Jeremiah 34:20

KJV

I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will even give {H5414} them into the hand {H3027} of their enemies {H341}, and into the hand {H3027} of them that seek {H1245} their life {H5315}: and their dead bodies {H5038} shall be for meat {H3978} unto the fowls {H5775} of the heaven {H8064}, and to the beasts {H929} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will hand them over to their enemies, hand them over to those who seek their lives; and their corpses will become food for birds in the air and wild animals.

Berean Standard Bible

I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.

American Standard Version

I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life; and their dead bodies shall be for food unto the birds of the heavens, and to the beasts of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 34:20 delivers a severe prophetic judgment against King Zedekiah and the people of Judah for their egregious breach of a solemn covenant made before God. This verse pronounces a gruesome fate: they will be delivered into the hands of their enemies, and their unburied corpses will become food for scavenging birds and wild animals, signifying ultimate dishonor, divine curse, and the complete failure of their human defenses. It underscores the profound seriousness with which God views broken promises, especially those made in His name, and the inevitable, devastating consequences of disobedience and injustice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a potent declaration within a larger oracle of judgment in [Jeremiah chapter 34](/jeremiah/34 "Jeremiah 34 - Covenant Broken, Judgment Declared"). The immediate preceding verses detail the specific transgression: King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem had entered into a covenant to release their Hebrew slaves, in accordance with the Mosaic Law concerning the Sabbatical year of release ([Deuteronomy 15:12](/deuteronomy/15-12 "Deuteronomy 15:12 - The Law of Releasing Slaves")). This act of liberation was likely a desperate attempt to gain divine favor during the Babylonian siege. However, after the Babylonian army temporarily withdrew from Jerusalem, they shamelessly reneged on their promise, re-enslaving those they had freed ([Jeremiah 34:8-11](/jeremiah/34-8-11 "Jeremiah 34:8-11 - The Broken Covenant to Release Slaves")). God, through Jeremiah, condemns this profound act of treachery and disrespect for His name, declaring that He will "proclaim liberty" to the sword, pestilence, and famine against them ([Jeremiah 34:17](/jeremiah/34-17 "Jeremiah 34:17 - God Proclaims Liberty to Judgment")). Verse 20 specifies the horrifying culmination of this divine judgment, emphasizing the complete lack of dignity in their demise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy occurs during the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces, a period of immense national crisis (circa 588-586 BCE). The covenant to free slaves was likely an act of desperation, a last-ditch effort to appease God and perhaps gain divine favor during the siege. In ancient Near Eastern societies, covenants were binding agreements, often sealed with solemn rituals and divine oaths, making their breach a grave offense against both human and divine order. Furthermore, proper burial was of paramount importance in ancient Israelite and surrounding cultures. To be denied burial and for one's body to be left exposed to scavengers was the ultimate disgrace, a sign of utter defeat, abandonment, and a profound divine curse. It meant the deceased would not join their ancestors in the grave and would suffer perpetual dishonor, a fate worse than death itself in their cultural understanding. This imagery was a common prophetic warning for severe judgment, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 7:33](/jeremiah/7-33 "Jeremiah 7:33 - Bodies Left Unburied in Topheth") and [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - Curse of Unburied Bodies").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **consequences of covenant breaking**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to justice and His severe judgment against those who violate sacred oaths, especially those made in His name. The broken covenant to free slaves, as detailed in [Jeremiah 34:8-11](/jeremiah/34-8-11 "Jeremiah 34:8-11 - The Broken Covenant to Release Slaves"), is a direct affront to God's character and law. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine retribution** and God's active role in bringing about judgment when His people persistently rebel and commit injustice. God is not a passive observer but actively "gives them into the hand" of their enemies. Thirdly, the gruesome imagery emphasizes the theme of **dishonor in death**, a stark contrast to the cultural value placed on proper burial. This serves as a powerful warning that continued disobedience leads to complete degradation and the loss of all dignity, even beyond life, echoing curses found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Finally, it reinforces the **sovereignty of God** over nations and events, even over the actions of foreign armies, as He orchestrates judgment to fulfill His righteous purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **give (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** A primitive root, this verb carries a vast latitude of application, meaning "to give, put, make, appoint, assign, or deliver (up)." In [Jeremiah 34:20](/jeremiah/34-20 "Jeremiah 34:20 - The Consequences of a Broken Covenant"), it signifies God's active, intentional, and decisive act of delivering the people into the hands of their enemies. It is not a passive consequence but a deliberate divine decree, emphasizing God's direct agency and sovereign control over their judgment.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This term, literally referring to "the open hand," is used broadly to denote power, means, direction, or control. Here, the phrase "into the hand of their enemies" signifies being placed completely under the enemies' dominion, authority, and control, subject entirely to their will and power. It conveys a state of utter helplessness, subjugation, and the complete loss of self-determination or divine protection.
* **dead bodies (Hebrew, _nᵉbêlâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be flabby," this term refers to a carcass or carrion, whether human or animal, often used collectively. Its application here to human bodies powerfully emphasizes their reduction to mere decaying flesh, devoid of life, honor, or dignity. The term starkly highlights the horrific fate of being unburied and consumed by scavengers, a profound desecration and a severe curse in the ancient world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will even give them into the hand of their enemies,"**: This initial clause declares God's direct and active role in the impending judgment. The pronoun "them" refers to King Zedekiah and the people of Judah who broke the covenant. "Into the hand of their enemies" signifies their complete subjugation and vulnerability to those who seek their destruction, emphasizing the loss of divine protection and the transfer of their fate into hostile control.
* **"and into the hand of them that seek their life:"**: This clause reiterates and intensifies the previous phrase, serving as a parallel expression. "Them that seek their life" specifically identifies the enemies as those intent on their utter annihilation and death, not merely defeat or subjugation. The repetition of "into the hand" underscores the totality of their surrender and the absolute, lethal power their adversaries will wield over them.
* **"and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven,"**: This clause describes the gruesome and supremely dishonorable fate awaiting those who are slain. Their corpses will not receive proper burial but will become "meat" (food) for "fowls of the heaven" (scavenging birds). This imagery powerfully conveys the ultimate disgrace, the complete absence of human dignity, and a profound divine curse in ancient Near Eastern culture.
* **"and to the beasts of the earth."**: This final clause completes the horrific picture, adding wild animals to the scavengers already mentioned. The inclusion of both "fowls of the heaven" and "beasts of the earth" emphasizes the totality and pervasiveness of the desecration, indicating that the judgment will leave no part of the land untouched by the consequence of their profound sin and covenant breach.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 34:20 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message of severe judgment and its horrifying consequences. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, where the vivid description of bodies becoming "meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth" is an extreme, visceral depiction of a horrific outcome, designed to evoke maximum dread and underscore the severity of the divine curse. This imagery also functions as potent **Symbolism**, where the unburied bodies represent utter defeat, profound dishonor, and divine abandonment. The denial of proper burial, a fundamental human right and cultural expectation, symbolizes the complete rejection by God and the loss of all dignity in life and death. Furthermore, the phrase "into the hand of their enemies" is an **Idiom** signifying complete subjugation and loss of control. The repetition of "into the hand" serves as both **Anaphora** and **Emphasis**, reinforcing the idea of total surrender and the inescapable nature of their fate. The stark, visceral imagery creates a powerful **Pathos**, appealing directly to the audience's fear and sense of dread, making the consequences of covenant-breaking undeniably clear and terrifying.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 34:20 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His righteous indignation against those who treat His commands and sacred oaths with contempt. The judgment pronounced is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of Judah's deliberate and repeated defiance, particularly their flagrant violation of the covenant to free their slaves, which was a direct affront to the Mosaic Law and the very character of God as a liberator. This verse underscores that God holds His people accountable for their actions, and persistent rebellion, especially against justice and compassion, will inevitably lead to severe divine retribution. The gruesome imagery of unburied bodies serves as a theological statement on the ultimate dishonor and curse that accompanies profound disobedience, highlighting that God's judgment can strip away even the most basic human dignities. It reaffirms God's sovereignty over history and the destiny of nations, demonstrating that He uses even foreign powers as instruments of His justice.

* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - The Curse of Unburied Bodies")
* [Psalm 79:1-3](/psalms/79-1-3 "Psalm 79:1-3 - A Lament for Jerusalem's Desecration")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 34:20, while depicting a specific historical judgment, carries timeless principles for reflection and application in contemporary life. It serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of promises, especially those made before God or in His name. Our integrity, our "yes" meaning "yes" and our "no" meaning "no," is not merely a social nicety but a reflection of our character and our reverence for truth. When we break solemn commitments, whether to God, to others, or even to ourselves, we sow seeds of distrust and invite consequences that can be far-reaching and destructive. This passage also compels us to confront the seriousness of injustice and oppression. God's wrath was kindled not just by a broken promise, but by the re-enslavement of those who had been freed, a profound act of cruelty and disregard for human dignity. It calls us to examine our own lives: where do we compromise on justice? Where do we exploit others for our own gain? The consequences of sin, particularly systemic injustice, are real and can lead to spiritual decay and societal breakdown. Ultimately, this verse urges us to live in faithful obedience, recognizing that true liberty and blessing come from aligning our lives with God's righteous standards, rather than seeking fleeting advantages through deceit and oppression.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What promises, whether explicit or implicit, have I made before God or to others that I may have neglected or broken?**
* **How does my commitment to integrity in my words and actions reflect my reverence for God and His character?**
* **In what ways might I be contributing to or benefiting from injustice in my community or the world, and what steps can I take to promote freedom and dignity for all?**
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in this passage deepen my understanding of His holiness and His hatred of sin, and what does it teach me about His justice?**

### FAQ
**Why was the denial of burial such a severe punishment in ancient times?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, a proper burial was considered a fundamental right and a crucial act of respect for the deceased and their family. It was believed to allow the dead to rest with their ancestors and was a sign of peace and honor. To be denied burial and for one's body to be left exposed to scavengers (fowls of the heaven and beasts of the earth) was the ultimate disgrace and a profound curse. It signified utter defeat, abandonment by both humans and God, and a complete lack of dignity even in death. This fate was often prophesied for those who had deeply offended God or committed heinous crimes, as seen in [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - The Curse of Unburied Bodies") and [1 Kings 14:11](/1_kings/14-11 "1 Kings 14:11 - Prophecy Against Jeroboam's House"). It was a powerful deterrent and a terrifying consequence that would have resonated deeply with the original audience of [Jeremiah 34:20](/jeremiah/34-20 "Jeremiah 34:20 - The Consequences of a Broken Covenant").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Jeremiah 34:20](/jeremiah/34-20 "Jeremiah 34:20 - The Consequences of a Broken Covenant") speaks of the dire consequences for covenant-breaking and disobedience under the Old Covenant, it ultimately points to the profound fulfillment of God's covenant faithfulness in Jesus Christ. The judgment described—being given into the hands of enemies and suffering a dishonorable death—foreshadows the ultimate judgment for sin, which humanity justly deserves. However, in Christ, we see God's solution to humanity's broken covenants and rebellion. Jesus, the perfect covenant-keeper, willingly allowed Himself to be "given into the hands" of His enemies ([Matthew 26:45](/matthew/26-45 "Matthew 26:45 - Jesus Delivered to Sinners"); [John 19:11](/john/19-11 "John 19:11 - Jesus Delivered to Pilate")) and suffered a publicly dishonorable death on the cross, becoming a curse for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Unlike the unburied bodies in Jeremiah, Christ's body was honorably laid in a tomb, signifying His victory over death and the curse, and His subsequent resurrection secured for believers a hope that transcends earthly dishonor and the judgment for sin. Through His sacrifice, Jesus establishes a new and better covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant")), offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who trust in Him, thereby fulfilling the ultimate promise of God's redemptive plan and securing true liberty from the bondage of sin and death ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - Freedom from the Law of Sin and Death")).

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 7:33

And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray [them] away.

Jeremiah 16:4

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Jeremiah 19:7

And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Revelation 19:17

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

Revelation 19:21

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

1 Kings 16:4

Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.

Jeremiah 11:21

Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand: