Old Testament
Jeremiah 34:17
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Therefore, this is what the LORD says: You have not listened to me by proclaiming liberty, each one to his brother and every man to his neighbor. So, I now proclaim liberty for you, says the LORD, to the sword, to the plague, and to the famine; and I will scatter you among all the kingdoms of the earth.
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Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
What Jeremiah 34:17 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is addressing the people of Judah, highlighting their failure to obey His command to grant freedom to their fellow Israelites. They had promised to release their slaves but did not follow through. As a consequence, God declares that He will now bring about a different kind of freedom for them, one that leads to destruction and suffering. Instead of liberty, they will face the sword, disease, and famine, and will be scattered among the nations. This serves as a warning about the serious repercussions of disobedience to God's commands and the importance of treating others with justice and compassion. The verse emphasizes that true liberty comes from following God's will, and neglecting it leads to dire consequences.
How to apply Jeremiah 34:17 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of listening to God's commands, especially regarding justice and compassion towards others. We should strive to uphold our commitments and treat those around us with fairness, as neglecting these principles can lead to serious consequences in our lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
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Keep studying Jeremiah 34:17
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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 34:17 mean by proclaiming liberty?
In Jeremiah 34:17, proclaiming liberty refers to God's command for the people of Judah to free their fellow Israelites who were enslaved. This was a call for justice and compassion, emphasizing the importance of treating others fairly. However, the people failed to obey this command, leading to dire consequences.
What are the consequences mentioned in Jeremiah 34:17?
The consequences in Jeremiah 34:17 include being subjected to the sword, plague, and famine. God declares that instead of the liberty they failed to grant to others, they will experience destruction and suffering, ultimately leading to their scattering among the nations. This serves as a warning about the repercussions of disobedience.
How does Jeremiah 34:17 relate to justice and compassion?
Jeremiah 34:17 highlights the connection between obedience to God's commands and the principles of justice and compassion. The failure of the people to grant freedom to their neighbors reflects a lack of these values. The verse serves as a reminder that true liberty and justice come from following God's will and treating others with fairness.
What lesson can we learn from Jeremiah 34:17?
The key lesson from Jeremiah 34:17 is the importance of listening to God's commands and upholding our commitments to others. It teaches us that neglecting justice and compassion can lead to serious consequences in our lives. We are encouraged to treat those around us with fairness and to take God's commands seriously.
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