Jeremiah 34:1

¶ The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof, saying,

The word {H1697} which came unto Jeremiah {H3414} from the LORD {H3068}, when Nebuchadnezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and all his army {H2428}, and all the kingdoms {H4467} of the earth {H776} of his dominion {H3027}{H4475}, and all the people {H5971}, fought {H3898} against Jerusalem {H3389}, and against all the cities {H5892} thereof, saying {H559},

This word came to Yirmeyahu from ADONAI when N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel, his whole army, all his vassal kingdoms and all the peoples fought against Yerushalayim and all its cities:

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, all his army, all the earthly kingdoms under his control, and all the other nations were fighting against Jerusalem and all its surrounding cities.

The word which came unto Jeremiah from Jehovah, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth that were under his dominion, and all the peoples, were fighting against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof, saying:

Jeremiah 34:1 sets the historical stage for a significant prophecy delivered by the prophet Jeremiah. It immediately plunges the reader into a moment of extreme national crisis for the Kingdom of Judah: the final siege of Jerusalem by the powerful Babylonian Empire.

Context

This verse describes the precise historical moment when the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah. It was during the critical period when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, along with his vast army and forces from various conquered kingdoms, was actively engaged in besieging Jerusalem and all the remaining fortified cities of Judah. This siege, which would ultimately lead to the destruction of the city and the temple in 586 BC, was not merely a geopolitical event but, from a biblical perspective, a direct act of divine judgment against Judah for its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant. The phrase "all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion" emphasizes the overwhelming might of the Babylonian war machine and the comprehensive nature of the assault on Judah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The verse underscores God's control over human history, even using pagan kings like Nebuchadnezzar as instruments of His divine will and judgment. This was the culmination of many warnings given to Judah.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The siege and impending fall of Jerusalem were direct fulfillments of prophecies uttered by Jeremiah and earlier prophets like Isaiah and Micah, who foretold the consequences of Israel's covenant breaking.
  • The Prophet's Role Amidst Crisis: Jeremiah's ministry was characterized by delivering God's often unpopular and dire messages during a time of national decline and impending doom. This verse highlights his continued role as God's mouthpiece even in the face of overwhelming military might.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD" is crucial. In Hebrew, this is davar Yahweh (דבר יהוה), emphasizing that the message is not Jeremiah's own opinion or political analysis, but a direct, authoritative, and divinely inspired communication from God Himself. This phrase authenticates the prophetic message that follows, grounding it in divine revelation rather than human insight.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 34:1 serves as a stark reminder that God's warnings are serious and His word is always fulfilled. While the historical context is specific to ancient Judah, the underlying principles resonate today:

  • Consequences of Disobedience: Persistent turning away from God's commands can lead to severe consequences, both individually and nationally.
  • God's Control: Even in the midst of chaos and overwhelming circumstances, God remains sovereign, working out His purposes through various means.
  • The Importance of God's Word: Like Jeremiah, we are called to pay attention to God's word, especially during challenging times, recognizing its authority and truth. This siege was a direct fulfillment of warnings given to Israel regarding their disobedience to God's covenant. The events described here culminate in the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, a tragic but necessary consequence of Judah's rebellion.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Jeremiah 1:15

    For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.
  • 2 Kings 25:1

    ¶ And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.
  • 2 Kings 25:9

    And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great [man's] house burnt he with fire.
  • Daniel 2:37

    Thou, O king, [art] a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
  • Daniel 2:38

    And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou [art] this head of gold.
  • Jeremiah 32:2

    For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which [was] in the king of Judah's house.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:12

    And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God, [and] humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet [speaking] from the mouth of the LORD.

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