Jeremiah 34:15
And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:
Original Language Analysis
וַתָּשֻׁ֨בוּ
turned
H7725
וַתָּשֻׁ֨בוּ
turned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַיּ֗וֹם
And ye were now
H3117
הַיּ֗וֹם
And ye were now
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וַתַּעֲשׂ֤וּ
and had done
H6213
וַתַּעֲשׂ֤וּ
and had done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּעֵינַ֔י
in my sight
H5869
בְּעֵינַ֔י
in my sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 19
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
נִקְרָ֥א
in proclaiming
H7121
נִקְרָ֥א
in proclaiming
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
דְר֖וֹר
liberty
H1865
דְר֖וֹר
liberty
Strong's:
H1865
Word #:
9 of 19
freedom; hence, spontaneity of outflow, and so clear
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וַתִּכְרְת֤וּ
and ye had made
H3772
וַתִּכְרְת֤וּ
and ye had made
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
12 of 19
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בְרִית֙
a covenant
H1285
בְרִית֙
a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
13 of 19
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
לְפָנַ֔י
before
H6440
לְפָנַ֔י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בַּבַּ֕יִת
me in the house
H1004
בַּבַּ֕יִת
me in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
15 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִקְרָ֥א
in proclaiming
H7121
נִקְרָ֥א
in proclaiming
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
17 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Jeremiah 34:8This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;2 Kings 23:3And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.Nehemiah 10:29They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;
Historical Context
During Babylon's siege, Judah freed slaves hoping to gain God's favor. When Babylon temporarily withdrew (Jer 37:5), they re-enslaved them, revealing their hearts.
Questions for Reflection
- What does incomplete obedience reveal about the heart's true condition?
- How do you guard against circumstantial rather than genuine repentance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Temporary repentance reveals the heart's deceitfulness. Judah freed Hebrew slaves during the siege (obeying Deut 15:12), performed the covenant ceremony, then re-enslaved them when pressure lifted. God notes they did 'that which was right in my sight' - momentary obedience - but then profaned His name by covenant-breaking. True repentance perseveres; false repentance is conditional on circumstances.