Jeremiah 34:8-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 34:8-22

We have here another prophecy upon a particular occasion, the history of which we must take notice of, as necessary to give light to the prophecy. I. When Jerusalem was closely besieged by the Chaldean army the princes and people agreed upon a reformation in one instance, and that was concerning their servants. 1. The law of God was very express, that those of their own nation should not be held in servitude above seven years, but, after they had served one apprenticeship, they should be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:8

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord ,.... Here begins a new prophecy, which was delivered some time after the former; that was given out while the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem; this after he had quitted the siege for a while, and was gone to meet the king of Egypt, who was coming to the relief of the city, as appears from Jeremiah 34:21 ; though the Jews F11 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 26. p. 74. say this was delivered in the seventh year of Zedekiah, in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:9

That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew, or an Hebrewess, go free ,.... This is the proclamation that was agreed to be made, that every manservant and maidservant, that serve six years an apprenticeship, should be freed from their servitude, according to the law in Exodus 21:1 ; a law founded upon justice and equity, mercy and compassion; done for the honour of the Jewish nation, that they might be a free people, and in commemoration of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:10

Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant ,.... The king had made with the people. Here the princes are mentioned, who were not before, but included in the people; they and the rest of the people are here meant, who having agreed to the covenant, heard that everyone should let his manservant, and everyone his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more ; or any longer, which they had done, contrary to law: when they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:11

But afterwards they turned ,.... From the law of God, and their own agreement, and returned to their former usage of their servants; they changed their minds and measures. This seems to be done, when the king of Babylon, hearing the king of Egypt was coming to break up the siege of Jerusalem, quitted it, and went forth to meet him, as appears from Jeremiah 34:21 ; the Jews now finding themselves at liberty, and out of danger as they imagined, wickedly rebelled against the law of God;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:12

Therefore the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah from the Lord ,.... The word of Jehovah the Son, from Jehovah the Father, because of this transgression of the princes and people, and as soon as it was committed by them; for it is plain, from Jeremiah 34:21 , that it was before the Chaldean army returned to Jerusalem, after its departure from it: saying ; as follows: read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:13

Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel ,.... The covenant God of Israel, their Creator, Redeemer, and Benefactor: I made a covenant with your fathers ; gave them a system of laws, among which was that of release of servants: in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt ; that is, at that time, quickly after, when they were come to Mount Sinai; this shows what fathers are meant, the Jewish ancestors that came out of Egypt, brought from thence by the mighty hand of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:14

At the end of seven years ,.... Not when seven years were elapsed and fully completed; but within the compass of seven years, or as soon as the seventh year was began; for this term of seven years is the term of the seventh year coming in, and not going out, as appears from the law itself, Exodus 21:9 ; and from an after clause in this verse, "when he hath served thee six years"; at the end of which, and the beginning of the seventh: and so Maimonides F13 Hilchot Abadim, c. 2. sect. 2.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:15

And ye were now turned ,.... Or, "today indeed ye were turned" F18 ותשבו א־תאם היום "jam, vel et quidem conversi fuistis hodie", Schmidt; "reversi quidem vos hodie", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. some little time ago, indeed, it must be owned, that ye turned from the evil ways of your fathers, for which you were to be commended, as having acted a better part than they: and had done right in my sight ; what was acceptable to the Lord, approved of by him, being agreeably... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 34:16

But ye turned and polluted my name ,.... Changed their minds, and turned from their resolutions they had entered into, and the good ways they were walking in, and returned to their former evil practices; and so polluted the name of God by taking it in vain, and breaking the covenant they had agreed to: and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom he had set at liberty at pleasure : or, "according to their soul" F19 לנפשם "in animam suam", Pagninus, Montanus;... read more

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