King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 34:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 34:3 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 34:3 · 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:

5

But thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings which were before thee, so shall they burn odours for thee; and they will lament thee, saying, Ah lord! for I have pronounced the word, saith the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The phrase "shalt surely be taken" translates the Hebrew infinitive absolute construction (taphos yittaphes), expressing absolute certainty—no possibility of escape exists. God here addresses Zedekiah's secret hope that he might personally avoid capture even if Jerusalem fell. Divine omniscience penetrates human self-deception: Zedekiah's capture is decreed.

Thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon predicts humiliating face-to-face confrontation with Nebuchadnezzar. The Hebrew emphasizes personal encounter: "his eyes to your eyes, his mouth to your mouth." This prophecy found horrific fulfillment: Zedekiah's sons were slaughtered before his eyes, then his eyes were gouged out—making that traumatic sight his last vision before being led blind to Babylon (2 Kings 25:6-7; Jeremiah 39:6-7). The ironic fulfillment teaches that attempts to avoid God's word lead to consequences worse than submission would have brought.

The certainty of prophecy demonstrates God's exhaustive foreknowledge and sovereign control over historical events. Zedekiah's destiny was fixed not by impersonal fate but by divine decree responding to covenant rebellion. This passage illustrates that resisting God's revealed will intensifies rather than avoids judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Zedekiah attempted escape when Jerusalem's walls were breached (Jeremiah 39:4; 52:7), proving this prophecy's accuracy about his capture attempt. He was seized near Jericho and brought to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah (Syria). The gruesome punishment—watching his sons' execution before being blinded—combined personal agony with political message: rebellion against Babylon brought total ruin. The phrase "speak with thee mouth to mouth" predicted the judgment pronouncement at Riblah (Jeremiah 39:5-7). Historical records confirm Babylonian kings personally oversaw important trials and executions. This fulfilled Ezekiel's seemingly contradictory prophecy that Zedekiah would go to Babylon but not see it (Ezekiel 12:13)—he arrived there blind.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Zedekiah's attempt to escape inevitable judgment mirror human tendency to evade rather than repent when confronted with sin?
  2. What does the precise fulfillment of detailed prophecy teach about Scripture's reliability and God's sovereign control?
  3. How should awareness that God sees our secret hopes and plans shape our response to His revealed will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאַתָּ֗ה1 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

לֹ֚א2 of 21
H3808

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

תִמָּלֵט֙3 of 21

And thou shalt not escape out

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

וּבְיָד֖וֹ4 of 21

into his 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

כִּ֚י5 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תִּתָּפֵ֔שׂ6 of 21

be taken

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

תִּתָּפֵ֔שׂ7 of 21

be taken

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

וּבְיָד֖וֹ8 of 21

into his 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

תִּנָּתֵ֑ן9 of 21

and delivered

H5414

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

עֵינֵ֨י10 of 21

and thine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אֶת11 of 21
H853

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

עֵינֵ֨י12 of 21

and thine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

מֶֽלֶךְ13 of 21

of the king

H4428

a king

וּבָבֶ֥ל14 of 21

of Babylon

H894

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

תִּרְאֶ֗ינָה15 of 21

shall behold

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

פִּ֥יךָ16 of 21

to mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

אֶת17 of 21
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

פִּ֥יךָ18 of 21

to mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

יְדַבֵּ֖ר19 of 21

and he shall speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

וּבָבֶ֥ל20 of 21

of Babylon

H894

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

תָּבֽוֹא׃21 of 21

and thou shalt go

H935

to go or come (in a wide 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 34:3 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 34:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study