King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:
Complete Jewish Bible:
Nevertheless, Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah, hear the word of ADONAI. ADONAI says this about you: 'You will not be put to the sword
Berean Standard Bible:
Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword;
American Standard Version:
Yet hear the word of Jehovah, O Zedekiah king of Judah: thus saith Jehovah concerning thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Yet hear{H8085} the word{H1697} of the LORD{H3068}, O Zedekiah{H6667} king{H4428} of Judah{H3063}; Thus saith{H559} the LORD{H3068} of thee, Thou shalt not die{H4191} by the sword{H2719}:
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Jeremiah 34:4
Jeremiah 34:4 is a verse set within the broader historical context of the final days of the Kingdom of Judah, just before its fall to the Babylonian Empire. The verse is part of a prophecy delivered by the prophet Jeremiah to King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. In this verse, God, through Jeremiah, speaks directly to Zedekiah, assuring him that he will not die by the sword. This promise stands in stark contrast to the dire circumstances facing Jerusalem and the warnings of destruction that permeate Jeremiah's prophecies.
The theme of this verse is one of divine assurance amidst impending doom. It reflects God's sovereignty over the fate of nations and individuals, even in the face of judgment. Despite the coming Babylonian siege and the eventual fall of Jerusalem, which God had decreed because of the people's disobedience, there is a note of mercy and personal attention to the king. This personal assurance to Zedekiah may have been intended to convey God's mercy and justice, as well as to emphasize the prophetic word's authority and reliability.
Historically, Zedekiah's reign was marked by his rebellion against Babylon, which led to Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem. The verse's promise seems to be a conditional one, as later in Jeremiah 34, the conditions for Zedekiah's peaceful end are outlined—he must surrender to the king of Babylon. Ultimately, Zedekiah did not heed this command, and according to biblical accounts (Jeremiah 52:8-11), he was captured, witnessed the slaughter of his sons, and was taken to Babylon where he died in prison. Thus, while the verse holds out hope for a merciful end for Zedekiah, it also underscores the conditionality of God's promises based on human obedience.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H6667
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִדְקִיָּה
Transliteration: Tsidqîyâh
Pronunciation: tsid-kee-yaw'
Description: or צִדְקִיָּהוּ; from צֶדֶק and יָהּ; right of Jah; Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites; Zedekiah, Zidkijah. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H3063
There are 754 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהוּדָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhûwdâh
Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-daw'
Description: from יָדָה; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory; Judah. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. - Strong's Number: H2719
There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֶרֶב
Transliteration: chereb
Pronunciation: kheh'-reb
Description: from חָרַב; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement; axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.