King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 34:17 Mean?

Jeremiah 34:17 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and ever... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. to be: Heb. for a removing

Jeremiah 34:17 · KJV


Context

15

And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name: now: Heb. to day which: Heb. whereupon my name is called

16

But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.

17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. to be: Heb. for a removing

18

And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,

19

The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This is measure-for-measure justice. Judah refused to proclaim liberty to slaves (violating covenant law), so God proclaims liberty to sword, pestilence, and famine to devour them. The Hebrew word 'deror' (liberty/freedom) is used ironically - they'll have 'freedom' to be destroyed. God's judgment often gives people what they desired but with devastating consequences.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This reversal of blessing into curse fulfills Deuteronomy's covenant warnings (Deut 28). Covenant breaking brings covenant curses.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes give us what we think we want as judgment?
  2. What does this teach about the seriousness of covenant obligations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
לָכֵן֮1 of 32
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּה2 of 32
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר3 of 32

Therefore thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 32

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אַתֶּם֙5 of 32
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

לֹֽא6 of 32
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שְׁמַעְתֶּ֣ם7 of 32

Ye have not hearkened

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֵלַ֔י8 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קֹרֵא֩9 of 32

behold I proclaim

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

דְּר֜וֹר10 of 32

a liberty

H1865

freedom; hence, spontaneity of outflow, and so clear

וְאִ֣ישׁ11 of 32

and every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְאָחִ֖יו12 of 32

to his brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְאִ֣ישׁ13 of 32

and every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְרֵעֵ֑הוּ14 of 32

to his neighbour

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

הִנְנִ֣י15 of 32
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

קֹרֵא֩16 of 32

behold I proclaim

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לָכֶ֨ם17 of 32
H0
דְּר֜וֹר18 of 32

a liberty

H1865

freedom; hence, spontaneity of outflow, and so clear

נְאֻם19 of 32

for you saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֗ה20 of 32

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל21 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַחֶ֙רֶב֙22 of 32

to the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֶל23 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַדֶּ֣בֶר24 of 32

to the pestilence

H1698

a pestilence

וְאֶל25 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָרָעָ֔ב26 of 32

and to the famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וְנָתַתִּ֤י27 of 32

and I will make

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶתְכֶם֙28 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְזַוָ֔עֲה29 of 32
H2113

agitation, fear

לְכֹ֖ל30 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַמְלְכ֥וֹת31 of 32

into all the kingdoms

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃32 of 32

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 34:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 34:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study