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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 34:20 I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/34-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/24_Jer_34_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 34:20 - Freedom for Hebrew Slaves" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. 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Their dead bodies will become food for the birds and the wild animals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I will give you to your enemies, and they will kill you. Your bodies will be food for the vultures and wild animals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their lives. Their dead bodies shall be food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. Their dead bodies shall be for meat for the birds of the heaven and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will hand them over to their enemies and to those who seek their lives. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the animals of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. And their dead bodies shall be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I will give into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their lives. And [like the body of the calf] their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />all these I will hand over to their enemies, to those who intend to take their life. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />will be handed over to their enemies, to those who want to take their life. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life; and their dead bodies shall be for food unto the birds of the heavens, and to the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I will hand them over to their enemies who want to kill them, and their corpses will be food for birds and wild animals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I will hand them over to their enemies, who want to kill them, and their corpses will be eaten by birds and wild animals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I'll give them to their enemies who are seeking to kill them, and their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the animals of the land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I will hand them over to their enemies who want to kill them. Their dead bodies will become food for the birds and the wild animals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their life; and their dead bodies shall be for food to the birds of the sky, and to the animals of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for food to the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will even give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. Their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and for the animals of the earth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />indeed, I have given them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those seeking their soul, and their carcass has been for food to the bird of the heavens, and to the beast of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> yea, I have given them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those seeking their soul, and their carcase hath been for food to the fowl of the heavens, and to the beast of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I gave them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those seeking their soul; and their corpses were for food to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I will give them into the hands of their enemies, and into the hands of them that seek their life : and their dead bodies shall be for meat to the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I will give them into the hands of their enemies and into the hands of those who are seeking their life. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the air and for the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />These I will hand over to their enemies, to those who seek their lives: their corpses shall become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />shall be handed over to their enemies and to those who seek their lives. Their corpses shall become food for the birds of the air and the wild animals of the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I will deliver them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their lives; and their dead bodies shall be food for the fowls of the air and for the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I shall deliver them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their souls, and their corpses shall be food for the birds of Heaven and for the beasts of the Earth<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life; and their dead bodies shall be for food unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I will even give them to their enemies, and their carcases shall be food for the birds of the sky and for the wild beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/34-20.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=10793" 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">19</span>The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf, <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nā·ṯat·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">I will deliver</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yaḏ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">into the hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·yə·ḇê·hem (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3mp) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">of their enemies</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ū·ḇə·yaḏ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: mə·ḇaq·šê (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">who seek</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">their lives.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5038.htm" title="5038: niḇ·lā·ṯām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- A carcass, corpse. From nabel; a flabby thing, i.e. A carcase or carrion; figuratively, an idol.">Their corpses</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yə·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will become</a> <a href="/hebrew/3978.htm" title="3978: lə·ma·’ă·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Food. From 'akal; an eatable.">food</a> <a href="/hebrew/5775.htm" title="5775: lə·‘ō·wp̄ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Flying creatures. From uwph; a bird, often collectively.">for the birds</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of the air</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: ū·lə·ḇe·hĕ·maṯ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-fsc) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">and the beasts</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the earth.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>And I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives, to the army of the king of Babylon that had withdrawn from you.…<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="/deuteronomy/28-26.htm">Deuteronomy 28:26</a></span><br />Your corpses will be food for all the birds of the air and beasts of the earth, with no one to scare them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-44.htm">1 Samuel 17:44</a></span><br />“Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-11.htm">1 Kings 14:11</a></span><br />Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.’ For the LORD has spoken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/16-4.htm">1 Kings 16:4</a></span><br />Anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-24.htm">1 Kings 21:24</a></span><br />Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-36.htm">2 Kings 9:36-37</a></span><br />So they went back and told Jehu, who replied, “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel. / And Jezebel’s body will lie like dung in the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one can say: This is Jezebel.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/79-2.htm">Psalm 79:2</a></span><br />They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/18-6.htm">Isaiah 18:6</a></span><br />They will all be left to the mountain birds of prey, and to the beasts of the land. The birds will feed on them in summer, and all the wild animals in winter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-9.htm">Isaiah 56:9</a></span><br />Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/29-5.htm">Ezekiel 29:5</a></span><br />I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and will not be taken away or gathered for burial. I have given you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/32-4.htm">Ezekiel 32:4</a></span><br />I will abandon you on the land and hurl you into the open field. I will cause all the birds of the air to settle upon you, and all the beasts of the earth to eat their fill of you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/39-17.htm">Ezekiel 39:17-20</a></span><br />And as for you, son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says: Call out to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great feast on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. / You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals of Bashan. / At the sacrifice I am preparing, you will eat fat until you are gorged and drink blood until you are drunk. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-17.htm">Revelation 19:17-18</a></span><br />Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, / so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-28.htm">Matthew 24:28</a></span><br />Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-37.htm">Luke 17:37</a></span><br />“Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat to the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.</p><p class="hdg">and into.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/4-30.htm">Jeremiah 4:30</a></b></br> And <i>when</i> thou <i>art</i> spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; <i>thy</i> lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/11-21.htm">Jeremiah 11:21</a></b></br> Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/21-7.htm">Jeremiah 21:7</a></b></br> And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.</p><p class="hdg">and their.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/7-33.htm">Jeremiah 7:33</a></b></br> And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray <i>them</i> away.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/16-4.htm">Jeremiah 16:4</a></b></br> They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; <i>but</i> they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/19-7.htm">Jeremiah 19:7</a></b></br> And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/16-4.htm">Air</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-12.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-12.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-18.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-7.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-5.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-22.htm">Carcase</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-7.htm">Carcases</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-5.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-17.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-16.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-36.htm">Food</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-10.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-7.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-3.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-13.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-25.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-25.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-25.htm">Life</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-18.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-14.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-17.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-22.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-41.htm">Soul</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/31-6.htm">Air</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-3.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-3.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-20.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/41-7.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-31.htm">Carcase</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-5.htm">Carcases</a> <a href="/jeremiah/36-30.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-8.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-2.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-23.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/ezekiel/31-6.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-17.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-18.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Life</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-11.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-17.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Soul</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 /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives.</b><br>This phrase reflects God's judgment upon those who have broken His covenant. In the context of <a href="/jeremiah/34.htm">Jeremiah 34</a>, King Zedekiah and the people of Judah had made a covenant to release their Hebrew slaves, but they reneged on this promise. The phrase "deliver into the hands of their enemies" is a common biblical expression indicating divine judgment and abandonment to the consequences of one's actions. Historically, this refers to the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, where the Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, were the enemies seeking the lives of the Judeans. This judgment is consistent with the covenant curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where disobedience leads to being handed over to enemies. Theologically, it underscores the seriousness of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of breaking it.<p><b>Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.</b><br>This imagery is a vivid depiction of disgrace and dishonor in ancient Near Eastern culture. Proper burial was important in Israelite society, and the lack of it was seen as a curse and a sign of divine disfavor. The phrase echoes the covenant curses found in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-26.htm">Deuteronomy 28:26</a>, where disobedience results in bodies being left unburied, a fate considered shameful and humiliating. This also connects to the prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah earlier in his ministry (<a href="/jeremiah/7-33.htm">Jeremiah 7:33, 16</a>:4), emphasizing the certainty and severity of God's judgment. Theologically, it serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. In a broader biblical context, it foreshadows the ultimate judgment and separation from God for those who reject His covenant, contrasting with the hope of resurrection and eternal life for the faithful.<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 messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. He is known for his perseverance in the face of opposition.<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. His reign was marked by disobedience to God and eventual downfall.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonians.htm">Babylonians (Chaldeans)</a></b><br>The empire that besieged Jerusalem and eventually led to the destruction of the city and the temple, fulfilling God's judgment.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was under threat due to its disobedience and idolatry.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_breakers.htm">Covenant Breakers</a></b><br>The people of Judah who broke their covenant with God, leading to the severe consequences described in this passage.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>God's warnings through His prophets are serious and should not be taken lightly. Disobedience leads to severe consequences, as seen in the fate of Judah.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>God is in control of nations and their destinies. His judgments are just and serve His greater purpose of righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_keeping_covenants.htm">The Importance of Keeping Covenants</a></b><br>Breaking covenants with God leads to spiritual and physical ruin. We are called to be faithful to our commitments to God and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_divine_judgment.htm">The Reality of Divine Judgment</a></b><br>The imagery of bodies being left for scavengers is a stark reminder of the reality of God's judgment. It calls us to live in a way that honors God and avoids such outcomes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_repentance.htm">Hope in Repentance</a></b><br>While this passage focuses on judgment, the broader context of Jeremiah includes calls to repentance and the promise of restoration for those who turn back to God.<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/what_does_'subject_to_authorities'_mean.htm">What horrors occur in the Valley of Slaughter?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_proof_of_judgment_in_psalm_125_5.htm">In Psalm 125:5, is there historical or archaeological proof of a specific judgment that differentiates the fate of the righteous from the 'evildoers' mentioned?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_pashur's_exile_death_in_babylon.htm">In Jeremiah 20:3-6, is there any historical or archeological evidence to confirm Pashur's exile and death in Babylon?</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>(20) <span class= "bld">Their dead bodies shall be for meat . . .</span>--As in <a href="/jeremiah/7-33.htm" title="And the carcasses of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.">Jeremiah 7:33</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/16-4.htm" title="They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung on the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcasses shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.">Jeremiah 16:4</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/19-7.htm" title="And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcasses will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.">Jeremiah 19:7</a>, this takes its place as the extremest penalty of transgression. The sentence on Zedekiah and his princes--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> those who were more immediately connected with his policy--is as before (<a href="/jeremiah/34-5.htm" title="But you shall die in peace: and with the burnings of your fathers, the former kings which were before you, so shall they burn odors for you; and they will lament you, saying, Ah lord! for I have pronounced the word, said the LORD.">Jeremiah 34:5</a>) somewhat milder, probably because he, though too weak and vacillating to stop the evil which the prophet condemned, had not been actively prominent in the transgression of the covenant, and showed more disposition, as in <a href="/jeremiah/37-17.htm" title="Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, you shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.">Jeremiah 37:17</a>, to listen to his counsels.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And their dead bodies,</span> etc. One of Jeremiah's repetitions (see <a href="/jeremiah/7-33.htm">Jeremiah 7:33</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/34-20.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">I will hand over</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָתַתִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·ṯat·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיַ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their enemies</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·yə·ḇê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who seek</span><br /><span class="heb">מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḇaq·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their lives.</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשָׁ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Their corpses</span><br /><span class="heb">נִבְלָתָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(niḇ·lā·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5038.htm">Strong's 5038: </a> </span><span class="str2">A flabby thing, a carcase, carrion, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will become</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָיְתָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine 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">food</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמַֽאֲכָ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ma·’ă·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3978.htm">Strong's 3978: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eatable</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the birds</span><br /><span class="heb">לְע֥וֹף</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ō·wp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5775.htm">Strong's 5775: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flying creatures</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the air</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the beasts</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְבֶהֱמַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·ḇe·hĕ·maṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the earth.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/34-20.htm">Jeremiah 34:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/34-20.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 34:20 I will even give them into (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/34-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 34:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 34:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 34:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 34:21" /></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>