Jeremiah 34:13

13 "This is what the LORD God of Israel says: I put a condition on the promise I made to your ancestors when I brought them from Egypt, where they were slaves. I said,

Jeremiah 34:13 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 34:13

Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel
The covenant God of Israel, their Creator, Redeemer, and Benefactor: I made a covenant with your fathers;
gave them a system of laws, among which was that of release of servants: in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt;
that is, at that time, quickly after, when they were come to Mount Sinai; this shows what fathers are meant, the Jewish ancestors that came out of Egypt, brought from thence by the mighty hand of God, and indulged with many favours by him, both in the wilderness, and in the land of Canaan, where he brought and settled them: out of the house of bondmen;
where they were bondmen, servants, and slaves: this is mentioned, to put them in mind of their former state and condition; to observe unto them the foundation and ground of the law concerning servants, how equitable and merciful it was, and to aggravate their sin; who though their fathers had been bondmen, and they must have been so too, had they not been released, yet acted such a cruel part to their servants, who were their brethren, in not discharging them in due time: saying;
giving out the following law, as a part of the covenant made with their fathers.

Jeremiah 34:13 In-Context

11 But afterwards, they changed their minds and took back the men and women they had freed and made them their slaves again.

12 The LORD spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said,

13 "This is what the LORD God of Israel says: I put a condition on the promise I made to your ancestors when I brought them from Egypt, where they were slaves. I said,

14 'Every seven years each of you must free any Hebrews who sold themselves to you. When they have served you for six years, you must set them free.' But your ancestors refused to obey me or listen to me.

15 Recently, you changed and did what I consider right. You agreed to free your neighbors, and you made a promise in my presence, in the temple that is called by my name.