Jeremiah 34:4

Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:

Yet hear {H8085} the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, O Zedekiah {H6667} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}; Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of thee, Thou shalt not die {H4191} by the sword {H2719}:

Nevertheless, Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah, hear the word of ADONAI. ADONAI says this about you: 'You will not be put to the sword

Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword;

Yet hear the word of Jehovah, O Zedekiah king of Judah: thus saith Jehovah concerning thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword;

Commentary

Jeremiah 34:4 delivers a direct, personal message from the Lord to King Zedekiah of Judah during the final, desperate days of Jerusalem's siege by the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar.

Context of Jeremiah 34:4

This verse is part of a larger prophecy concerning the imminent fall of Jerusalem and the fate of its last king, Zedekiah. Having sworn an oath of allegiance to Babylon and then rebelled, Zedekiah had consistently ignored the warnings delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, who urged submission to Babylon as God's judgment (Jeremiah 27:12). At this point, the city is surrounded, and its destruction is certain. Yet, amidst the pronouncements of doom, God extends a specific, limited promise to the king.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Communication: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" underscores that this is a direct, authoritative word from God Himself, not merely Jeremiah's opinion. It highlights God's active involvement in human history and leadership.
  • Mercy Amidst Judgment: Despite Zedekiah's persistent disobedience and the impending catastrophe for Judah, God offers a specific mercy regarding the king's death. The promise "Thou shalt not die by the sword" indicates that Zedekiah would not fall in battle, a common and often brutal end for defeated kings. This implies a more 'peaceful' demise, though still within the confines of captivity.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even as the kingdom crumbles, God demonstrates His ultimate control over the destiny of nations and individuals. He dictates the precise manner of Zedekiah's death, even as He brings judgment upon Judah.

Linguistic Nuances

The Hebrew phrase translated "Thou shalt not die by the sword" (ืœึนื ืชึธืžื•ึผืช ื‘ึถึผื—ึธืจึถื‘ - lo tamut b'แธฅarev) is very specific. It doesn't mean Zedekiah wouldn't die, but rather that his death would not be the result of a violent, battlefield encounter. This distinction is crucial for understanding the nuance of God's promise and its fulfillment.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Application

While this verse promises Zedekiah would not die by the sword, subsequent prophecies and historical accounts reveal his ultimate, tragic fate. As described in Jeremiah 39:7 and 2 Kings 25:7, Zedekiah was captured, forced to watch his sons executed, then had his eyes put out before being taken in chains to Babylon, where he later died in prison. This demonstrates the precise and often paradoxical nature of God's prophecies: mercy on one hand (not dying by the sword), yet severe judgment for his rebellion on the other.

For believers today, this verse offers several insights:

  • God's word is always precise and will be fulfilled, even if its fulfillment involves complex details.
  • Even in times of severe judgment, God can extend specific mercies to individuals, reflecting His compassionate character (Lamentations 3:22).
  • It underscores the importance of truly hearing and obeying God's warnings, as disobedience inevitably leads to consequences, even if specific forms of suffering are averted.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

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