Jeremiah 34:18
And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,
Original Language Analysis
וְנָתַתִּ֣י
And I will give
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֣י
And I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
H376
הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 22
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)
וַיַּעַבְר֖וּ
and passed
H5674
וַיַּעַבְר֖וּ
and passed
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 22
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבְּרִ֔ית
my covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִ֔ית
my covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
6 of 22
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֵקִ֙ימוּ֙
which have not performed
H6965
הֵקִ֙ימוּ֙
which have not performed
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
9 of 22
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבְרֵ֣י
the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַבְּרִ֔ית
my covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִ֔ית
my covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
12 of 22
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כָּרְת֣וּ
me when they cut
H3772
כָּרְת֣וּ
me when they cut
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
14 of 22
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
לְפָנָ֑י
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֑י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָעֵ֙גֶל֙
the calf
H5695
הָעֵ֙גֶל֙
the calf
Strong's:
H5695
Word #:
16 of 22
a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כָּרְת֣וּ
me when they cut
H3772
כָּרְת֣וּ
me when they cut
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
18 of 22
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
וַיַּעַבְר֖וּ
and passed
H5674
וַיַּעַבְר֖וּ
and passed
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
20 of 22
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
Historical Context
This ceremony occurred during the brief Babylonian siege lifting (34:21-22), when Zedekiah and Jerusalem's leaders made a covenant to free Hebrew slaves, probably hoping God would deliver them from Babylon. They performed the ancient ritual publicly, likely in the temple precincts, invoking solemn oaths. When Babylon temporarily withdrew, they immediately re-enslaved those freed (34:11), treating God's covenant as a superstitious bargaining chip rather than binding obligation. This cynical manipulation sealed Jerusalem's doom.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God's 'lifting the siege' (temporary relief) tempts you to abandon vows made in crisis?
- In what ways might we treat covenant commitments (baptism, church membership, marriage) as negotiable rather than life-or-death serious?
- How should meditation on Christ bearing the covenant curse affect your faithfulness to covenant commitments?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof (כָּרַת הָעֵגֶל, karat ha-egel)—"cut the calf." This describes the ancient covenant ratification ceremony from Genesis 15:9-21, where God Himself passed between severed animal parts in fire and smoke. The ritual's meaning: "May I be torn apart like these animals if I break this covenant." When Jeremiah's contemporaries cut the calf and walked between the pieces (v. 19 specifies who participated), they invoked self-cursing oaths, calling down covenant judgment upon themselves if they violated their sworn commitment.
The Hebrew verb karat ("cut") is the standard term for making covenants, preserving this bloody ritual's memory in covenant language itself. Ancient Near Eastern treaties employed similar ceremonies—vassals would dismember animals while swearing loyalty, understanding the symbolism: covenant breaking brings death. Israel's leaders re-enacted this with full knowledge of the implications, making their subsequent covenant violation (re-enslaving freed servants) not mere disobedience but covenant treason deserving death.
This foreshadows Christ's covenant-making blood. Hebrews 9:15-22 explains: "without shedding of blood is no remission." Jesus became the covenant victim, torn apart that covenant breakers might be forgiven. The Old Testament's bloody covenant ceremonies point forward to Calvary, where God in Christ took the covenant curse upon Himself. Unlike Jeremiah's generation, who broke covenant and faced judgment, believers stand forgiven because Christ bore the covenant curse in our place.