Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 34

Verse 1

The Twenty-Seventh Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).

The word. This chapter is Ch. Jeremiah 32:1-5 , told over again more fully.

Nebuchadnezzar. Not that he was necessarily present.

fought = were fighting, or about to fight.

Verse 2

the LORD, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 11:3 .

Verse 3

thine eyes shall behold, &c. See note on Jeremiah 32:4 .

Verse 5

with. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "like".

burn odours. Compare 2 Chronicles 16:14 , and observe the word is saraph , not katar ( App-43 for both)

Verse 7

Lachish. Now Tell el Hesy, south of Eglon, ten and a half miles from Eleutheropolis.

Azekah. Now Tell Zakariya, in the valley of Elah. JEREMIAH: Page: 1066

Verse 8

The Twenty-Eighth Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).

a covenant. Note the illustration of the two covenants, (verses: Jeremiah 34:8-10 ) and (verses: Jeremiah 34:12-15 ), and compare with the other illustration in (Jeremiah 35:1-11 ).

to proclaim liberty, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 21:2 .Leviticus 25:10 , Leviticus 25:39-46 . Outside the Pent, the word occurs only in Isaiah 61:1 , and Ezekiel 46:17 .

Verse 9

every man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

go free. See note on Jeremiah 34:8 , and compare verses: Jeremiah 34:21 , Jeremiah 34:22 , which show that this covenant was made during a temporary withdrawal of the besiegers, on account of the Egyptians (Jeremiah 37:5 ).

serve himself of them = use them as bondservants.

Verse 10

The Twenty-Ninth Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).

every one = ' ish , as in Jeremiah 34:9 .

Verse 13

in the day = when. See App-18 .

bondmen = slaves.

Verse 15

which is called by My name = upon which My name is called.

Verse 16

polluted My name. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:12 , the same word). App-92 .

he = every man.

at their pleasure = for their own soul. Hebrew. nephesh ( App-13 ): "soul" being put for the affections of the person.

Verse 17

liberty . . . liberty. Figure of speech Antanaclasis , by which the same word is used in two different senses in the same sentence.

to. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "and to", completing the Figure of speech Polysyndeton .

make you to be removed. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:25 , Deuteronomy 28:64 ). App-92 . Compare Jeremiah 24:9 .

Verse 18

men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh. App-14 .

transgressed. Hebrew. 'abar. App-44 .

cut the calf in twain. Compare Genesis 15:9 , Genesis 15:10 .

passed between, &c. Ref to Pentateuch (Genesis 15:10-17 ).

Verse 20

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 21

which are gone up from you. See note on Jeremiah 34:9 .

Verse 22

a desolation, &c.: or, too desolate to have an inhabitant; or, desolate through having no inhabitant.