Jeremiah 34:9

That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, [being] an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, [to wit], of a Jew his brother.

That every man {H376} should let his manservant {H5650}, and every man {H376} his maidservant {H8198}, being an Hebrew {H5680} or an Hebrewess {H5680}, go {H7971} free {H2670}; that none should serve {H5647} himself of them, to wit, of a Jew {H3064} his brother {H251}.

Everyone who had a male or female slave who was Hebrew was to let him go free; none was to keep as his slave a fellow Jew.

that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage.

that every man should let his man-servant, and every man his maid-servant, that is a Hebrew or a Hebrewess, go free; that none should make bondmen of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.

Jeremiah 34:9 is a pivotal verse within a prophetic message delivered by Jeremiah during the critical period of Jerusalem's siege by the Babylonians. It highlights a specific command from God concerning the treatment of Hebrew servants, reflecting core principles of the Mosaic Law and the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Historical and Cultural Context

At the time this prophecy was given, King Zedekiah of Judah and the people of Jerusalem had made a solemn covenant before the Lord to release their Hebrew manservants and maidservants. This act was a response to the severe distress of the Babylonian siege, an attempt to appease God by fulfilling a long-neglected command from the Mosaic Law. The law, found in passages like Deuteronomy 15:12-18 and Exodus 21:2-6, stipulated that a Hebrew servant should be freed after six years of service. However, the people had violated this law, continuing to hold their fellow Israelites in perpetual servitude. Jeremiah 34:9 specifically records the divine instruction that was part of this covenant: "That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, [being] an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, [to wit], of a Jew his brother."

Key Themes and Messages

  • Obedience to Divine Law: The verse underscores the absolute necessity of obeying God's commands, especially those concerning justice and human dignity. The people's failure to adhere to the ancient law regarding Hebrew servitude was a significant transgression against God's covenant.
  • Justice and Compassion: God's heart for the oppressed is evident. The command to free servants reflects a deep concern for fair treatment and the inherent worth of every individual, particularly within the covenant community. It was an act of mercy and compassion towards those who were economically vulnerable.
  • Brotherly Responsibility: The phrase "of a Jew his brother" emphasizes the unique bond and mutual responsibility within the Israelite nation. Exploiting a fellow Israelite was a direct violation of this sacred kinship and the principles of brotherly love.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: The release of servants was a symbolic act of returning to covenant faithfulness. Unfortunately, as the narrative in Jeremiah 34:11 reveals, this repentance was short-lived, leading to severe divine judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Hebrew" (‘ibrî in Hebrew) specifically identifies the ethnic and religious lineage of the servants, distinguishing them from foreign slaves who had different legal stipulations. The phrase "go free" comes from the Hebrew root ḥāpaš (חפש), meaning to search out, but in this context, it signifies liberation or being set loose. "That none should serve himself of them" implies that no one should continue to exploit or hold them in bondage beyond the legal limit, especially not "of a Jew his brother," highlighting the egregious nature of this specific injustice within the covenant community.

Practical Application

While the specific context of Hebrew servitude is ancient, the principles embedded in Jeremiah 34:9 remain profoundly relevant for modern believers and society. It calls for:

  • Upholding Justice: A commitment to justice and human rights for all people, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized. This includes advocating against all forms of modern slavery, exploitation, and unfair labor practices.
  • Ethical Treatment of Others: Treating those under our authority—employees, subordinates, or even family members—with dignity, respect, and fairness, recognizing their inherent worth as individuals created in God's image.
  • Integrity and Obedience: The verse serves as a powerful reminder that true obedience to God involves not just ritual but also ethical conduct and genuine compassion towards others. It challenges us to examine areas in our lives where we might be neglecting divine principles for personal gain or convenience. The consequences of their disobedience, as outlined in Jeremiah 34:17, underscore the seriousness of failing to live up to God's standards of justice.

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.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:22

    ¶ Are they Hebrews? so [am] I. Are they Israelites? so [am] I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so [am] I.

  • Exodus 3:18

    And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

  • Philippians 3:5

    Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

  • Jeremiah 34:10

    Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let [them] go.

  • Genesis 14:13

    ¶ And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these [were] confederate with Abram.

  • Jeremiah 25:14

    For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.

  • 1 Samuel 14:11

    And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

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