Jeremiah 34
CHAPTER 34
Jeremiah 34:1-22 . CAPTIVITY OF ZEDEKIAH AND THE PEOPLE FORETOLD FOR THEIR DISOBEDIENCE AND PERFIDY.
The prophecy ( Jeremiah 34:1-7 ) as to Zedekiah is an amplification of that in Jeremiah 32:1-5 , in consequence of which Jeremiah was then shut up in the court of the prison. The prophecy ( Jeremiah 34:8-22 ) refers to the Jews, who, afraid of the capture of the city, had, in obedience to the law, granted freedom to their servants at the end of seven years, but on the intermission of the siege forced them back into bondage.
1. Jerusalem and . . . all the cities that, in such a desperate position, he should reject admonition.
3. ( Jeremiah 32:4 ).
4, 5. Mitigation of Zedekiah's punishment.
5. the burnings of thy fathers--Thy funeral shall be honored with the same burning of aromatic spices as there was at the funerals of thy fathers ( 2 Chronicles 16:14 , 21:19 ). The honors here mentioned were denied to Jehoiakim ( Jeremiah 22:18 ).
Ah, lord!--The Hebrews in their chronology (Sederolam) mention the wailing used over him, "Alas! King Zedekiah is dead, drinking the dregs (that is, paying the penalty for the sins) of former ages."
7. these . . . retained--alone (compare 2 Chronicles 11:5 2 Chronicles 11:9 ).
8. By the law a Hebrew, after having been a bond-servant for six years, on the seventh was to be let go free ( Exodus 21:22 , Deuteronomy 15:12 ).
Zedekiah made a covenant--with solemn ceremonial in the temple ( Jeremiah 34:15 Jeremiah 34:18 Jeremiah 34:19 ).
them--bond-servants ( Jeremiah 34:9 ).
9. none . . . serve himself of a Jew--( Leviticus 25:39-46 ).
11. During the interruption of the siege by Pharaoh-hophra (compare Jeremiah 34:21 Jeremiah 34:22 , with Jeremiah 37:5-10 ), the Jews reduced their servants to bondage again.
13. The last year of Zedekiah was the sabbatical year. How just the retribution, that they who, against God's law and their own covenant, enslaved their brethren, should be doomed to bondage themselves: and that the bond-servants should enjoy the sabbatical freedom at the hands of the foe ( Jeremiah 52:16 ) which their own countrymen denied them!
14. At the end of seven years--that is, not on the eighth year, but within the limit of the seventh year, not later than the end of the seventh year ( Exodus 21:2 , 23:10 , Deuteronomy 15:12 ). So "at the end of three years" ( Deuteronomy 14:28 , 2 Kings 18:10 ), and "after three days, I will rise again" ( Matthew 27:63 ), that is, on the third day (compare Matthew 27:64 ).
15. in the house . . . called by my name--the usual place of making such covenants ( 2 Kings 23:3 ; compare 1 Kings 8:31 , Nehemiah 10:29 ).
16. polluted my name--by violating your oath ( Exodus 20:7 ).