--- title: "Clarke" description: "Verse Jeremiah 34:1. The word which came unto Jeremiah — This discourse was delivered in the tenth year of the reign of Zedekiah. The chapter contains two" image: "/images/missing.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/jeremiah/34" --- Verse [Jeremiah 34:1](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/1). ***The word which came unto Jeremiah*** — This discourse was delivered in the *tenth* year of the reign of Zedekiah. The chapter contains two discourses; one, [Jeremiah 34:1-7](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/1-7), which concerns the taking of the city, and Zedekiah's captivity and death; the other, [Jeremiah 34:8-22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/8-22), which is an invective against the inhabitants of Jerusalem for having Hebrew male and female slaves. These, having been manumitted at the instance of the prophet, were afterwards brought back by their old masters, and put in the same thraldom; for which God threatens them with severe judgments. ***Nebuchadnezzar-and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the**********earth of his dominion*** — That is, his army was composed of soldiers gathered out of Babylon, and out of all his tributary dominions: one hundred and twenty provinces. Verse [Jeremiah 34:2](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/2). ***He shall burn it with fire*** — This was a newly-added circumstance. Among many ancient nations they burned the bodies of the more illustrious dead. Odours were used in the burning: they then gathered the ashes, and put them into an urn or pitcher, sometimes into a strong vessel, and buried them. Many of these have been digged up in different parts of England, where the Romans had stations. Verse [Jeremiah 34:3](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/3). ***Thou shalt not escape*** — This, however, he had attempted, but was taken in his flight. See [Jeremiah 39:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/39/4); [Jeremiah 52:7](../../../kjv/jeremiah/52/7), &c. Verse [Jeremiah 34:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/5). ***Thou shalt die in peace*** — Thou shalt not die a *violent* death; and at thy death thou shalt have all those funereal solemnities which were usual at the demise of kings. See [2 Chronicles 16:14](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/16/14). ***So shall they burn*****odours*****for thee*** — Scented wood and other odoriferous substances are placed on the funeral pile of the rich Hindoos, and burned with the body. ***And they will lament thee*****, saying,*****Ah lord!*** — They will recite the funeral dirge that begins with those words. [Jeremiah 22:18](../../../kjv/jeremiah/22/18). Verse [Jeremiah 34:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/6). ***Spake all these words unto Zedekiah*** — He delivered this message at the hazard of his life. Jeremiah feared God, and had no other fear. Verse [Jeremiah 34:7](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/7). ***Against Lachish, and against Azekah*** — These were two cities of Judah of considerable importance: they had been strongly fortified by Rehoboam, [2 Chronicles 11:9-11](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/11/9-11); [2 Chronicles 32:9](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/32/9). Verse [Jeremiah 34:8](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/8). ***The word that came unto Jeremiah*** — Here the *second* discourse begins, which was delivered probably a short time, even a few days, after the former. ***Zedekiah had made a covenant*** — We find no account elsewhere of this covenant: "Every man should let his man-servant and his maid-servant go free;" i.e., as we learn from [Jeremiah 34:14](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/14), on the *sabbatical year*; for the *seventh* year was the *year of release*. See [Deuteronomy 15:12](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/15/12). Verse [Jeremiah 34:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/11). ***But afterward they turned*** — They had agreed to manumit them at the end of the *seventh* year; but when the *seventh* year was ended, they recalled their engagement, and detained their servants. This, I believe, is what is here meant. Verse [Jeremiah 34:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/16). ***Ye - polluted my name*** — Had made the covenant in my name, calling me to witness it; now ye have dishonoured my name, by breaking that covenant, and acting contrary to my law. Verse [Jeremiah 34:17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/17). ***I proclaim a liberty for you*** — Ye proclaimed *liberty* to your slaves, and afterward resumed your *authority* over them; and I had in consequence *restrained* the sword from cutting you off: but now I give *liberty* to the *sword*, to the *pestilence*, and to the *famine*, and to the *captivity*, to destroy and consume you, and *enslave* you: for ye shall be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth. The prophet loves to express the *conformity* between the *crime* and its *punishment*. You promised to give *liberty* to your *enslaved* brethren; I was pleased, and *bound* the sword in its sheath. You broke your promise, and brought them again into *bondage*; I gave *liberty* to the sword, pestilence, and famine, to destroy multitudes of you, and *captivity* to take the rest. Thus you are punished *according* to your crimes, and in the *punishment* you may see the *crime*. Sword, pestilence, and famine are frequently joined together, as being often the effects of each other. The *sword* or *war* produces *famine; famine*, the *pestilence*. Verse [Jeremiah 34:18](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/18). ***When they cut the calf in twain, and passed between**********the parts thereof*** — This was the ancient and most solemn way of making a covenant. 1. A calf as sacrifice was offered to God to secure his approbation and support. 2. The *victim* was then *exactly* *divided* from the nose to the rump; the *spinal marrow* being divided longitudinally, in the most careful manner, that the *half* of it might remain on *each side*. 3. These divided parts were laid opposite to each other, a passage being left between them. 4. The contracting parties entered this passage at each end, met in the middle, and there took the covenant oath; adjudging themselves to death should they break this covenant. 5. Then they both feasted on the victim. In reference to this last circumstance, God says he *will give their bodies* for *meat to the fowls of heaven* and *to the* *beasts*. This is a farther conformity between the crime and the punishment. See my notes on [Genesis 15:9-17](../../../kjv/genesis/15/9-17). Verse [Jeremiah 34:21](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/21). ***The king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from**********you.*** — Nebuchadnezzar, hearing that there was an Egyptian army coming to the relief of Jerusalem, raised the siege, went out, and met and defeated the Egyptians. It was in the interim this prophecy was delivered. Verse [Jeremiah 34:22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/22). ***I will - cause them to return*** — They did return; re-invested the city; and, after an obstinate defence, took it, plundered it, and burned it to the ground, taking *Zedekiah* and his *princes* captive. ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/jeremiah/34#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Clarke's Commentary - Jeremiah 34"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/jeremiah/34#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/jeremiah/34","name":"Clarke's Commentary - Jeremiah 34","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/jeremiah/34#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"Verse Jeremiah 34:1. 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