New International Version I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who want to kill them. Their dead bodies will become food for the birds and the wild animals. New Living Translation I will give you to your enemies, and they will kill you. Your bodies will be food for the vultures and wild animals. English Standard Version And I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their lives. Their dead bodies shall be food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. Berean Standard Bible I 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. Berean Literal Bible And I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those seeking their soul, and their corpses will be as meat for the birds of the heavens and for the beasts of the earth. King James Bible I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth. New King James Version I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. Their dead bodies shall be for meat for the birds of the heaven and the beasts of the earth. New American Standard Bible I will hand them over to their enemies and to those who seek their lives. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the animals of the earth. NASB 1995 I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth. NASB 1977 and I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. And their dead bodies shall be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth. Legacy Standard Bible And I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth. Amplified Bible I will give into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their lives. And [like the body of the calf] their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth. Berean Annotated Bible I 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. Christian Standard Bible all these I will hand over to their enemies, to those who intend to take their life. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land. Holman Christian Standard Bible will be handed over to their enemies, to those who want to take their life. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land. American Standard Version I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life; and their dead bodies shall be for food unto the birds of the heavens, and to the beasts of the earth. English Revised Version I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth. GOD'S WORD® Translation I will hand them over to their enemies who want to kill them, and their corpses will be food for birds and wild animals. Good News Translation I will hand them over to their enemies, who want to kill them, and their corpses will be eaten by birds and wild animals. International Standard Version I'll give them to their enemies who are seeking to kill them, and their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the animals of the land. NET Bible I will hand them over to their enemies who want to kill them. Their dead bodies will become food for the birds and the wild animals. New Heart English Bible I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their life; and their dead bodies shall be for food to the birds of the sky, and to the animals of the earth. Webster's Bible Translation I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for food to the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI 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. World English Bible I will even give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. Their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and for the animals of the earth. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionindeed, I have given them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those seeking their soul, and their carcass has been for food to the bird of the heavens, and to the beast of the earth. Berean Literal Bible And I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those seeking their soul, and their corpses will be as meat for the birds of the heavens and for the beasts of the earth. Young's Literal Translation yea, I have given them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those seeking their soul, and their carcase hath been for food to the fowl of the heavens, and to the beast of the earth. Smith's Literal Translation And I gave them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those seeking their soul; and their corpses were for food to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the earth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I will give them into the hands of their enemies, and into the hands of them that seek their life : and their dead bodies shall be for meat to the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the earth. Catholic Public Domain Version And I will give them into the hands of their enemies and into the hands of those who are seeking their life. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the air and for the beasts of the earth. New American Bible These I will hand over to their enemies, to those who seek their lives: their corpses shall become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. New Revised Standard Version shall be handed over to their enemies and to those who seek their lives. Their corpses shall become food for the birds of the air and the wild animals of the earth. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I will deliver them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their lives; and their dead bodies shall be food for the fowls of the air and for the beasts of the earth. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I shall deliver them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their souls, and their corpses shall be food for the birds of Heaven and for the beasts of the Earth OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life; and their dead bodies shall be for food unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth. Brenton Septuagint Translation I will even give them to their enemies, and their carcases shall be food for the birds of the sky and for the wild beasts of the earth. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Freedom for Hebrew Slaves…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. 21And I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives, to the army of the king of Babylon that had withdrawn from you.… Cross References I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Jeremiah 21:7 ‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’ Jeremiah 44:30 This is what the LORD says: Behold, I will deliver Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hands of his enemies who seek his life, just as I delivered Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the enemy who was seeking his life.” Jeremiah 22:25 In fact, I will hand you over to those you dread, who want to take your life—to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to the Chaldeans. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. Jeremiah 16:4 “They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie like dung on the ground. They will be finished off by sword and famine, and their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.” Jeremiah 7:33 The corpses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to scare them away. Deuteronomy 28:26 Your corpses will be food for all the birds of the air and beasts of the earth, with no one to scare them away. 1 Samuel 17:44 “Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” 1 Kings 14:11 Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.’ For the LORD has spoken. 1 Kings 16:4 Anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.” 1 Kings 21:24 Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.” 2 Kings 9:36-37 So they went back and told Jehu, who replied, “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel. / And Jezebel’s body will lie like dung in the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one can say: This is Jezebel.’” Psalm 79:2 They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. Isaiah 18:6 They will all be left to the mountain birds of prey, and to the beasts of the land. The birds will feed on them in summer, and all the wild animals in winter. Isaiah 56:9 Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest. Ezekiel 29:5 I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and will not be taken away or gathered for burial. I have given you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air. Ezekiel 32:4 I will abandon you on the land and hurl you into the open field. I will cause all the birds of the air to settle upon you, and all the beasts of the earth to eat their fill of you. Treasury of Scripture I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat to the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth. and into. Jeremiah 4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life. Jeremiah 11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand: Jeremiah 21:7 And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy. and their. Jeremiah 7:33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. Jeremiah 16:4 They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth. Jeremiah 19:7 And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth. Jump to Previous Air Animals Beast Beasts Birds Bodies Carcase Carcases Dead Designs Earth Enemies Food Fowl Fowls Hand Hands Heaven Heavens Life Meat Seek Seeking Sky SoulJump to Next Air Animals Beast Beasts Birds Bodies Carcase Carcases Dead Designs Earth Enemies Food Fowl Fowls Hand Hands Heaven Heavens Life Meat Seek Seeking Sky SoulJeremiah 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. I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. God’s judgment fell on Zedekiah and Judah after they broke their covenant to free their Hebrew servants. Though they had publicly pledged obedience, they forced the servants back into slavery. Their betrayal of God’s command brought the Babylonian army against Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar’s forces would become the instrument of judgment, capturing those who sought security while refusing to keep their word before God. Jer 21:7 ‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over…… Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. The devastation of Jerusalem would be so complete that many of the slain would remain unburied. In Israel, burial was an important mark of dignity, and exposure of the dead revealed the shame and severity of divine judgment. The fate of Judah’s leaders and people showed that covenant rebellion had brought the consequences God had warned of. Jer 16:4 They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. He is known for his perseverance in the face of opposition. 2. Zedekiah The last king of Judah, who reigned during the time of Jeremiah. His reign was marked by disobedience to God and eventual downfall. 3. Babylonians (Chaldeans) The empire that besieged Jerusalem and eventually led to the destruction of the city and the temple, fulfilling God's judgment. 4. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was under threat due to its disobedience and idolatry. 5. Covenant Breakers The people of Judah who broke their covenant with God, leading to the severe consequences described in this passage. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceGod's warnings through His prophets are serious and should not be taken lightly. Disobedience leads to severe consequences, as seen in the fate of Judah. The Sovereignty of God God is in control of nations and their destinies. His judgments are just and serve His greater purpose of righteousness. The Importance of Keeping Covenants Breaking covenants with God leads to spiritual and physical ruin. We are called to be faithful to our commitments to God and others. The Reality of Divine Judgment The imagery of bodies being left for scavengers is a stark reminder of the reality of God's judgment. It calls us to live in a way that honors God and avoids such outcomes. Hope in Repentance While this passage focuses on judgment, the broader context of Jeremiah includes calls to repentance and the promise of restoration for those who turn back to God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 34:20?2. How does Jeremiah 34:20 illustrate God's judgment on disobedience? 3. What can we learn about God's justice from Jeremiah 34:20? 4. How does Jeremiah 34:20 connect with Romans 6:23 about sin's consequences? 5. How should Jeremiah 34:20 influence our understanding of covenant faithfulness? 6. What actions can we take to avoid the fate described in Jeremiah 34:20? 7. What is the historical context of Jeremiah 34:20? 8. How does Jeremiah 34:20 reflect God's judgment? 9. What does Jeremiah 34:20 reveal about God's covenant with Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 34? (20) Their dead bodies shall be for meat . . .--As in Jeremiah 7:33; Jeremiah 16:4; Jeremiah 19:7, this takes its place as the extremest penalty of transgression. The sentence on Zedekiah and his princes--i.e., those who were more immediately connected with his policy--is as before (Jeremiah 34:5) somewhat milder, probably because he, though too weak and vacillating to stop the evil which the prophet condemned, had not been actively prominent in the transgression of the covenant, and showed more disposition, as in Jeremiah 37:17, to listen to his counsels.Verse 20. - And their dead bodies, etc. One of Jeremiah's repetitions (see Jeremiah 7:33). Jeremiah 34:20 delivers a sober, literal promise: God Himself will hand covenant-breaking leaders over to Babylon, stripping away every defense. Their defeat will be so total that even burial rites are denied, and their bodies become a feast for scavengers. The verse fulfills prior covenant warnings (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28), affirms God’s unwavering justice, and calls every reader to honor His Word, knowing He keeps every promise—whether of mercy or of judgment. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I will hand overוְנָתַתִּ֤י (wə·nā·ṯat·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set to בְּיַ֣ד (bə·yaḏ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand their enemies אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם (’ō·yə·ḇê·hem) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary who seek מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י (mə·ḇaq·šê) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after their lives. נַפְשָׁ֑ם (nap̄·šām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion Their corpses נִבְלָתָם֙ (niḇ·lā·ṯām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5038: A flabby thing, a carcase, carrion, an idol will become וְהָיְתָ֤ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be food לְמַֽאֲכָ֔ל (lə·ma·’ă·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3978: An eatable for the birds לְע֥וֹף (lə·‘ō·wp̄) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5775: Flying creatures of the air הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky and the beasts וּלְבֶהֱמַ֥ת (ū·lə·ḇe·hĕ·maṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal of the earth. הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Additonal Resources Jeremiah 34:20 Blue Letter BibleJeremiah 34:20 Bible Gateway Jeremiah 34:20 Bible.com Jeremiah 34:20 NIV |
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