Jeremiah 34:15

And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:

And ye were now {H3117} turned {H7725}, and had done {H6213} right {H3477} in my sight {H5869}, in proclaiming {H7121} liberty {H1865} every man {H376} to his neighbour {H7453}; and ye had made {H3772} a covenant {H1285} before {H6440} me in the house {H1004} which is called {H7121} by my name {H8034}:

Now you repented, you did what is right from my viewpoint when each of you proclaimed freedom to his fellow; and you made a covenant before me in the house bearing my name.

Recently you repented and did what pleased Me; each of you proclaimed freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before Me in the house that bears My Name.

And ye were now turned, and had done that which is right in mine eyes, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbor; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:

Commentary

Jeremiah 34:15 captures a fleeting moment of obedience from the people of Judah during the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. This verse is part of a larger prophecy delivered by Jeremiah concerning King Zedekiah and the city's impending destruction.

Context

At this critical juncture, facing imminent conquest and the wrath of God's judgment, King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem made a solemn covenant. This covenant, described earlier in Jeremiah 34:8-10, involved releasing their Hebrew slaves. According to the Mosaic Law, Hebrew servants were to be freed after six years of service (Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12). The people had been neglecting this commandment, but under duress, they "now turned" and momentarily "done right" in God's sight by performing this act of justice. The covenant was made "in the house which is called by my name," referring to the Temple in Jerusalem, underscoring the solemnity and religious significance of their promise.

Key Themes

  • Temporary Obedience and Hypocrisy: The verse highlights a brief period where Judah acted righteously, driven by desperation rather than true repentance. This temporary obedience is immediately contrasted by their subsequent actions in Jeremiah 34:16, where they reneged on their promise, taking back the freed slaves. This reveals a deep-seated hypocrisy and lack of genuine commitment to God's law.
  • Divine Expectation of Justice: God's commendation of their act of "proclaiming liberty" underscores His consistent demand for justice, compassion, and adherence to His covenant laws, especially concerning the vulnerable and oppressed.
  • The Significance of Covenant: The making of a "covenant before me in the house which is called by my name" emphasizes the sacredness of promises made to God. Breaking such a covenant, especially one made in His Temple, was a profound offense.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "proclaiming liberty" translates the Hebrew word d'ror (Χ“Χ¨Χ•Χ¨), which signifies freedom, release, and amnesty. This term is notably used in Leviticus 25:10 regarding the Year of Jubilee, a time when slaves were freed, debts were remitted, and ancestral lands were returned. By using this term, Jeremiah connects their action (and subsequent failure) to a foundational principle of justice and restoration within the Mosaic Law.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 34:15 serves as a powerful reminder of the nature of true repentance and obedience. It challenges us to examine our own motives:

  • Integrity in Promises: Are our commitments to God and others genuine, or are they conditional upon circumstances? True faith involves consistent integrity, not just convenient compliance.
  • Justice for the Oppressed: The divine emphasis on "proclaiming liberty" and caring for "every man to his neighbour" calls believers to advocate for justice and freedom in society, particularly for those who are marginalized or enslaved in any form.
  • Beyond Superficiality: God desires a heart that is truly transformed, not just outward actions performed under duress. This echoes the prophetic call for internal change over mere ritual (Isaiah 1:11-17).

The verse highlights that while God acknowledges even temporary good, He ultimately requires steadfast faithfulness to His covenant.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 34:8 (6 votes)

    ΒΆ [This is] the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which [were] at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;

  • 2 Kings 23:3 (4 votes)

    And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all [their] heart and all [their] soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

  • Jeremiah 7:10 (3 votes)

    And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?

  • Jeremiah 7:11 (3 votes)

    Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD.

  • Nehemiah 10:29 (3 votes)

    They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

  • 2 Kings 10:30 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing [that which is] right in mine eyes, [and] hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that [was] in mine heart, thy children of the fourth [generation] shall sit on the throne of Israel.

  • 2 Kings 10:31 (2 votes)

    But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.