Jeremiah 34:3

KJV

And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt not escape out {H4422} of his hand {H3027}, but shalt surely {H8610} be taken {H8610}, and delivered {H5414} into his hand {H3027}; and thine eyes {H5869} shall behold {H7200} the eyes {H5869} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and he shall speak {H1696} with thee mouth {H6310} to mouth {H6310}, and thou shalt go {H935} to Babylon {H894}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You will not escape but will surely be captured and handed over to him; your eyes will see the eyes of the king of Bavel, he will speak with you face to face, and you will go to Bavel.'

Berean Standard Bible

And you yourself will not escape his grasp, but will surely be captured and delivered into his hand. You will see the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak with him face to face; and you will go to Babylon.

American Standard Version

and thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 34:3 delivers a stark and inescapable prophecy directly from the Lord to King Zedekiah of Judah, through the prophet Jeremiah. It foretells Zedekiah's certain capture by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, emphasizing that he will not escape, but will be personally confronted by the Babylonian king and subsequently led into exile in Babylon. This verse underscores the divine certainty of Judah's judgment and the personal humiliation awaiting its rebellious monarch.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a specific prophecy in [Jeremiah 34](/jeremiah/34 "Jeremiah 34 - Prophecy Against Zedekiah and Jerusalem"), delivered during the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's forces. The preceding verse, [Jeremiah 34:2](/jeremiah/34-2 "Jeremiah 34:2 - God's Judgment on Jerusalem"), explicitly states that Jerusalem will be burned and Zedekiah will not escape. Jeremiah 34:3 then personalizes this judgment, detailing Zedekiah's specific fate. The broader context of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Hope") is a series of warnings and prophecies concerning Judah's impending destruction due to its persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, culminating in the Babylonian exile. This particular oracle serves as a direct divine counter to Zedekiah's false hopes of evasion or military success.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy (around 588-586 BC), Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonian army, led by King Nebuchadnezzar. King Zedekiah had been installed as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar after the first deportation of Judah's elite in 597 BC (as recorded in [2 Kings 24:10-17](/2_kings/24-10 "2 Kings 24:10-17 - Jehoiachin's Captivity and Zedekiah's Reign")). Despite oaths of loyalty to Babylon, Zedekiah rebelled, trusting in a futile alliance with Egypt, which was a common but ultimately unreliable strategy for smaller nations caught between major powers. The cultural norm for defeated kings was often public humiliation, execution, or exile, serving as a stark warning to other rebellious territories. The act of "mouth to mouth" encounter between a conquering emperor and a defeated king was a profound symbol of absolute subjugation, stripping the defeated monarch of any remaining dignity or power.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 34:3 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and the Old Testament. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Inevitable Judgment**, demonstrating that God's word, spoken through His prophet, will be perfectly fulfilled regardless of human resistance. Zedekiah's fate is not merely a consequence of military defeat but a direct act of God's judgment against Judah's rebellion and unfaithfulness, particularly against the covenant warnings found in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The verse also emphasizes the **Consequences of Disobedience**, showing that Zedekiah's refusal to heed Jeremiah's consistent warnings (e.g., [Jeremiah 27:12-15](/jeremiah/27-12 "Jeremiah 27:12-15 - Jeremiah's Yoke on Zedekiah")) leads directly to his personal downfall and humiliation. Finally, it underscores the **Personal Nature of Judgment and Exile**, as the king, the very symbol of Judah's independence, is subjected to a direct, humiliating encounter and forced exile, foreshadowing the fate of the nation itself.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **escape (Hebrew, _mâlaṭ'_):** This primitive root (H4422) properly means "to be smooth," implying "to escape (as if by slipperiness)." Causatively, it means "to release or rescue." In this context, the negative "shalt not escape" emphasizes the absolute certainty of Zedekiah's capture, negating any possibility of slipping away from Babylon's grasp or being rescued by any external force. It highlights the divine decree that makes his evasion impossible.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This primitive word (H3027) refers to the open hand, indicating power, means, or direction. Appearing twice ("out of his hand" and "into his hand"), it powerfully symbolizes the complete transfer of control and authority from Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar. It signifies the inescapable grip of the conquering king, representing the overwhelming military and political power wielded by Babylon, which is ultimately orchestrated by God.
* **mouth (Hebrew, _peh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to blow," this word (H6310) refers to the mouth, particularly as the means of speech. The repetition "mouth to mouth" signifies a direct, personal, and unmediated confrontation. It emphasizes the profound humiliation of Zedekiah, who, as a sovereign king, would normally interact through intermediaries. This direct encounter underscores his complete subjugation and the stripping away of his royal dignity, as he is forced to face his conqueror without pretense or protection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt not escape out of his hand":** This opening clause delivers a definitive and absolute pronouncement of Zedekiah's fate. The "hand" of Nebuchadnezzar represents his power and control, from which Zedekiah will have no means of evasion or rescue. This directly contradicts any hopes or plans Zedekiah might have had for escape during the siege.
* **"but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand":** This phrase reinforces the certainty of the capture and emphasizes the divine agency behind it. The repetition of "into his hand" further highlights the inescapable grip of the Babylonian king. Zedekiah will not merely be caught; he will be "delivered," implying a divine handing over, a surrender to the inevitable judgment.
* **"and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon":** This vivid imagery portrays a deeply personal and humiliating confrontation. Zedekiah, the king of Judah, will be forced to look directly into the eyes of his conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar. This direct gaze symbolizes the complete reversal of power and the utter subjugation of Judah's monarchy. It's a moment of profound personal defeat and loss of dignity.
* **"and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth":** This phrase further intensifies the personal nature of the confrontation. It signifies a direct, unmediated conversation, not through messengers or intermediaries. This direct communication, likely a pronouncement of judgment or terms of surrender, would have been a deeply shaming experience for a defeated king, underscoring his absolute powerlessness before the conquering emperor.
* **"and thou shalt go to Babylon":** The final clause states the ultimate outcome: exile. Zedekiah will not die in Jerusalem or remain in Judah, but will be forcibly taken to Babylon, the very heart of the empire that has crushed his kingdom. This signifies the end of his reign, the loss of his freedom, and the fulfillment of the long-prophesied judgment of exile for Judah's persistent sin.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 34:3 is rich in literary devices that amplify its prophetic power. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as the prophecy is spoken directly to "thou" (Zedekiah), making the judgment intensely personal and inescapable. **Repetition** is strategically employed with phrases like "his hand" (referring to Nebuchadnezzar's power) and "mouth to mouth" (emphasizing direct confrontation), which serve to underscore the certainty and intimacy of Zedekiah's capture and humiliation. The use of **Metonymy** is evident in "hand," representing not just a physical limb but the comprehensive power and control of the Babylonian king. The vivid imagery of "thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon" creates a powerful **Visual Symbolism**, conveying the profound personal humiliation and the complete subjugation of one monarch to another. Finally, the entire verse functions as a powerful **Foreshadowing** of the events detailed later in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and [Jeremiah 39](/jeremiah/39 "Jeremiah 39 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Zedekiah's Capture"), where Zedekiah's escape attempt fails, and he is indeed brought before Nebuchadnezzar and exiled.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 34:3 is a profound testament to God's unwavering sovereignty and the certainty of His prophetic word. It illustrates that even kings, who might perceive themselves as autonomous, are ultimately subject to the divine will and the consequences of their choices. The prophecy underscores that God uses earthly powers, even pagan empires like Babylon, as instruments of His righteous judgment against the sin and rebellion of His own people. Zedekiah's personal humiliation and exile serve as a microcosm of Judah's national fate, demonstrating that persistent disobedience to God's covenant results in severe, inescapable consequences. This divine judgment, though harsh, is ultimately a demonstration of God's justice and His commitment to His covenant, even if it means purging His people through exile to bring them to repentance and restoration.

* [2 Kings 25:6-7](/2_kings/25-6 "2 Kings 25:6-7 - Zedekiah's Capture and Blinding")
* [Jeremiah 39:5-7](/jeremiah/39-5 "Jeremiah 39:5-7 - Zedekiah Brought Before Nebuchadnezzar")
* [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Prophecy of Foreign Invaders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 34:3 serves as a sobering reminder that defiance against God's revealed will inevitably leads to severe consequences. For King Zedekiah, it was inescapable capture and exile; for us, it is a call to humility and obedience. This verse challenges us to consider whether we are truly listening to God's warnings and aligning our lives with His purposes, or if we are, like Zedekiah, clinging to false hopes and human strategies that contradict divine wisdom. It reinforces the truth that God's word is utterly reliable and will always be fulfilled, providing a firm foundation for our faith even amidst difficult circumstances. Furthermore, Zedekiah's personal humiliation reminds us that true dignity comes not from earthly power or position, but from a right relationship with God, characterized by submission and trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's clear warnings or guidance, similar to Zedekiah?**
* **How does the certainty of God's fulfilled prophecy in this verse strengthen my trust in His word today?**
* **What does Zedekiah's "mouth to mouth" encounter with Nebuchadnezzar teach me about the consequences of pride and the importance of humility before God?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper spirit of obedience and surrender to God's will, even when it seems difficult or counter-intuitive?**

### FAQ

**What was King Zedekiah's primary sin that led to this prophecy?**

Answer: King Zedekiah's primary sin was his rebellion against King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, despite having sworn an oath of allegiance to him in the name of God ([2 Chronicles 36:13](/2_chronicles/36-13 "2 Chronicles 36:13 - Zedekiah's Rebellion")). This rebellion was compounded by his persistent refusal to listen to the prophet Jeremiah, who consistently urged him to surrender to Babylon as God's will ([Jeremiah 27:12-15](/jeremiah/27-12 "Jeremiah 27:12-15 - Jeremiah's Warning to Zedekiah")). His defiance was a direct act of disobedience to God's explicit command and a rejection of divine counsel.

**What is the significance of the phrase "mouth to mouth" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "mouth to mouth" (Hebrew: *peh el peh*) signifies a direct, personal, and unmediated confrontation or conversation. In the context of Jeremiah 34:3, it emphasizes the profound humiliation and complete subjugation of King Zedekiah. Instead of communicating through intermediaries or envoys, as was customary for kings, Zedekiah would be forced to stand directly before Nebuchadnezzar, the conquering emperor. This direct encounter stripped him of all royal dignity and underscored his absolute powerlessness, highlighting the personal nature of God's judgment against him.

**How was this prophecy in Jeremiah 34:3 ultimately fulfilled?**

Answer: This prophecy was chillingly fulfilled shortly after it was given. As recorded in [2 Kings 25:4-7](/2_kings/25-4 "2 Kings 25:4-7 - Zedekiah's Escape and Capture") and [Jeremiah 39:4-7](/jeremiah/39-4 "Jeremiah 39:4-7 - Zedekiah's Capture and Blinding"), Zedekiah attempted to escape Jerusalem during the final breach of the city walls. However, he was captured in the plains of Jericho by the Chaldean army. He was then brought to Riblah, where he stood before King Nebuchadnezzar, fulfilling the "mouth to mouth" encounter. There, Nebuchadnezzar executed Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, and then blinded Zedekiah, after which he was bound in bronze chains and taken to Babylon, thus fulfilling every detail of Jeremiah's prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 34:3 details the judgment and humiliation of a rebellious earthly king, it ultimately points to the profound reversal of this pattern in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King. Zedekiah's inescapable capture and exile underscore the consequence of rebellion against divine authority, a rebellion inherent in all humanity. Yet, in Christ, we see a King who willingly submitted to capture, humiliation, and exile (separation from God) not for His own sin, but for ours. Just as Zedekiah was "delivered into his hand," Jesus was "delivered over by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - The Crucifixion of Jesus")) into the hands of sinful men. The "mouth to mouth" confrontation Zedekiah faced, a moment of utter defeat, finds its antithesis in Christ's direct and authoritative pronouncements, even before His accusers, as He spoke truth to power ([John 18:33-37](/john/18-33 "John 18:33-37 - Jesus Before Pilate")). Ultimately, Zedekiah went to Babylon in chains, a symbol of defeat; Christ, however, went to the cross, a symbol of ultimate defeat, but through it, He triumphed over sin and death, leading "captivity captive" ([Ephesians 4:8](/ephesians/4-8 "Ephesians 4:8 - Christ's Ascension and Gifts")). His "exile" to the grave was temporary, culminating in His glorious resurrection and ascension, where He now reigns eternally, inviting all who believe to escape the hand of judgment and enter His kingdom, not through coercion, but through grace and faith ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption Through 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 32:4

And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;

Jeremiah 21:7

And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

2 Kings 25:4

And the city was broken up, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which [is] by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees [were] against the city round about:) and [the king] went the way toward the plain.

2 Kings 25:7

And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.

Jeremiah 34:21

And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from you.

Jeremiah 39:4

And it came to pass, [that] when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.

Jeremiah 39:7

Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.