King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 34:21 Mean?

Jeremiah 34:21 in the King James Version says “And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that se...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

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;

20

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.

21

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.

22

Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.

Read Jeremiah 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies—despite royal status and covenant lineage (Zedekiah was Davidic), the king faces identical judgment as his subjects. The Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) promised eternal dynasty, but conditioned individual kings' reigns on obedience (1 Kings 9:4-9). Zedekiah violated covenant by initiating then breaking the slave release agreement; his leadership position increases rather than mitigates guilt. To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

The king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from you—God's judgment includes bitter irony. Babylon temporarily withdrew when Egypt threatened their siege (37:5-11); Zedekiah and the people interpreted this as divine deliverance answering their covenant-making. Instead, God declares: that army you thought gone will return. The withdrawal was test, not rescue; they failed by immediately re-enslaving freed servants. God's judgments often include allowing us to reap precisely what we sowed—Zedekiah sought political deliverance without heart repentance, so God gave him political destruction.

2 Kings 25:6-7 records the prophecy's fulfillment: Zedekiah fled Jerusalem, was captured near Jericho, witnessed his sons' execution, then had his eyes gouged out—the last sight he saw was his dynasty's end. He died in Babylonian prison (52:11), fulfilling also Ezekiel's prophecy that he would "come to Babylon" but "not see it" (Ezekiel 12:13). When human kingdoms reject God's covenant, they discover He remains sovereign over all earthly power—Babylon was merely His instrument (27:6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zedekiah (597-586 BCE) was Babylon's puppet king, installed after Jehoiachin's deportation. He foolishly rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, trusting Egyptian promises. When Egypt briefly engaged Babylon (588 BCE), Zedekiah interpreted this as vindication. Jeremiah repeatedly warned this was false hope (34:21-22; 37:6-10). After the Babylonians returned, they systematically destroyed every fortified Judean city, then Jerusalem itself. Archaeological evidence from Lachish, Azekah, and other sites confirms this campaign's thoroughness—Judah was utterly devastated.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Zedekiah's story warn against mistaking temporary relief from consequences as divine approval of ongoing sin?
  2. In what ways might religious or political leadership actually increase covenant accountability rather than provide exemption?
  3. Why is seeking God's blessing (deliverance from enemies) while rejecting God's commands ultimately futile?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאֶת1 of 18
H853

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

צִדְקִיָּ֨הוּ2 of 18

“And Zedekiah”

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

מֶ֣לֶךְ3 of 18

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֜ה4 of 18

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וְאֶת5 of 18
H853

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

שָׂרָ֗יו6 of 18

“and his princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

אֶתֵּן֙7 of 18

“will I give”

H5414

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

וּבְיַד8 of 18

“and 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

אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם9 of 18

“of their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

וּבְיַד10 of 18

“and 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

מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י11 of 18

“of them that seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

נַפְשָׁ֑ם12 of 18

“their life”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וּבְיַד13 of 18

“and 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

חֵ֚יל14 of 18

“army”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

מֶ֣לֶךְ15 of 18

“king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל16 of 18

“of Babylon's”

H894

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

הָעֹלִ֖ים17 of 18

“which are gone up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מֵעֲלֵיכֶֽם׃18 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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 34:21 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 34:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 52:24-27Jeremiah 39:6Ezekiel 17:16Jeremiah 37:5-11Jeremiah 52:102 Kings 25:18-21

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 34 →

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