Jeremiah 34:3

Authorized King James Version

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And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.

Original Language Analysis

וְאַתָּ֗ה H859
וְאַתָּ֗ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 1 of 21
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
לֹ֚א H3808
לֹ֚א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִמָּלֵט֙ And thou shalt not escape out H4422
תִמָּלֵט֙ And thou shalt not escape out
Strong's: H4422
Word #: 3 of 21
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
וּבְיָד֖וֹ into his hand H3027
וּבְיָד֖וֹ into his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 4 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כִּ֚י H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִּתָּפֵ֔שׂ be taken H8610
תִּתָּפֵ֔שׂ be taken
Strong's: H8610
Word #: 6 of 21
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
תִּתָּפֵ֔שׂ be taken H8610
תִּתָּפֵ֔שׂ be taken
Strong's: H8610
Word #: 7 of 21
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
וּבְיָד֖וֹ into his hand H3027
וּבְיָד֖וֹ into his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 8 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
תִּנָּתֵ֑ן and delivered H5414
תִּנָּתֵ֑ן and delivered
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 9 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עֵינֵ֨י and thine eyes H5869
עֵינֵ֨י and thine eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 10 of 21
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵינֵ֨י and thine eyes H5869
עֵינֵ֨י and thine eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 12 of 21
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מֶֽלֶךְ of the king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ of the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 13 of 21
a king
וּבָבֶ֥ל of Babylon H894
וּבָבֶ֥ל of Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 14 of 21
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
תִּרְאֶ֗ינָה shall behold H7200
תִּרְאֶ֗ינָה shall behold
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 15 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
פִּ֥יךָ to mouth H6310
פִּ֥יךָ to mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 16 of 21
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
אֶת H854
אֶת
Strong's: H854
Word #: 17 of 21
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
פִּ֥יךָ to mouth H6310
פִּ֥יךָ to mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 18 of 21
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְדַבֵּ֖ר and he shall speak H1696
יְדַבֵּ֖ר and he shall speak
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 19 of 21
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וּבָבֶ֥ל of Babylon H894
וּבָבֶ֥ל of Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 20 of 21
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
תָּבֽוֹא׃ and thou shalt go H935
תָּבֽוֹא׃ and thou shalt go
Strong's: H935
Word #: 21 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Analysis & Commentary

And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon. The phrase "shalt surely be taken" translates the Hebrew infinitive absolute construction (taphos yittaphes), expressing absolute certainty—no possibility of escape exists. God here addresses Zedekiah's secret hope that he might personally avoid capture even if Jerusalem fell. Divine omniscience penetrates human self-deception: Zedekiah's capture is decreed.

Thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon predicts humiliating face-to-face confrontation with Nebuchadnezzar. The Hebrew emphasizes personal encounter: "his eyes to your eyes, his mouth to your mouth." This prophecy found horrific fulfillment: Zedekiah's sons were slaughtered before his eyes, then his eyes were gouged out—making that traumatic sight his last vision before being led blind to Babylon (2 Kings 25:6-7; Jeremiah 39:6-7). The ironic fulfillment teaches that attempts to avoid God's word lead to consequences worse than submission would have brought.

The certainty of prophecy demonstrates God's exhaustive foreknowledge and sovereign control over historical events. Zedekiah's destiny was fixed not by impersonal fate but by divine decree responding to covenant rebellion. This passage illustrates that resisting God's revealed will intensifies rather than avoids judgment.

Historical Context

Zedekiah attempted escape when Jerusalem's walls were breached (Jeremiah 39:4; 52:7), proving this prophecy's accuracy about his capture attempt. He was seized near Jericho and brought to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah (Syria). The gruesome punishment—watching his sons' execution before being blinded—combined personal agony with political message: rebellion against Babylon brought total ruin. The phrase "speak with thee mouth to mouth" predicted the judgment pronouncement at Riblah (Jeremiah 39:5-7). Historical records confirm Babylonian kings personally oversaw important trials and executions. This fulfilled Ezekiel's seemingly contradictory prophecy that Zedekiah would go to Babylon but not see it (Ezekiel 12:13)—he arrived there blind.

Questions for Reflection

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