Jeremiah 34:17
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵן֮
H3651
לָכֵן֮
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 32
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּה
H3541
כֹּה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 32
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 32
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֣ם
Ye have not hearkened
H8085
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֣ם
Ye have not hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 32
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
קֹרֵא֩
behold I proclaim
H7121
קֹרֵא֩
behold I proclaim
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
9 of 32
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
דְּר֜וֹר
a liberty
H1865
דְּר֜וֹר
a liberty
Strong's:
H1865
Word #:
10 of 32
freedom; hence, spontaneity of outflow, and so clear
וְאִ֣ישׁ
and every man
H376
וְאִ֣ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 32
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)
לְאָחִ֖יו
to his brother
H251
לְאָחִ֖יו
to his brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
12 of 32
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְאִ֣ישׁ
and every man
H376
וְאִ֣ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
13 of 32
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)
קֹרֵא֩
behold I proclaim
H7121
קֹרֵא֩
behold I proclaim
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
16 of 32
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
דְּר֜וֹר
a liberty
H1865
דְּר֜וֹר
a liberty
Strong's:
H1865
Word #:
18 of 32
freedom; hence, spontaneity of outflow, and so clear
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַחֶ֙רֶב֙
to the sword
H2719
הַחֶ֙רֶב֙
to the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
22 of 32
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְנָתַתִּ֤י
and I will make
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֤י
and I will make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
27 of 32
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶתְכֶם֙
H853
אֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
28 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְכֹ֖ל
H3605
לְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
30 of 32
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Matthew 7:2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.Galatians 6:7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.Jeremiah 29:18And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:Deuteronomy 28:25The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.Jeremiah 15:4And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.Jeremiah 32:24Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.Deuteronomy 28:64And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.James 2:13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.Daniel 6:24And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.Esther 7:10So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
Historical Context
This reversal of blessing into curse fulfills Deuteronomy's covenant warnings (Deut 28). Covenant breaking brings covenant curses.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sometimes give us what we think we want as judgment?
- What does this teach about the seriousness of covenant obligations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This is measure-for-measure justice. Judah refused to proclaim liberty to slaves (violating covenant law), so God proclaims liberty to sword, pestilence, and famine to devour them. The Hebrew word 'deror' (liberty/freedom) is used ironically - they'll have 'freedom' to be destroyed. God's judgment often gives people what they desired but with devastating consequences.