Jeremiah 34:17-22

17 propterea haec dicit Dominus vos non audistis me ut praedicaretis libertatem unusquisque fratri suo et unusquisque amico suo ecce ego praedico libertatem ait Dominus ad gladium et pestem et famem et dabo vos in commotionem cunctis regnis terrae

18 et dabo viros qui praevaricantur foedus meum et non observaverunt verba foederis quibus adsensi sunt in conspectu meo vitulum quem ceciderunt in duas partes et transierunt inter divisiones eius

19 principes Iuda et principes Hierusalem eunuchi et sacerdotes et omnis populus terrae qui transierunt inter divisiones vituli

20 et dabo eos in manu inimicorum suorum et in manu quaerentium animam eorum et erit morticinum eorum in escam volucribus caeli et bestiis terrae

21 et Sedeciam regem Iuda et principes eius dabo in manu inimicorum suorum et in manu quaerentium animam eorum et in manu exercituum regis Babylonis qui recesserunt a vobis

22 ecce ego praecipio dicit Dominus et reducam eos in civitatem hanc et proeliabuntur adversum eam et capient eam et incendent igni et civitates Iuda dabo in solitudinem eo quod non sit habitator

Jeremiah 34:17-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 34

In this chapter is a prophecy of the taking and burning of Jerusalem; of the captivity of Zedekiah king of Judah; and of the destruction of the whole land, because of their breach of covenant to let servants go free. The time of this prophecy is observed, Jer 34:1,6,7; the taking and burning of the city, Jer 34:2; the carrying captive the king, who yet should not die a violent death, but in peace, and should have an honourable funeral, Jer 34:3-5; the covenant the king, princes, and people entered into, to let their servants go free, according to the law of God, which was at first observed, and afterwards retracted, Jer 34:8-11; which conduct is taken notice of and resented, Jer 34:13-16; and they are threatened with the sore judgments of God, sword, famine, pestilence, and captivity, the king, princes, priests, and people; and with the destruction, not on of Jerusalem, but of the rest of the cities of Judah, Jer 34:17-22.