Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 34:8-22
It is usual with commentators to say that, the laws dealing with the emancipation of the Hebrew slaves, as also that of the land resting during the sabbatical year, were not observed. The narrative teaches us the exact contrary. The manumission of the slaves on the present occasion was the spontaneous act of Zedekiah and the people. They knew of the law, and acknowledged its obligation. The observance of it was, no doubt, lax: the majority let their own selfish interests prevail; but the... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 34:18
When they out the calf in twain, etc. This clause should be translated differently, and placed, for clearness, in a parenthesis ( the calf which they cut in twain, and between the parts of which they passed ) . The division of the calf might, in fact, be called in Hebrew either "the covenant" or "the token of the covenant" (comp. Genesis 17:10 , Genesis 17:11 ). It was a solemn assurance that he who should transgress God's Law should share the same fate as the victim. The same idea... read more