient Near Eastern context, covenants were binding and sacred, often sealed with rituals or sacrifices. King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, is attempting to align his actions with the will of God, reflecting a moment of potential repentance and reform. This covenant is a pivotal point, as it shows Zedekiah's acknowledgment of the need for change and obedience to God's laws, particularly concerning the treatment of Hebrew slaves.<p><b>with all the people in Jerusalem</b><br />The phrase "with all the people in Jerusalem" indicates that this covenant was not a private or isolated event but involved the entire community. The inclusion of "all the people" suggests a communal responsibility and a collective return to the covenantal laws given by God. Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Judah, is the focal point of this reform. This highlights the importance of community in the biblical narrative, where the actions of the leaders and the people are intertwined. The covenant's communal nature underscores the biblical principle that societal change requires collective commitment and action.<p><b>to proclaim liberty</b><br />The phrase "to proclaim liberty" is rooted in the Hebrew word "דְּרוֹר" (deror), which means freedom or release. This proclamation is reminiscent of the Year of Jubilee described in <a href="/leviticus/25.htm">Leviticus 25</a>, where liberty was to be proclaimed throughout the land, and slaves were to be set free. This act of proclaiming liberty is a powerful symbol of God's desire for justice and freedom for His people. It reflects the heart of God, who hears the cries of the oppressed and calls for their liberation. In a spiritual sense, this liberty points to the ultimate freedom found in Christ, who liberates us from the bondage of sin.<p><b>to the slaves</b><br />The phrase "to the slaves" refers to the Hebrew slaves who were to be set free as part of this covenant. In the ancient world, slavery was a common practice, but the Mosaic Law provided specific regulations to protect Hebrew slaves, including their release in the seventh year (<a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2</a>). The mention of "slaves" here highlights the social injustices that had crept into Judah, as the people had failed to observe these laws. This call to free the slaves is a call to return to God's righteous standards and to restore dignity and freedom to those who had been oppressed. It serves as a reminder of God's compassion and justice, urging His people to reflect His character in their societal structures.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/34.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">After that the king Zedekiah had made炉 a covenant . . .</span>--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><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A covenant.</span> 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>.). <span class="cmt_word">To proclaim liberty unto them.</span> 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/34-8.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">After</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרֵ֡י</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">King</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Zedekiah</span><br /><span class="heb">צִדְקִיָּ֜הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6667.htm">Strong's 6667: </a> </span><span class="str2">Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had made</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּרֹת֩</span> <span class="translit">(kə·rōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרִ֗ית</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Jerusalem</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(bî·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to proclaim</span><br /><span class="heb">לִקְרֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(liq·rō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">liberty,</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּרֽוֹר׃</span> <span class="translit">(də·rō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1865.htm">Strong's 1865: </a> </span><span class="str2">Freedom, spontaneity of outflow, clear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the word</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּבָ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(had·dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jeremiah</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yir·mə·yā·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3414.htm">Strong's 3414: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֵ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | 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">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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>