And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,
And I will give {H5414} the men {H582} that have transgressed {H5674} my covenant {H1285}, which have not performed {H6965} the words {H1697} of the covenant {H1285} which they had made {H3772} before {H6440} me, when they cut {H3772} the calf {H5695} in twain {H8147}, and passed {H5674} between the parts {H1335} thereof,
As for the men who violated my covenant by not living up to the conditions of the covenant which they made in my presence when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts -
And those who have transgressed My covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before Me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two in order to pass between its pieces.
And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, that have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before me, when they cut the calf in twain and passed between the parts thereof;
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Genesis 15:10
And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. -
Genesis 15:17
¶ And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. -
Genesis 15:18
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: -
Psalms 50:1
¶ A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, [even] the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. -
Deuteronomy 17:2
If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, -
Hosea 6:7
But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me. -
Hosea 8:1
¶ [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.
Jeremiah 34:18 KJV Commentary
Jeremiah 34:18 speaks to the severe consequences awaiting those in Judah who had broken a solemn covenant made before the Lord. This verse is part of a prophetic message delivered by Jeremiah during the critical period of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, highlighting God's judgment against the nation's hypocrisy and unfaithfulness.
Context
The historical context for Jeremiah 34:18 is crucial. As the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, King Zedekiah and the people of Judah made a desperate covenant. In an act of supposed repentance and seeking divine favor, they agreed to free their Hebrew slaves, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law (see Exodus 21:2 and Deuteronomy 15:12). This act, described in Jeremiah 34:8-10, was a public demonstration of obedience. However, when the Babylonian army temporarily withdrew (perhaps to confront an Egyptian force), the people immediately went back on their word, re-enslaving those they had just freed (Jeremiah 34:11). God's response, through Jeremiah, is one of righteous indignation, focusing on their egregious breach of covenant.
Key Themes
Linguistic and Cultural Insights
The phrase "when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof" refers to an ancient Near Eastern covenant-making ritual. This practice, also seen in Genesis 15:10 with Abraham, involved cutting an animal in half and arranging the pieces. The parties making the covenant would then walk between the divided halves. This act was a symbolic self-malediction: by passing between the parts, the covenant-makers invoked a curse upon themselves, implying, "May I be cut in two like this animal if I fail to keep my end of the agreement." For the people of Judah to violate a covenant sealed with such a solemn and visceral ritual demonstrated a profound disregard for its terms and for the God before whom it was made.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 34:18 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness, particularly in our commitments before God. While we no longer perform ancient animal sacrifice rituals, the principle remains: God takes our promises seriously. This applies to:
Ultimately, this passage calls us to examine the sincerity of our faith and the depth of our commitment to God's will. It emphasizes that true repentance and obedience are demonstrated not just by initial acts, but by enduring faithfulness.