King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 34:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 34:2 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behol...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:”

Jeremiah 34:2 · KJV

Context

1

The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion , and all the people, fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof, saying, of his: Heb. the dominion of his hand

2

Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:

3

And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon. he shall: Heb. his mouth shall speak to thy mouth

4

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:

Read Jeremiah 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire: God commands Jeremiah to deliver an unambiguous message of doom directly to King Zedekiah. The double formula "Thus saith the LORD" emphasizes divine authority—this is not Jeremiah's opinion but God's certain decree. The phrase "the God of Israel" (Elohei Yisrael) is laden with covenant irony: Israel's covenant God now decrees Israel's capital's destruction. The Hebrew construction "I will give" (natati) uses the prophetic perfect tense, indicating certainty as though already accomplished.

He shall burn it with fire fulfills the covenant curse of Deuteronomy 28:52: God warned that disobedience would bring enemy destruction of fortified cities. Archaeological excavation of Jerusalem's destruction layers confirms widespread burning from Babylon's 586 BCE assault. The fire represents not merely military strategy but divine judgment—God's holiness consuming what covenant violation defiled.

Theologically, this verse demonstrates: (1) Prophetic messages often contradict human hope but fulfill divine justice; (2) God's covenant relationship intensifies judgment when violated—"the God of Israel" destroys Israel's city; (3) divine sovereignty governs historical outcomes—Nebuchadnezzar acts as God's instrument; (4) prophets must speak unwelcome truth despite personal cost or royal opposition. The Reformed understanding that God ordains all events, including judgment, finds clear biblical warrant here.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy came during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BCE), when Zedekiah desperately sought deliverance. Jeremiah's consistent message contradicted the false prophets who promised peace (Jeremiah 28). Zedekiah, installed as Babylon's puppet king after Jehoiachin's exile (597 BCE), rebelled by making alliances with Egypt, violating his oath to Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 17:13-19). This rebellion combined political treachery with covenant violation—trusting Egypt rather than God (Isaiah 31:1). The prophecy's literal fulfillment (2 Kings 25:8-10) validated Jeremiah's ministry and demonstrated God's word's absolute reliability.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should Christians respond when God's clear word contradicts cultural optimism or personal preference?
  2. What does Zedekiah's response to unwelcome prophecy reveal about our hearts when confronted with biblical truth we'd rather not hear?
  3. In what ways does God's use of foreign nations as judgment instruments challenge simplistic 'God and country' nationalism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
כֹּֽה1 of 26
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר2 of 26

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 26

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י4 of 26

“the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל5 of 26

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הָלֹךְ֙6 of 26

“Go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אָמַ֣ר7 of 26

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל8 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

צִדְקִיָּ֖הוּ9 of 26

“to Zedekiah”

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ10 of 26

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֑ה11 of 26

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אָמַ֣ר12 of 26

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֗יו13 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּ֚ה14 of 26
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר15 of 26

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה16 of 26

“the LORD”

H3068

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

הִנְנִ֨י17 of 26
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

נֹתֵ֜ן18 of 26

“Behold I will give”

H5414

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

אֶת19 of 26
H853

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

הָעִ֤יר20 of 26

“this city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַזֹּאת֙21 of 26
H2063

this (often used adverb)

בְּיַ֣ד22 of 26

“into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֶֽלֶךְ23 of 26

“king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל24 of 26

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וּשְׂרָפָ֖הּ25 of 26

“and he shall burn”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

בָּאֵֽשׁ׃26 of 26

“it with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

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 34:2 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 34:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 21:10Jeremiah 34:22Jeremiah 32:32 Chronicles 36:11-12Jeremiah 22:1-2Jeremiah 37:8-10

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 34 →

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