What does Jeremiah 34:11 mean?

"But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids." - Jeremiah 34:11

"But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids." - Jeremiah 34:11

Jeremiah 34:11 in the King James Version (KJV) reads, "But afterward they turned and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids."

This verse comes in the midst of a passage in which the prophet Jeremiah is confronting the people of Judah for breaking a covenant they had made with God to free their Hebrew slaves after a period of servitude. Instead of honoring their agreement, the people had gone back on their word and re-enslaved those they had released. This act of betrayal and oppression is depicted as a clear violation of God's will and a sign of the people's disobedience.

The themes present in this verse include the importance of faithfulness to one's word, the consequences of disobedience, and the moral obligation to treat others with dignity and respect. The context of this passage is important to understand the gravity of the people's actions and the message that Jeremiah is delivering on behalf of God.

During the time of Jeremiah, the kingdom of Judah was facing political instability and the threat of invasion from other nations. The people had turned away from God and had become corrupt, engaging in idolatry and mistreating one another. In response, God had sent prophets like Jeremiah to warn the people of the impending judgment and to call them to repentance.

The specific context surrounding the verse in question is the people's failure to uphold their covenant with God to release their Hebrew slaves. The Law of Moses had provided guidelines for the treatment of slaves, including the command to release them after a set period of service. By re-enslaving those they had set free, the people of Judah were not only disregarding their agreement with God but also perpetuating injustice and cruelty towards their fellow Israelites.

The symbolism in this verse is twofold. First, it symbolizes the broken trust between the people and God. By reneging on their promise to release their slaves, the people were demonstrating a lack of faithfulness and honor, which mirrored their broader spiritual unfaithfulness. Second, the re-enslavement of the servants and handmaids symbolizes the oppression and mistreatment that was rampant in Judah at that time. It serves as a powerful indictment of the people's moral corruption and their failure to live according to the principles of justice and compassion that God had set forth.

In a broader theological sense, this verse speaks to the universal principles of justice, mercy, and righteousness. It communicates the importance of keeping one's word, of treating others with dignity and fairness, and of honoring the covenantal relationship between God and humanity. It also serves as a warning against the consequences of disobedience and the importance of repentance and reconciliation.

Overall, Jeremiah 34:11 in the King James Version carries a powerful message about the moral and spiritual responsibilities that come with being in covenant relationship with God. It condemns the people of Judah for their unjust and unfaithful actions and calls them to account for their disobedience. It also serves as a reminder to readers today of the enduring importance of upholding justice, mercy, and integrity in our relationships with both God and our fellow human beings.

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Jeremiah 34:11 Artwork

Jeremiah 34:11 - "But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids."

Jeremiah 34:11 - "But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids."

"But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids." - Jeremiah 34:11

"But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids." - Jeremiah 34:11

Jeremiah 34:12 - "¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"

Jeremiah 34:12 - "¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"

Jeremiah 34:6 - "Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,"

Jeremiah 34:6 - "Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,"

Nehemiah 12:34 - "Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,"

Nehemiah 12:34 - "Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,"

Jeremiah 49:34 - "¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,"

Jeremiah 49:34 - "¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,"

"¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying," - Jeremiah 34:12

"¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying," - Jeremiah 34:12

Jeremiah 32:34 - "But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it."

Jeremiah 32:34 - "But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it."

Nehemiah 11:34 - "Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,"

Nehemiah 11:34 - "Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,"

"Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah," - Nehemiah 12:34

"Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah," - Nehemiah 12:34

Jeremiah 34:8 - "¶ This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;"

Jeremiah 34:8 - "¶ This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;"

"Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem," - Jeremiah 34:6

"Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem," - Jeremiah 34:6

"Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat," - Nehemiah 11:34

"Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat," - Nehemiah 11:34

Jeremiah 11:1 - "The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"

Jeremiah 11:1 - "The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"

Jeremiah 23:34 - "And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house."

Jeremiah 23:34 - "And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house."

1 Chronicles 11:34 - "The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,"

1 Chronicles 11:34 - "The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,"

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 34:19 - "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;"

Jeremiah 34:19 - "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;"

Jeremiah 2:34 - "Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these."

Jeremiah 2:34 - "Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these."

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Numbers 11:34 - "And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted."

Numbers 11:34 - "And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted."

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11

Images that depicts the verse Matthew 27:11-34

Images that depicts the verse Matthew 27:11-34

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11

Romans 11:34 - "For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?"

Romans 11:34 - "For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?"

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 34:4 - "Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:"

Jeremiah 34:4 - "Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:"