TRV
Translation
King James Version
Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
Complete Jewish Bible
Yirmeyahu the prophet said all these words to Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah in Yerushalayim
Berean Standard Bible
In Jerusalem, then, Jeremiah the prophet relayed all these words to Zedekiah king of Judah
American Standard Version
Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
World English Bible Messianic
Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke all these words to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then Ieremiah the Prophet spake all these words vnto Zedekiah King of Iudah in Ierusalem,
Young's Literal Translation
And Jeremiah the prophet speaketh unto Zedekiah king of Judah all these words in Jerusalem,
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In the KJVVerse 19,808 of 31,102
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Commentary on Jeremiah 34 verses 1–7
1 ¶ The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:
3 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.
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:
5 But thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings which were before thee, so shall they burn odours for thee; and they will lament thee, saying, Ah lord! for I have pronounced the word, saith the LORD.
6 Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
7 When the king of Babylon's army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Judah.
This prophecy concerning Zedekiah was delivered to Jeremiah, and by him to the parties concerned, before he was shut up in the prison, for we find this prediction here made the ground of his commitment, as appears by the recital of some passages out of it, Jer 32:4. Observe,
I. The time when this message was sent to Zedekiah; it was when the king of Babylon, with all his forces, some out of all the kingdoms of the earth that were within his jurisdiction, fought against Jerusalem and the cities thereof (Jer 34:1), designing to destroy them, having often plundered them. The cities that now remained, and yet held out, are named (Jer 34:7), Lachish and Azekah. This intimates that things were now brought to the last extremity, and yet Zedekiah obstinately stood it out, his heart being hardened to his destruction.
II. The message itself that was sent to him. 1. Here is a threatening of wrath. He is told that again which he had been often told before, that the city shall be taken by the Chaldeans and burnt with fire (Jer 34:2), that he shall himself fall into the enemy's hands, shall be made a prisoner, shall be brought before that furious prince Nebuchadnezzar, and be carried away captive into Babylon (Jer 34:3); yet Ezekiel prophesied that he should not see Babylon; nor did he, for his eyes were put out, Eze 12:13. This Zedekiah brought upon himself from God by his other sins and from Nebuchadnezzar by breaking his faith with him. 2. Here is a mixture of mercy. He shall die a captive, but he shall not die by the sword he shall die a natural death (Jer 34:4); he shall end his days with some comfort, shall die in peace, Jer 34:5. He never had been one of the worst of the kings, but we are willing to hope that what evil he had done in the sight of the Lord he repented of in his captivity, as Manasseh had done, and it was forgiven to him; and, God being reconciled to him, he might truly be said to die in peace, Note, A man may die in a prison and yet die in peace. Nay, he shall end his days with some reputation, more than one would expect, all things considered. He shall be buried with the burnings of his fathers, that is, with the respect usually shown to their kings, especially those that had done good in Israel. It seems, in his captivity he had conducted himself so well towards his own people that they were willing to do him this honour, and towards Nebuchadnezzar that he suffered it to be done. If Zedekiah had continued in his prosperity, perhaps he would have grown worse and would have departed at last without being desired; but his afflictions wrought such a change in him that his death was looked upon as a great loss. It is better to live and die penitent in a prison than to live and die impenitent in a palace. They will lament thee, saying, Ah lord! an honour which his brother Jehoiakim had not, Jer 22:18. The Jews say that they lamented thus over him, Alas! Zedekiah is dead, who drank the dregs of all the ages that went before him, that is, who suffered for the sins of his ancestors, the measure of iniquity being filled up in his days. They shall thus lament him, saith the Lord, for I have pronounced the word; and what God hath spoken shall without fail be made good.
III. Jeremiah's faithfulness in delivering this message. Though he knew it would be ungrateful to the king, and might prove, as indeed it did, dangerous to himself (for he was imprisoned for it), yet he spoke all these words to Zedekiah, Jer 34:6. It is a mercy to great men to have those about them that will deal faithfully with them, and tell them the evil consequences of their evil courses, that they may reform and live.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER SEVEN
[Daniel 7:1] "In the first year of Belshazzar, King of Babylon, Daniel beheld a dream. And a vision of his head upon his bed. And when he wrote the dream down, he comprehended it in a few words and gave a brief summary of it, saying..." This section which we now undertake to explain, and also the subsequent section which we are going to discuss, is historically prior to the two previous sections. For this present section and that which follows it are recorded to have taken place in the first and third years of the reign of King Belshazzar (Jeremiah 39) [Jerome's citation of Jeremiah 39 seems quite pointless in this connection]. But the section which we read previously to the one just preceding this, is recorded to have taken place in the last year, indeed on the final day, of Belshaz-zar's reign. And we meet this phenomenon not only in Daniel but also in Jeremiah [cf. Jeremiah 35 and Jeremiah 34] and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 17), as we shall be able to show, if life spares us that long. But in the earlier portion of the book, the historical order has been followed, namely the events which occurred in the time of Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar, and Darius or Cyrus. But in the passages now before us an account is given of various visions which were beheld on particular occasions and of which only the prophet himself was aware, and which therefore lacked any importance as signs or revelations so far as the barbarian nations were concerned. But they were written down only that a record of the things beheld might be preserved for posterity.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 34:6 records a profoundly significant moment in the twilight of the Kingdom of Judah, explicitly detailing the prophet Jeremiah's direct delivery of God's severe message to King Zedekiah within the besieged capital of Jerusalem. This pivotal interaction underscores Jeremiah's unwavering fidelity to his divine commission, even when conveying a deeply unpopular and dire prophecy concerning the impending destruction of the city and the king's inevitable capture and exile by the Babylonian forces. It vividly portrays the direct confrontation between unyielding divine truth and human authority, emphasizing the inescapable and authoritative nature of God's revealed word.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse serves as a critical narrative bridge within a specific prophetic oracle directed with stark clarity at King Zedekiah. The preceding verses, Jeremiah 34:1-5, meticulously outline the Lord's decree regarding Jerusalem's imminent fall to Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, Zedekiah's personal capture, and his eventual death in Babylon, notably with the promise of a peaceful demise and proper burial, a stark contrast to the fate of some other kings. Jeremiah 34:6 confirms that this intensely personal and politically charged divine communication was not a general public proclamation but a direct, face-to-face encounter between the prophet and the reigning monarch. This direct address profoundly emphasizes the gravity, immediacy, and personal accountability embedded within God's word, setting the tragic stage for Zedekiah's subsequent fateful decisions and the ultimate, devastating fulfillment of the prophecy, vividly detailed in later historical accounts such as Jeremiah 39.
Historical & Cultural Context: The dramatic backdrop of Jeremiah 34:6 is Jerusalem, enduring the final, desperate stages of Nebuchadnezzar's siege. King Zedekiah, installed as a vassal ruler by Nebuchadnezzar after the initial Babylonian deportations, had unwisely rebelled against Babylon, precipitating this devastating and protracted siege. The city faced catastrophic conditions, including widespread starvation and overwhelming military defeat. In such a dire atmosphere, prophets like Jeremiah, whose messages often advocated surrender and pronounced divine judgment, were frequently perceived as traitors, their words undermining national morale and political resistance. For Jeremiah to "speak all these words" directly to the king within the royal court was an act of extraordinary courage, a direct challenge to the prevailing political narrative and the king's own ill-fated policies. Culturally, the direct address of a prophet to a king was a recognized, albeit often perilous, form of divine intervention in national affairs, unequivocally asserting God's ultimate sovereignty over human rulers and their earthly kingdoms.
Key Themes: Jeremiah 34:6 powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes that resonate throughout the entire book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the Divine Mandate and Authority inherent in God's word, as Jeremiah speaks "all these words" that originate not from his own human intellect but directly from the Lord. This emphasizes that prophetic utterances are not mere human opinions or political advisories but divinely authoritative decrees, bearing the full weight of God's sovereign will, a truth firmly established early in Jeremiah's prophetic calling in Jeremiah 1:7-9. Secondly, the verse profoundly showcases Prophetic Obedience and Courage. Despite the immense personal danger and the king's predictable displeasure, Jeremiah faithfully delivers the complete, unvarnished truth, demonstrating the unwavering commitment and moral fortitude required of God's messenger in the face of overwhelming pressure. Finally, it powerfully illustrates the recurring theme of Confrontation with Power, where God's word, delivered through His chosen prophet, directly challenges and judges human rulers and their policies, particularly when those policies defy divine commands or place trust in human strength over God's absolute sovereignty, as tragically exemplified by Zedekiah's misguided reliance on Egypt in Jeremiah 37:5-7.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 34:6 employs several potent literary devices to amplify its impact and convey its profound theological weight. Direct Address is preeminent, as Jeremiah explicitly speaks "unto Zedekiah king of Judah," establishing a powerful, personal confrontation between divine authority and human power. This directness heightens the dramatic tension and underscores the inescapable nature of God's word. The phrase "spake all these words" functions as a form of Emphasis, powerfully highlighting the completeness, integrity, and unadulterated nature of the divine message. Jeremiah's unwavering delivery reinforces the concept of Divine Mandate and the prophet's unyielding Fidelity to his sacred calling. Furthermore, given Zedekiah's ultimate and tragic refusal to heed Jeremiah's clear warnings, the entire scene carries a profound element of Dramatic Irony, where the precise, direct warning is given with utmost clarity, yet it is tragically ignored, leading inexorably to the very outcome predicted.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 34:6 stands as a profound testament to the very nature of God's communication with humanity, particularly through His chosen prophetic messengers. It unequivocally underscores the divine imperative for prophets to speak God's uncompromised truth, regardless of the personal cost, the unpopularity of the message, or the political climate. This direct confrontation between God's authoritative word and fallible human authority is a recurring and central biblical theme, vividly illustrating God's absolute sovereignty over earthly rulers and His unwavering commitment to justice, covenant faithfulness, and the fulfillment of His decrees. The verse also implicitly highlights the profound theological principle that divine warnings are given not for arbitrary punishment but as gracious opportunities for repentance and a turning back to God, even in the face of impending and severe judgment. Jeremiah's courageous obedience in delivering this difficult message reflects the broader biblical call to unwavering faithfulness in proclaiming God's truth, even when it is uncomfortable, challenging to the status quo, or personally perilous.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 34:6 serves as a compelling and timeless reminder of the solemn responsibility incumbent upon those who bear God's message, and equally, the critical importance of attentively hearing and humbly responding to divine truth. Jeremiah's extraordinary courage in delivering an unpopular and dire prophecy directly to the king, even amidst a national existential crisis, powerfully challenges us to deeply consider our own faithfulness in speaking God's truth, particularly when it is difficult, uncomfortable, or runs counter to prevailing societal norms and personal inclinations. Furthermore, it compels us to rigorously examine our own receptiveness to God's word, especially when it confronts our comfort zones, exposes our self-deceptions, or calls for uncomfortable and transformative changes in our lives. Just as King Zedekiah was afforded a direct and unambiguous warning, we too are continually presented with God's truth through the inspired Scriptures and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. Our response to this revealed truth—whether in humble obedience or stubborn resistance—profoundly determines our spiritual trajectory and ultimate destiny. This verse compels us to cultivate a posture of profound humility, attentive listening, and unwavering obedience, recognizing that God's word, though sometimes challenging and piercing, is always for our ultimate good, our sanctification, and His eternal glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was it so significant that Jeremiah spoke "all these words" personally to King Zedekiah?
Answer: The personal delivery of "all these words" by Jeremiah to King Zedekiah was profoundly significant for several interconnected reasons. Firstly, it unequivocally underscored the divine origin and absolute authority of the message. God chose to deliver this crucial prophecy not through an intermediary, a general public proclamation, or a written scroll, but through a direct, personal, and face-to-face confrontation between His prophet and the highest human authority in Judah. This directness left no conceivable room for misinterpretation, denial, or evasion on Zedekiah's part; he heard God's word directly from God's appointed messenger. Secondly, it powerfully highlighted Jeremiah's unwavering obedience and extraordinary courage. In a city under siege, delivering a message of impending doom, personal capture, and the fall of the kingdom to a desperate and politically vulnerable king was an act fraught with extreme danger and could easily be construed as treason. Jeremiah's willingness to directly confront Zedekiah demonstrated his absolute fidelity to God's command, even at immense personal risk, a consistent theme throughout his prophetic ministry as seen in episodes like his arrest and trial in Jeremiah 26:8-11. Finally, this personal encounter emphasized the gravity, immediacy, and finality of the divine warning. This was Zedekiah's last clear, direct opportunity to hear and potentially respond to God's will and avert the full weight of judgment before it irrevocably fell upon Jerusalem and upon himself personally.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 34:6, which vividly depicts the prophet Jeremiah delivering God's direct and unvarnished word to King Zedekiah, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest redemptive meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah, functioning as a faithful prophet, served as God's chosen mouthpiece, speaking "all these words" that were divinely entrusted to him by the Lord. This prophetic role profoundly foreshadows Jesus, who is not merely a prophet among many, but the very Word of God incarnate (John 1:1 and John 1:14). Jesus perfectly embodies, articulates, and delivers the entirety of God's message, declaring with divine authority, "For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak" (John 12:49). Just as Jeremiah courageously confronted Zedekiah with a message of impending judgment and a call to repentance, Jesus likewise confronted the religious and political leaders of His day, calling them to profound repentance and warning them of coming divine judgment upon Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-38). While Zedekiah tragically rejected Jeremiah's words, leading to the physical destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus' ultimate, self-sacrificial act on the cross offers a path to eternal life and spiritual redemption for all who believe, thereby fulfilling the ancient promise of a new covenant where God's law is not merely written on stone tablets but inscribed upon the very hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:33). Through Christ, the ultimate Prophet, High Priest, and King, God's final, saving, and redemptive word has been definitively spoken, offering not just warnings of judgment but the ultimate hope of reconciliation, forgiveness, and eternal life (Hebrews 1:1-3).