Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 34:13-14
Jeremiah 34:13-14. I made a covenant with your fathers, saying, At the end of seven years This is the literal translation of מקצ שׁבע שׁנים ; but the import of the phrase is, in the course of the seventh year; or, within the term of seven years, as Dr. Waterland renders it. “The seventh year was the year of release, (Deuteronomy 15:9,) consequently servants were to continue in service but six years, and at the beginning of the seventh were to be let go free; ibid, Jeremiah 34:12. And... read more
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