Old Testament
Jeremiah 34:16
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
But you turned and polluted my name, causing each man to take back his servant and handmaid, whom he had set free to do as they pleased, and forced them back into slavery as servants and handmaids.
Compare translations
But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom he had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.
What Jeremiah 34:16 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is expressing His disappointment with the people of Judah. They had initially freed their servants and handmaids, allowing them to live freely. However, they later went back on their promise, forcing these individuals back into slavery. This act not only disobeyed God's command but also dishonored His name. By breaking their covenant and returning to oppression, they demonstrated a lack of faithfulness and integrity. God emphasizes that their actions polluted His name, indicating that their behavior reflected poorly on their relationship with Him. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping one's promises and the serious consequences of failing to uphold justice and compassion in our dealings with others.
How to apply Jeremiah 34:16 to your life
This verse encourages us to honor our commitments and treat others with respect and dignity. It reminds us that our actions can reflect our values and beliefs. We should strive to uphold justice and compassion in our relationships, ensuring that we do not exploit or oppress others.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
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At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 34:16 mean?
Jeremiah 34:16 expresses God's disappointment with the people of Judah for breaking their promise to free their servants and handmaids. They initially allowed these individuals to live freely but later forced them back into slavery, which dishonored God's name and demonstrated a lack of integrity.
What is the significance of 'polluted my name' in Jeremiah 34:16?
The phrase 'polluted my name' in Jeremiah 34:16 indicates that the actions of the people of Judah brought shame to God's reputation. By breaking their covenant and returning to oppression, they not only disobeyed God but also tarnished the image of their relationship with Him.
What does this verse teach about keeping promises?
Jeremiah 34:16 teaches the importance of keeping promises and commitments. It highlights that failing to uphold one's word can lead to injustice and reflects poorly on one's values and beliefs.
How does Jeremiah 34:16 relate to justice?
Jeremiah 34:16 relates to justice by illustrating the consequences of failing to treat others fairly. The verse shows that returning to oppression after granting freedom is a violation of justice and compassion.
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