Jeremiah 34:6

Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,

Then Jeremiah {H3414} the prophet {H5030} spake {H1696} all these words {H1697} unto Zedekiah {H6667} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} in Jerusalem {H3389},

Yirmeyahu the prophet said all these words to Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah in Yerushalayim

In Jerusalem, then, Jeremiah the prophet relayed all these words to Zedekiah king of Judah

Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,

Jeremiah 34:6 serves as a crucial transitional verse, marking the direct confrontation between God's prophet and the reigning king of Judah during a pivotal moment in history. It highlights Jeremiah's faithful execution of his prophetic duty.

Context

This verse is set against the grim backdrop of the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, was a vassal ruler appointed by Babylon, but he rebelled, leading to the devastating siege. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 34:2-5) contain a specific, severe prophecy directed at Zedekiah himself: that Jerusalem would be burned and Zedekiah would be taken captive to Babylon, though he would die peacefully there, unlike other kings. This verse confirms that Jeremiah personally delivered this difficult message to the king in the royal court, underscoring the directness and urgency of God's word during Judah's final days.

Key Themes

  • Divine Mandate: Jeremiah is not speaking his own opinions but "all these words" given to him by God. This emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the message, regardless of its unpopularity or harshness.
  • Prophetic Obedience: Despite the danger and the king's likely displeasure, Jeremiah faithfully conveys God's unvarnished truth. His courage demonstrates the unwavering commitment required of a true prophet, as also seen in Jeremiah's initial calling.
  • Confrontation with Power: The scene depicts a direct, personal confrontation between the prophet and the highest political authority, a common motif in biblical prophecy where God's word challenges human rulers.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "spake all these words" (Hebrew: dibber eth-kol-ha-devarim ha-elleh) emphasizes the completeness and exactness of Jeremiah's message. He did not withhold or alter any part of the divine revelation. The Hebrew word dabar can mean both "word" and "thing" or "matter," implying that Jeremiah delivered not just abstract words but the full reality of God's decreed events.

Significance and Reflection

Jeremiah 34:6 underscores the profound responsibility of those who bear God's message and the inescapable nature of His word. It reminds us that God's judgments are not arbitrary but are delivered with clarity, offering a chance for repentance even in the direst circumstances. For King Zedekiah, this was his final opportunity to hear and potentially heed the divine warning, though history records his tragic failure to do so, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people.

This verse encourages believers today to consider the importance of both speaking and hearing God's truth, even when it is challenging or uncomfortable. It highlights the courage required to stand for divine truth in the face of worldly power, mirroring the call to stand firm in God's will.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 15:16

    Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

  • 1 Samuel 15:24

    ¶ And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

  • 1 Samuel 3:18

    And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It [is] the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

  • 1 Kings 21:19

    And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

  • 1 Kings 22:14

    And Micaiah said, [As] the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.

  • Matthew 14:4

    For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

  • 2 Samuel 12:7

    And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

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