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This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“‘But listen to this promise from the LORD, O Zedekiah, king of Judah. This is what the LORD says: You will not be killed in war<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the LORD concerning you: ‘You shall not die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the LORD concerning you: ‘You shall not die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, Zedekiah king of Judah! This is what the LORD says concerning you: ‘You will not die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the LORD concerning you, &#8216You will not die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the LORD concerning you, ‘You will not die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Yet hear the word of Yahweh, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says Yahweh concerning you, ‘You will not die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the LORD concerning you, ‘You will not die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“ ‘Yet hear the LORD’s word, King Zedekiah of Judah. This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Yet hear the LORD&#8217s word, Zedekiah, king of Judah. This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of Jehovah, O Zedekiah king of Judah: thus saith Jehovah concerning thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Zedekiah, I promise that you won't die in battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah: thus saith the LORD concerning thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />" 'Listen to the word of the LORD, King Zedekiah of Judah. This is what the LORD says about you: You will not die in war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Zedekiah, listen to what I say about you. You will not be killed in battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet, hear this message from the LORD, king Zedekiah of Judah. This is what the LORD says to you, 'You won't die by the sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />However, listen to what I, the LORD, promise you, King Zedekiah of Judah. I, the LORD, promise that you will not die in battle or be executed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah: thus says the LORD concerning you, 'You shall not die by the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD concerning thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Yet hear Yahweh’s word, O Zedekiah king of Judah. Yahweh says concerning you, ‘You won’t die by the sword. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Only, hear a word of YHWH, O Zedekiah king of Judah—thus said YHWH to you: You do not die by sword,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Only, hear a word of Jehovah, O Zedekiah king of Judah, Thus said Jehovah unto thee: Thou dost not die by sword,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But hear the word of Jehovah, O Zedekiah, king of Judah: Thus said Jehovah concerning thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the Lord, O Sedecias king of Juda: Thus saith the Lord to thee: Thou shalt not die by the sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Even so, listen to the word of the Lord, Zedekiah, king of Judah: Thus says the Lord to you: You will not die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Just hear the word of the LORD, Zedekiah, king of Judah! Then, says the LORD concerning you, you shall not die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O King Zedekiah of Judah! Thus says the LORD concerning you: You shall not die by the sword;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; thus says the LORD concerning you, You shall not die by the sword; but you shall die in peace;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />However, hear the word of LORD JEHOVAH, Tsedeqia, King of Judea: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH unto you: ‘You shall not die by the sword<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah: Thus saith the LORD concerning thee: Thou shalt not die by the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But hear the word of the Lord, O Sedekias king of Juda; Thus saith the Lord,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/34-4.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=10582" 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">A Prophecy Against Zedekiah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>And you yourself will not escape his grasp, but will surely be captured and delivered into his hand. You will see the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak with him face to face; and you will go to Babylon. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">Yet</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šə·ma‘ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">hear</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇar- (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the word</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.">of the LORD,</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.">O Zedekiah</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">of Judah.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh- (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">This is what</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> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">concerning you:</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ṯā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">die</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: be·ḥā·reḇ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">by the sword;</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>you will die in peace. As spices were burned for your fathers, the former kings who preceded you, so people will burn spices for you and lament, ‘Alas, O master!’ For I Myself have spoken this word, declares the LORD.”…<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="/jeremiah/21-7.htm">Jeremiah 21:7</a></span><br />‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/38-17.htm">Jeremiah 38:17-18</a></span><br />Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive. / But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/39-4.htm">Jeremiah 39:4-5</a></span><br />When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and they went out along the route to the Arabah. / But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-4.htm">2 Kings 25:4-5</a></span><br />Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, / but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-13.htm">Ezekiel 12:13</a></span><br />But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-17.htm">2 Chronicles 36:17</a></span><br />So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20</a></span><br />The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/39-7.htm">Isaiah 39:7</a></span><br />And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/20-18.htm">2 Kings 20:18</a></span><br />And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/17-20.htm">Ezekiel 17:20</a></span><br />I will spread My net over him and catch him in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment upon him there for the treason he committed against Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/24-12.htm">2 Kings 24:12</a></span><br />Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/52-9.htm">Jeremiah 52:9</a></span><br />The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on Zedekiah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-27.htm">2 Kings 25:27-30</a></span><br />On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Judah’s King Jehoiachin, in the year Evil-merodach became king of Babylon, he released King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. / And he spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and set his throne above the thrones of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. / So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he dined regularly at the king’s table for the rest of his life. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/1-1.htm">Daniel 1:1-2</a></span><br />In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. / And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-11.htm">Matthew 1:11</a></span><br />and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus said the LORD of you, You shall not die by the sword:</p><p class="hdg">no reference </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/31-30.htm">Death</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-30.htm">Die</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-23.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-9.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-2.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-14.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-4.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-1.htm">Word</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-2.htm">Zedekiah</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-5.htm">Zedeki'ah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/38-2.htm">Death</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-5.htm">Die</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-14.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/36-3.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-6.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/haggai/2-5.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-17.htm">Sword</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">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>Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah.</b><br>Zedekiah was the last king of Judah, reigning from 597 to 586 BC. His reign was marked by political instability and rebellion against Babylonian rule. The phrase "hear the word of the LORD" emphasizes the importance of divine communication and the need for Zedekiah to heed God's message. This call to listen is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, highlighting the authority of God's word over human rulers. The historical context is crucial here, as Zedekiah was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his reign was characterized by a struggle between obedience to God and political alliances.<p><b>This is what the LORD says concerning you:</b><br>The phrase underscores the personal nature of God's message to Zedekiah. It reflects the prophetic tradition where God directly addresses individuals, often with messages of judgment or hope. This personal address indicates that God is aware of Zedekiah's specific circumstances and actions. The prophets often served as intermediaries, delivering God's specific instructions or judgments to kings and leaders, as seen in the ministries of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others.<p><b>You will not die by the sword;</b><br>This prophecy offers a specific assurance to Zedekiah regarding his fate. Despite the impending Babylonian siege and the destruction of Jerusalem, God promises that Zedekiah will not die in battle. This assurance contrasts with the fate of many other leaders and soldiers during the Babylonian conquest. Historically, Zedekiah was captured, blinded, and taken to Babylon, where he eventually died, fulfilling this prophecy. Theologically, this phrase can be seen as a demonstration of God's sovereignty and mercy, even in judgment. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's control over life and death, as seen in passages like <a href="/deuteronomy/32-39.htm">Deuteronomy 32:39</a> and <a href="/1_samuel/2-6.htm">1 Samuel 2:6</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah, often warning them of impending judgment due to their disobedience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/z/zedekiah.htm">Zedekiah</a></b><br>The last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. He was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and is known for his rebellion against Babylonian rule.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing imminent destruction and exile due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_conquest.htm">Babylonian Conquest</a></b><br>The historical event where Babylon, under King Nebuchadnezzar, besieged and eventually destroyed Jerusalem, leading to the exile of the Jewish people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who communicates His will and judgments through His prophets.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>God's pronouncement over Zedekiah demonstrates His control over nations and leaders. Despite Zedekiah's rebellion, God's word remains authoritative and true.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_god's_word.htm">The Certainty of God's Word</a></b><br>The prophecy assures that God's declarations will come to pass. Believers can trust in the reliability of God's promises and warnings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mercy_in_the_midst_of_judgment.htm">Mercy in the Midst of Judgment</a></b><br>Although Zedekiah faced consequences for his actions, God's promise that he would not die by the sword shows His mercy even in judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Zedekiah's account serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of obeying God's commands and the dangers of relying on human alliances and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_immediate_circumstances.htm">Hope Beyond Immediate Circumstances</a></b><br>Even in dire situations, God's plans include hope and restoration for those who turn back to Him, as seen in the broader account of Israel's eventual return from exile.<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/is_vaping_considered_sinful.htm">Who were Josiah's sons?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_themes_in_jeremiah.htm">What are the key themes in the Book of Jeremiah?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_89_align_with_david's_end.htm">How does Psalm 89:36-37's promise of an everlasting Davidic monarchy align with the historical end of the Davidic line?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jeremiah_7_4_deny_temple_protection.htm">Jeremiah 7:4: How can this passage imply the temple offers no protection despite other texts suggesting God's presence there protects His people?</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>(4) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt not die by the sword.</span>--The tone is one of comparative mildness, the motive apparently being the wish to persuade the king to abandon his useless resistance, and to court the favour of the conqueror. His going to Babylon would not necessarily shut him out from a life of comparative ease and an honourable burial. Jeconiah, it is true, had been thrown into prison (<a href="/jeremiah/51-31.htm" title="One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,">Jeremiah 51:31</a>), and remained there during the whole reign of Nebuchadnezzar, but that was the result of his obstinate resistance, and Zedekiah might avert that doom by a timely submission.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Yet hear the word of the Lord,</span> etc. Clearly this introduces a limitation of the foregoing threat. Zedekiah will, it is true, be carried to Babylon, but he will not suffer a violent death; he will "die in peace," and be buried with all customary royal honours. A difficulty, however, has been felt in admitting this view. How could Zedekiah be said to die in peace, when he was "in prison till the day of his death" (<a href="/jeremiah/52-11.htm">Jeremiah 52:11</a>)? and how could the deposed king of a captive people be honoured with a public mourning? The reply is <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> that, as compared with a cruel death by flaying or impalement, it was "peace" to live in the obscure quiet of a prison; and <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> that, as the Jews appear to have been left very much to themselves (see Ezekiel, <span class="accented">passim</span>), it is credible enough that they were allowed to show the customary honours to a deceased representative of David. At any rate, the alternative view seems not in accordance with sound exegesis, viz. that the verse means this, "If thou obey the word of the Lord, and surrender thyself to Nebuchadnezzar, thou shalt live and die in peaceable possession of the throne." What parallel can be produced for this violent interpretation? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/34-4.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">Yet</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֚ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’aḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A particle of affirmation, surely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hear</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמַ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ma‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the word</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבַר־</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<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">of the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O Zedekiah</span><br /><span class="heb">צִדְקִיָּ֖הוּ</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">king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֣לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<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">of Judah.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוּדָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hū·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">This is what</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(kōh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like this, thus, here, now</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">concerning you:</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֶ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You will not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">die</span><br /><span class="heb">תָמ֖וּת</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the sword;</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּחָֽרֶב׃</span> <span class="translit">(be·ḥā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/34-4.htm">Jeremiah 34:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/34-4.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 34:4 Yet hear the word of Yahweh O (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/34-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 34:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 34:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/34-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 34:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 34:5" /></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>