Jeremiah 34:14
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The text highlights that this wasn't just a casual suggestion from God, but a binding covenant made at the Exodus itself, emphasizing Israel's freedom as a reminder that they, too, were once slaves. Therefore, their continued enslavement of fellow Hebrews wasn't simply a violation of a law, but a profound betrayal of their identity as a people redeemed by God.
‘At the end of seven years each of you must set free the fellow Hebrew who has been sold to you and has served you six years; you must set him free from your service.’ But your fathers did not listen to me or incline their ears to me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem had made a covenant to proclaim liberty for all enslaved Hebrews, a practice that had been neglected for generations. Jeremiah then reminds them of the divine law, established at their exodus from Egypt, that mandated setting such servants free after six years of service. However, despite their solemn oath and a temporary return to this law, they soon forced their freed servants back into bondage, proving their hypocrisy and disobedience.
Did you know God's law included a specific provision for freeing Hebrew servants after a set time? It wasn't a loophole, but a reminder of their unique identity.
The passage in Jeremiah refers back to a law established in Exodus and Deuteronomy concerning Hebrew servants.
A Divine Provision for Freedom
God commanded that if a Hebrew sold himself into servitude, or was sold by others due to debt or poverty, he was to be freed after six years. The freedom was to be granted at the beginning of the seventh year, not after it was completed. This ensured that servitude was always temporary for Israelites.
Why the Distinction?
This wasn't just a random rule; it was deeply tied to God's relationship with Israel. As a people redeemed by God from slavery in Egypt, their own freedom was a constant reminder of God's liberating power. Therefore, permanent servitude among themselves was contrary to their identity as a free people, chosen and delivered by God.
Jeremiah’s message wasn't new; it was a harsh reminder that their ancestors had ignored this same command. What does that tell us about God’s patience and human stubbornness?
The verse sharply contrasts the current proclamation of liberty with the historical failure of the Israelites.
A Pattern of Neglect
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Jeremiah declares, 'But your fathers did not listen to me or incline their ears to me.' This shows a long-standing pattern of disobedience. For generations, the people had neglected this fundamental aspect of God's law concerning the humane treatment and eventual freedom of their Hebrew brethren.
More Than Just Not Listening
The phrase 'did not incline their ear' suggests a willful refusal to pay attention. It wasn't accidental forgetfulness; it was a deliberate turning away from God's clear commands. This deep-seated rebellion set the stage for the consequences that would later fall upon them.
The people in Jerusalem made a covenant to free their slaves, but it was a hollow promise. What happens when our actions betray our words, especially when God is involved?
This verse is set against the backdrop of King Zedekiah’s covenant to proclaim liberty. While it seemed like a step in the right direction, the narrative reveals it was a performative act, quickly undone.
A Covenant of Convenience
After making a covenant before God in the Temple to free their servants, the people soon reneged on their promise. They 'turned' and forced the servants they had just released back into bondage. This highlights a critical truth: a covenant or promise made under duress or for show, without genuine heart change, is ultimately meaningless.
Profaning God's Name
By violating this covenant, especially within the sacred space of the Temple, they didn't just break a human agreement; they profaned God’s name. Their actions declared that God’s commands and His covenant were less important than their own greed and comfort. This hypocrisy would bring severe judgment, as God declared He would 'proclaim a liberty for you, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine.'
Understand the original words
šāmaʿ · Hebrew Verb
The act of hearing with the intent to obey or heed. In biblical usage, it implies submission and active response to God's instruction rather than mere auditory perception.
This verse highlights a pattern of disobedience to God's law regarding social justice, revealing how a king's desperate, insincere attempt at reform during a crisis only deepened the nation's sin and hastened its judgment.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, establishing a covenant with them and giving them His Law, which included provisions for Hebrew servants. This marks the origin of the law concerning the release of servants.
c. 13th-9th centuries BC
Chronic Violation of Servant Release Law
For centuries, the people of Israel and Judah repeatedly failed to uphold the law requiring the release of Hebrew servants after six years of service, as mentioned by Jeremiah referencing 'your fathers'.
c. 587-586 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
The Babylonian army, led by Nebuchadnezzar, besieges Jerusalem, bringing immense hardship and leading King Zedekiah to seek divine favor.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Zedekiah's Covenant for Freedom
In a desperate attempt to secure favor, King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem make a public covenant to release all Hebrew slaves, a temporary and insincere act of obedience.
c. 587-586 BC
Recapture of Freed Slaves
Shortly after proclaiming liberty, the people renege on their covenant, forcing the freed Hebrew servants back into bondage, thus profaning God's name and their oath.
c. 587-586 BC
Prophecy of Judgment
Jeremiah, under God's direction, pronounces judgment upon Jerusalem for their broken covenant, declaring that liberty would be proclaimed to the sword, pestilence, and famine, leading to exile.
This passage lays out the original law for Hebrew servants, establishing the seven-year term of service that Jeremiah is referencing. It shows the foundation of the covenant God made with Israel regarding their treatment of one another.
Deuteronomy 15:12This passage reiterates the law from Exodus, further emphasizing God's expectation for the Israelites to grant freedom to their Hebrew servants. It highlights the persistent disregard for this command that Jeremiah is addressing.
Nehemiah 5:1-5This passage shows a similar situation centuries later where the people were oppressing their own kin, even selling them into slavery, demonstrating a recurring pattern of injustice and disregard for God's laws regarding treatment of fellow Israelites.
Leviticus 25:39-43This passage discusses the treatment of foreign slaves and highlights the distinct laws for Hebrew and non-Hebrew servants, underscoring that the violation in Jeremiah was specifically about breaking faith with their own people, not a general prohibition of all slavery.
Luke 12:47-48This passage from the New Testament speaks to the principle that greater knowledge brings greater accountability. The Israelites, having been given God's law, were held to a higher standard, making their disobedience even more grievous, much like the servant who knows his master's will but does not do it.
calvinJeremiah 34:8-17: "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;"
Ut dimitteret quisque servum suum, et quisque ancillam suam (vir, vir, ad verbum, sed significat quisque indefinite) Hebraeum vel Hebraeum liberos, ut ne ultra servirent ipsis (vel, transitive, ut alii malunt et bene quadrat, ut non haberent cos servos) inter Judaeos vir fratrem suum.
Now…
pooleJeremiah 34:14: "At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear."
This is but a repetition of the law, Exodus 21:2 Deu 15:12 , which concerned such persons as were sold by others, or had sold themselves. God would not have his people take advantage of the sudden and rash acts of their brethren, whic…
The text highlights that this wasn't just a casual suggestion from God, but a binding covenant made at the Exodus itself, emphasizing Israel's freedom as a reminder that they, too, were once slaves. Therefore, their continued enslavement of fellow Hebrews wasn't simply a violation of a law, but a profound betrayal of their identity as a people redeemed by God.
King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem had made a covenant to proclaim liberty for all enslaved Hebrews, a practice that had been neglected for generations. Jeremiah then reminds them of the divine law, established at their exodus from Egypt, that mandated setting such servants free after six years of service. However, despite their solemn oath and a temporary return to this law, they soon forced their freed servants back into bondage, proving their hypocrisy and disobedience.
King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem had made a covenant to proclaim liberty for all enslaved Hebrews, a practice that had been neglected for generations. Jeremiah then reminds them of the divine law, established at their exodus from Egypt, that mandated setting such servants free after six years of service. However, despite their solemn oath and a temporary return to this law, they soon forced their freed servants back into bondage, proving their hypocrisy and disobedience.
"‘At the end of seven years each of you must set free the fellow Hebrew who has been sold to you and has served you six years; you must set him free from your service.’ But your fathers did not listen to me or incline their ears to me." — The text highlights that this wasn't just a casual suggestion from God, but a binding covenant made at the Exodus itself, emphasizing Israel's freedom as a reminder that they, too, were once slaves.…
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Last reviewed October 2026
