E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 34:2
the LORD, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 11:3 . read more
the LORD, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 11:3 . read more
The announcement of Zedekiah’s fate 34:1-7"The Book of Consolation has ended, and Jeremiah 34:1 confronts its readers with the full force of the invading imperial army. The destruction of Jerusalem and the remainder of Judah seems inevitable (Jeremiah 34:3) because the LORD has made Nebuchadrezzar ruler over all the nations and because burning with fire is a fitting consequence for their deeds. . . ."This unit serves to direct the readers’ attention to the issue of obedience to the LORD’s word... read more
The prophet was to go to King Zedekiah and tell him that Israel’s God was going to deliver Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar, who would burn it (cf. Jeremiah 21:4-7; 2 Kings 25:6-9). His rebellion against Babylon’s authority would not succeed. read more
Jeremiah’s Eighteenth Prophecy (Reign of Zedekiah). The Fate of Zedekiah. The Treatment of Hebrew SlavesEarly in the campaign of Nebuchadnezzar, whose scheme of conquest included all the region as far as Egypt inclusive, the policy urged by Jeremiah was that Zedekiah should make the best terms he could. In this chapter we seem to have a sort of abbreviated memorandum of the conditional promise, which in that case the prophet was commissioned to announce to Zedekiah, viz. peace followed by... read more
(2, 3) Go and speak to Zedekiah . . .—See Notes on Jeremiah 32:3-4. read more
CHAPTER XIA BROKEN COVENANTJeremiah 21:1-10, Jeremiah 34:1-22, Jeremiah 37:1-10"All the princes and peoplechanged their minds and reduced to bondage again all the slaves whom they had set free." Jeremiah 34:10-11IN our previous chapter we saw that, at the point where the fragmentary record of the abortive conspiracy in the fourth year of Zedekiah came to an abrupt conclusion, Jeremiah seemed to have regained the ascendency he enjoyed under Josiah. The Jewish government had relinquished their... read more
CHAPTER 34:1-7 Jeremiah Warns Zedekiah The besieging army was before the walls of Jerusalem when the prophet is commanded to go to the king and tell him that the city will soon be burned. He announced also Zedekiah’s fate. He could not escape, but would be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon. He would see Nebuchadnezzar eye to eye, speak with him mouth to mouth, and then be taken to Babylon. Ezekiel said he should not see Babylon Ezekiel 12:13 . Both statements are true. He saw the... read more
MORE MESSAGES FOR ZEDEKIAH In some respects the most important chapter here is the first, which deals with Babylon’s supremacy, and reveals the beginning of “the times of the Gentiles,” or “the fulness of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:25 ). The term refers to the period when Israel, because of her disobedience to God, has forfeited her place of power in the earth and is scattered among the nations. It begins when God transfers this power to the Gentiles as represented by Babylon, and continues... read more
We cannot sufficiently admire the faithfulness of the Prophet, in following up the will of the Lord. Times were dangerous, but Jeremiah considered, that there was but the more reason to be conscientious. Though a prison was before him, and into it he knew he should be sent, yet whether men would hear, or whether they would forbear, he dared be honest. Ezekiel 2:5-6 . read more
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:1-22
Treacherous slave-owners (34:1-22)Again Jeremiah tells King Zedekiah that Jerusalem will fall to the Babylonians. Zedekiah himself will be taken to Babylon but will not be executed. When he eventually dies he will be given a fitting royal funeral (34:1-7).Earlier, when the Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem, Zedekiah issued a command that slave-owners were to release all their Hebrew slaves. He no doubt hoped that his action would win God’s favour, and he probably thought it had succeeded when... read more