Jeremiah 34:10

KJV

Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let [them] go.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now when all the princes {H8269}, and all the people {H5971}, which had entered {H935} into the covenant {H1285}, heard {H8085} that every one {H376} should let his manservant {H5650}, and every one {H376} his maidservant {H8198}, go {H7971} free {H2670}, that none should serve {H5647} themselves of them any more, then they obeyed {H8085}, and let them go {H7971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the leaders and all the people listened who had entered into the covenant, wherein everyone was to free his male and female slaves and not keep them in bondage any longer. They listened, and they let them go.

Berean Standard Bible

So all the officials and all the people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their menservants and maidservants and no longer hold them in bondage. They obeyed and released them,

American Standard Version

And all the princes and all the people obeyed, that had entered into the covenant, that every one should let his man-servant, and every one his maid-servant, go free, that none should make bondmen of them any more; they obeyed, and let them go:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 34:10 records a fleeting moment of obedience from the princes and people of Judah during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Having entered into a solemn covenant with King Zedekiah to release their Hebrew manservants and maidservants, they initially complied with the terms, setting free those who had been held in unlawful servitude. This verse captures a brief period where the nation, under duress, seemingly aligned itself with God's ancient laws concerning liberty and justice, though this compliance would prove to be tragically short-lived.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical prophetic message from Jeremiah concerning Judah's impending judgment and the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's forces. Immediately preceding this verse, [Jeremiah 34:8-9](/jeremiah/34-8 "Jeremiah 34:8-9 - Zedekiah's Covenant to Free Servants") details King Zedekiah's initiative to make a covenant with the people of Jerusalem, proclaiming liberty to their Hebrew servants. This act was a direct response to the dire circumstances of the siege, likely an attempt to appease God and avert disaster. Jeremiah 34:10 then describes the immediate, positive response to this covenant, where the people indeed released their servants. However, the very next verse, [Jeremiah 34:11](/jeremiah/34-11 "Jeremiah 34:11 - The People's Reversal of the Covenant"), reveals their swift and hypocritical reversal of this decision, demonstrating the superficiality of their obedience and setting the stage for God's severe condemnation in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 34 unfold during the final years of the Kingdom of Judah, specifically around 588-587 BC, when Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonian army. The covenant mentioned in this passage was an attempt to belatedly comply with long-neglected Mosaic laws regarding the release of Hebrew servants after six years of service ([Exodus 21:2](/exodus/21-2 "Exodus 21:2 - Law of Hebrew Servants") and [Deuteronomy 15:12](/deuteronomy/15-12 "Deuteronomy 15:12 - Law of Release")). This practice was designed to prevent perpetual servitude among Israelites, ensuring that no fellow Hebrew would be enslaved indefinitely. The desperate situation of the siege likely prompted this act, as the people and their leaders hoped that by fulfilling this neglected command, God would intervene and lift the siege. The cultural context highlights a society where economic pressures often led to the exploitation of the poor, and where adherence to divine law was often selective, particularly when it conflicted with personal gain.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 34:10 contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. The theme of **covenant faithfulness** is central, as the verse depicts an initial, albeit temporary, adherence to a solemn oath made before God. This highlights the expectation of obedience to divine commands, especially those related to justice and compassion. The theme of **liberty and social justice** is also prominent, as the covenant's core purpose was to free those unlawfully enslaved, reflecting God's heart for the oppressed and the vulnerable, a theme echoed throughout the Torah and the Prophets (e.g., [Isaiah 58:6](/isaiah/58-6 "Isaiah 58:6 - True Fasting and Justice")). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **hypocrisy and superficial repentance**, which becomes glaringly evident in the subsequent verses. While [Jeremiah 34:10](/jeremiah/34-10 "Jeremiah 34:10 - Initial Obedience to the Covenant") records obedience, it serves as a setup for the profound failure of the people to maintain their commitment, illustrating the conditional nature of their repentance and the ultimate futility of outward acts without inward transformation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From a root suggesting "cutting," this term refers to a compact or agreement, often made by passing between pieces of flesh, symbolizing the solemnity and binding nature of the oath. In this context, it signifies a formal, sacred agreement between King Zedekiah and the people, made before God, to release their Hebrew servants. The "cutting" imagery underscores the gravity of the oath and the severe consequences for breaking it.
* **go free (Hebrew, _chophshîy'_):** This word denotes being exempt from bondage, tax, or care; it means to be truly free or at liberty. Its use here emphasizes that the servants were not merely being transferred but were to be genuinely liberated from their state of servitude, aligning with the Mosaic law's intention for Hebrew servants. This was a proclamation of true, unburdened freedom.
* **obeyed (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently," often with the implication of attention, obedience, or consent. In this verse, it indicates that the princes and people not only heard the terms of the covenant but acted upon them. This initial "hearing and doing" stands in stark contrast to their later actions, highlighting the transient nature of their compliance rather than a deep-seated commitment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free":** This clause establishes the subjects of the action – the leadership ("princes") and the general populace ("people") – who had collectively agreed to the covenant. It specifies the core demand of the covenant: the unconditional release of both male and female Hebrew servants. The repetition of "every one" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the command, implying no exceptions.
* **"that none should serve themselves of them any more":** This phrase clarifies the intent and permanence of the release. It was not a temporary furlough or a change of masters, but a complete cessation of their forced labor and exploitation. The servants were to be truly free, no longer subject to the will or service of their former owners.
* **"then they obeyed, and let [them] go.":** This concluding clause describes the immediate, positive response to the covenant. The "obeyed" signifies their compliance with the terms they had just agreed to, and "let them go" confirms the physical act of releasing the servants. This moment represents a brief window of national adherence to divine law, driven by the immediate threat of judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Narrative Progression** to advance the story of Judah's final days, specifically focusing on a pivotal, albeit temporary, act of obedience. It uses **Direct Statement** to clearly articulate the actions of the princes and people, leaving no ambiguity about their initial compliance. The repetition of "every one" functions as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the universal application of the covenant's demand for freedom across all households. The contrast between the initial obedience described here and the subsequent reversal in [Jeremiah 34:11](/jeremiah/34-11 "Jeremiah 34:11 - The People's Reversal of the Covenant") creates a powerful sense of **Irony** and serves as a **Foreshadowing** of the nation's ultimate failure to genuinely repent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 34:10 powerfully illustrates the Old Testament emphasis on covenant fidelity and social justice. The Mosaic Law consistently mandated the release of Hebrew servants, reflecting God's heart for liberty and His opposition to perpetual servitude among His people. The act of entering into a covenant and then initially obeying it underscores the solemnity of promises made before God and the expectation that such commitments would be honored. However, the fleeting nature of this obedience, as revealed in the subsequent verses, highlights a deeper theological truth: true repentance and obedience must stem from a transformed heart, not merely from a desire to escape immediate consequences. God desires genuine, sustained righteousness, not just outward conformity under duress.

* [Exodus 21:2](/exodus/21-2 "Exodus 21:2 - Law of Hebrew Servants")
* [Deuteronomy 15:12](/deuteronomy/15-12 "Deuteronomy 15:12 - Law of Release for Hebrew Servants")
* [Isaiah 58:6](/isaiah/58-6 "Isaiah 58:6 - True Fasting and Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 34:10 serves as a poignant reminder that outward acts of obedience, however commendable in themselves, are insufficient if they do not spring from a heart truly committed to God's will. The people's initial release of their servants was a good and righteous act, aligning with divine law, yet its temporary nature exposed a deeper spiritual malaise—a lack of genuine repentance and a propensity to revert to self-serving behavior once the immediate pressure subsided. For us today, this challenges us to examine the motives behind our obedience. Are we merely performing religious duties or ethical acts to gain favor, avoid consequences, or maintain a good appearance? Or is our obedience a consistent outflow of a transformed heart, deeply committed to God's justice, mercy, and faithfulness, even when it demands personal sacrifice or goes against the tide of convenience? This verse calls us to cultivate integrity in our commitments, especially those made before God, and to pursue a holistic righteousness that impacts all areas of our lives, particularly how we treat the vulnerable and uphold justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What motivates my acts of obedience to God's commands? Is it genuine devotion, or a desire to escape negative consequences?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to make commitments to God or others that I do not intend to keep long-term?**
* **How does my treatment of those in vulnerable positions reflect (or fail to reflect) God's heart for justice and liberty?**

### FAQ
**Why did the people initially obey the covenant, only to reverse their decision later?**

Answer: The initial obedience described in [Jeremiah 34:10](/jeremiah/34-10 "Jeremiah 34:10 - Initial Obedience to the Covenant") was likely driven by the immediate and severe pressure of the Babylonian siege on Jerusalem. Facing imminent destruction, King Zedekiah and the people probably hoped that by belatedly complying with a long-neglected Mosaic law concerning the release of Hebrew servants (see [Exodus 21:2](/exodus/21-2 "Exodus 21:2 - Law of Hebrew Servants") and [Deuteronomy 15:12](/deuteronomy/15-12 "Deuteronomy 15:12 - Law of Release")), God would intervene and deliver them. This was a pragmatic, crisis-driven response rather than a deep, heart-felt repentance. As soon as the Babylonians temporarily lifted the siege (perhaps to deal with an Egyptian army, as hinted in [Jeremiah 37:5](/jeremiah/37-5 "Jeremiah 37:5 - Pharaoh's Army Approaches")), the immediate pressure was relieved, and the people reverted to their old, self-serving ways, re-enslaving those they had just freed ([Jeremiah 34:11](/jeremiah/34-11 "Jeremiah 34:11 - The People's Reversal of the Covenant")). This demonstrated their profound hypocrisy and the superficiality of their "obedience."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 34:10, though depicting a failure of human covenant-keeping, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect covenant fulfilled in Christ. The temporary release of servants, an act of justice that quickly dissolved, highlights humanity's inability to consistently uphold God's righteous standards. This broken covenant points to the need for a new and better covenant, one not dependent on fickle human obedience but on divine faithfulness. Jesus Christ is the mediator of this [new covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant"), established by His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection. Where the people of Judah failed to grant lasting freedom, Christ offers true and eternal liberty from the bondage of sin and death ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free")). His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of "letting go free," releasing all who believe from spiritual servitude. The fleeting obedience in Jeremiah 34:10 contrasts sharply with Christ's unwavering obedience to the Father, even to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Furthermore, the call for justice and liberation for the oppressed in Jeremiah finds its ultimate embodiment in Christ's kingdom, where true justice will prevail and all who are in Him are made truly free ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 26:16

¶ Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man [is] not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 26:10

When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S [house].

Jeremiah 3:10

And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 3:11

And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

Jeremiah 36:24

Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, [neither] the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.

Jeremiah 36:25

Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.

Mark 6:20

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.