Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests and all the people of the land who walked between the pieces of the calf, New Living Translation Yes, I will cut you apart, whether you are officials of Judah or Jerusalem, court officials, priests, or common people—for you have broken your oath. English Standard Version the officials of Judah, the officials of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf. Berean Standard Bible The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf, Berean Literal Bible the princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, those passing between the parts of the calf! King James Bible The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf; New King James Version the princes of Judah, the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf— New American Standard Bible the officials of Judah and the officials of Jerusalem, the high officials and the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf— NASB 1995 the officials of Judah and the officials of Jerusalem, the court officers and the priests and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf— NASB 1977 the officials of Judah, and the officials of Jerusalem, the court officers, and the priests, and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf— Legacy Standard Bible the officials of Judah and the officials of Jerusalem, the court officers and the priests and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf— Amplified Bible The princes of Judah, the princes of Jerusalem, the high officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf, Berean Annotated Bible The officials of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace), the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf, Christian Standard Bible The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf— Holman Christian Standard Bible The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf American Standard Version the princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, that passed between the parts of the calf; English Revised Version the princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf; GOD'S WORD® Translation I will hand over the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the palace officials, the priests, and all the common people who passed between the pieces of the calf. International Standard Version the officials of Judah, the officials of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf. NET Bible I will punish the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the other people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf. New Heart English Bible the officials of Judah, and the officials of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf; Webster's Bible Translation The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf, World English Bible the princes of Judah, the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionheads of Judah, and heads of Jerusalem, the officers, and the priests, and all the people of the land who had passed through between the pieces of the calf— Berean Literal Bible the princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, those passing between the parts of the calf! Young's Literal Translation heads of Judah, and heads of Jerusalem, the officers, and the priests, and all the people of the land those passing through between the pieces of the calf -- Smith's Literal Translation The chiefs of Judah, and the chiefs of Jerusalem, the eunuchs and the priests, and all the people of the land passing between the parts of the calf. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe princes of Juda, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land that passed between the parts of the calf: Catholic Public Domain Version the leaders of Judah, and the leaders of Jerusalem, the eunuchs and the priests, and all the people of the land, who have passed between the parts of the calf. New American Bible the princes of Judah and of Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf. New Revised Standard Version the officials of Judah, the officials of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe princes of Judah and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs and the priests and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The Princes of Judea and of Jerusalem and Eunuchs and Priests and all the people of the land who passed between the halves of a calf OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917the princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the officers, and the priests, and all the people of the land, that passed between the parts of the calf; Brenton Septuagint Translation the princes of Juda, and the men in power, and the priests, and the people; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Freedom for Hebrew Slaves…18And those who have transgressed My covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before Me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two in order to pass between its pieces. 19The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf, 20I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.… Cross References The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, Jeremiah 26:10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went up from the king’s palace to the house of the LORD and sat there at the entrance of the New Gate. 2 Kings 24:12 Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. Zephaniah 1:8 “On the Day of the LORD’s sacrifice I will punish the princes, the sons of the king, and all who are dressed in foreign apparel. the court officials, Daniel 1:3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring in some Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas— 2 Kings 25:19 Of those still in the city, he took a court official who had been appointed over the men of war, as well as five royal advisors. He also took the scribe of the captain of the army, who had enlisted the people of the land, and sixty men who were found in the city. the priests, 2 Chronicles 36:14 Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. Malachi 2:8-9 But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.” and all the people of the land 2 Kings 11:18 So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. And Jehoiada the priest posted guards for the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 23:3 So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant. 2 Chronicles 34:31 So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. who passed between the pieces of the calf Genesis 15:17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the halves of the carcasses. Genesis 15:10 So Abram brought all these to Him, split each of them down the middle, and laid the halves opposite each other. The birds, however, he did not cut in half. Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— Jeremiah 11:3-5 You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant, / which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’ / This was in order to establish the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is to this day.” “Amen, LORD,” I answered. Treasury of Scripture The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf; princes. 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. Ezekiel 22:27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. Daniel 9:6,8,12 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land… the eunuchs. Jeremiah 29:2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;) Jeremiah 38:7 Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; 2 Kings 24:12,15 And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign… Jump to Previous Calf Court Eunuchs Heads Jerusalem Judah Leaders Officers Officials Parts Passed Passing Pieces Priests Princes Rulers Servants Unsexed WalkedJump to Next Calf Court Eunuchs Heads Jerusalem Judah Leaders Officers Officials Parts Passed Passing Pieces Priests Princes Rulers Servants Unsexed WalkedJeremiah 34 1. Jeremiah prophesies the captivity of Zedekiah and the city.8. The princes and the people having dismissed their bond-servants, 11. contrary to the covenant of God, re-assume them. 12. Jeremiah gives them and Zedekiah into the hands of their enemies. The officials of Judah and Jerusalem This phrase refers to the leaders and governing authorities in both the southern kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. Historically, these officials were responsible for maintaining the covenant relationship with God and leading the people in adherence to the Law. Their failure to uphold justice and righteousness often led to national judgment. This context is crucial as it highlights the accountability of leaders in God's covenant community. the court officials the priests and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf Persons / Places / Events 1. Officials of Judah and JerusalemThese are the leaders and authorities in the southern kingdom of Judah, including those in the capital city, Jerusalem. They held significant political and social influence. 2. Court Officials These individuals served in the royal court, advising the king and managing the affairs of the kingdom. They were responsible for implementing the king's decrees and maintaining order. 3. Priests The religious leaders responsible for conducting temple rituals and teaching the Law of Moses. They played a crucial role in the spiritual life of the nation. 4. All the People of the Land This phrase refers to the general population of Judah, encompassing all social classes and groups. 5. The Pieces of the Calf This refers to a covenant ritual where a calf was cut in half, and the parties involved would walk between the pieces, symbolizing their commitment to the covenant. This act signified that if they broke the covenant, they would face a fate similar to the divided calf. Teaching Points The Seriousness of CovenantsCovenants in the Bible are solemn agreements that involve deep commitment and accountability. Breaking a covenant is not taken lightly and often results in severe consequences. Leadership Accountability Leaders, both political and religious, are held to high standards. Their actions can lead a nation towards blessing or judgment. This calls for integrity and faithfulness in leadership roles. Community Responsibility The involvement of "all the people of the land" indicates that everyone, not just leaders, is responsible for upholding the covenant. This teaches the importance of communal faithfulness and accountability. Symbolism of the Calf The act of passing between the pieces of the calf symbolizes the binding nature of the covenant. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and the need for sincere commitment to God. Reflection on Personal Covenants Consider the covenants or commitments you have made in your life, whether to God, family, or community. Reflect on your faithfulness to these commitments and seek God's guidance in areas where you may need to improve. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 34:19?2. How does Jeremiah 34:19 illustrate the consequences of breaking covenants with God? 3. What role do leaders play in covenant faithfulness according to Jeremiah 34:19? 4. How can Jeremiah 34:19 guide us in honoring commitments today? 5. Connect Jeremiah 34:19 with other biblical teachings on covenant faithfulness. 6. How can we ensure our promises align with God's will, as seen in Jeremiah 34:19? 7. What is the historical context of Jeremiah 34:19? 8. How does Jeremiah 34:19 reflect God's judgment on broken covenants? 9. What does Jeremiah 34:19 reveal about the consequences of disobedience? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 34? 11. Jeremiah 34:7 - Where is the archeological evidence that Nebuchadnezzar besieged both Jerusalem and Lachish simultaneously as stated? 12. Jeremiah 34:18-20 - If ancient covenant rituals had such dire consequences, why is there little to no concrete historical record of this specific covenant's breach and punishment? 13. Jeremiah 34:8-11 - Why would the Israelites release their slaves, then immediately re-enslave them, if this event was truly a binding covenant? 14. (2 Chronicles 34:22-28) Why would King Josiah consult the prophetess Huldah instead of better-known prophets like Jeremiah, if both were contemporaries? What Does Jeremiah 34:19 Mean The officials of Judah and Jerusalem– These civil leaders had sworn publicly to obey the covenant to release their Hebrew servants, yet they reneged (Jeremiah 34:8–11). – Their decision carried national weight; when leaders sin, the whole land feels the sting (2 Samuel 24:10–15; Jeremiah 22:2–5). – God singles them out first because “to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Like their forefather Zedekiah, they would soon face Babylon’s siege and exile (2 Kings 24:12–17). The court officials – These palace servants and military officers enforced royal policy (Jeremiah 29:2; 37:15). – They walked between the calf pieces, pledging their authority to keep the covenant, but then used that same authority to reverse it. – Their failure echoes Saul’s rash oath in 1 Samuel 14:24–44—another instance where leadership turned a vow into a curse. The priests – As guardians of God’s law (Malachi 2:7), priests should have reminded the nation of Exodus 21:2 and Deuteronomy 15:12 on freeing slaves. – Instead they went along with breaking the covenant, repeating the pattern of priests who “did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’” (Jeremiah 2:8). – By violating both civil and ceremonial duty, they invited the judgment once warned in Leviticus 26:14–33. All the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf – The phrase points to a solemn ceremony: a calf was cut in two, and the participants walked between the halves, symbolizing, “May this happen to us if we break our word” (compare Genesis 15:10, 17). – Everyone—from the highest to the lowest—had agreed (Jeremiah 34:10; Deuteronomy 29:10–12). Their collective breach meant collective consequences: sword, famine, and pestilence (Jeremiah 34:17). – God’s response in verses 20–22 mirrors the fate of the calf: they would be “handed over to their enemies,” their bodies exposed “as food for the birds of the air” (cf. 1 Samuel 17:44; Revelation 19:17–18). summary Jeremiah 34:19 lists every stratum of Judahite society to show that no one was innocent. Leaders, clergy, and commoners alike had invoked a self-maledictory oath, then broken it. The verse underlines a timeless truth: God takes promises seriously, especially when they are sealed before Him. What they did to the calf, God would do to them—an unflinching reminder that covenant faithfulness is not optional but essential for every believer. (19) The eunuchs.--See Note on Jeremiah 29:2. They were for the most part, if not always, of alien birth (comp. Isaiah 56:3), as in the case of Ebed-melech (Jeremiah 38:7), who had become proselytes on entering the king's service. The prominence given to them indicates that in Judah as in Assyria, and we may add, in all Oriental monarchies, they held high position in the king's court, and had probably, like the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, enriched themselves by lending money to the poorer Israelites, and then bringing them into bondage. It is significant that here they take precedence of the priests, as in Jeremiah 29:2 of the princes.Hebrew The officialsשָׂרֵ֨י (śā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince of Judah יְהוּדָ֜ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites and Jerusalem, יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel the court officials, הַסָּֽרִסִים֙ (has·sā·ri·sîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5631: A eunuch, valet, a minister of state the priests, וְהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (wə·hak·kō·hă·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest and all וְכֹ֖ל (wə·ḵōl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the people עַ֣ם (‘am) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock of the land הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land who passed הָעֹ֣בְרִ֔ים (hā·‘ō·ḇə·rîm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on between בֵּ֖ין (bên) Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between the pieces בִּתְרֵ֥י (biṯ·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1335: A part, piece of the calf, הָעֵֽגֶל׃ (hā·‘ê·ḡel) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5695: A, calf, one nearly grown Links Jeremiah 34:19 NIVJeremiah 34:19 NLT Jeremiah 34:19 ESV Jeremiah 34:19 NASB Jeremiah 34:19 KJV Jeremiah 34:19 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 34:19 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 34:19 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 34:19 French Bible Jeremiah 34:19 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 34:19 The princes of Judah and the princes (Jer.) |
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