Jeremiah 34:15-16
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The verse highlights that their "right" actions were specifically in "proclaiming liberty"—a direct response to a prior covenant and law. This wasn't just general goodness, but a specific, mandated act of justice that God acknowledges, even as it precedes their subsequent betrayal.
You recently repented and did what was right in my eyes by proclaiming liberty, each to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name, but then you turned around and profaned my name when each of you took back his male and female slaves, whom you had set free according to their desire, and you brought them into subjection to be your slaves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem made a public covenant, in God's house, to proclaim liberty for their enslaved Hebrew neighbors, a move that briefly seemed like righteous repentance. However, this act of proclaimed freedom was soon undone as they forcibly returned these freed individuals to servitude, thereby breaking their solemn vow and profaning God's name.
They turned and did right in God's eyes, even proclaiming liberty. But they did it with a solemn oath, made in a very specific place.
A Sacred Space for a Serious Promise
Jeremiah highlights that this act of proclaiming liberty wasn't just a casual agreement. It was a "covenant made before me in the house that is called by my name." This points to the Temple in Jerusalem, a place set apart for worship and God's presence.
Making a covenant there meant their promise to free the servants was not just between themselves, but a solemn oath before God. It was a public declaration of their commitment, witnessed by the very symbol of God's dwelling among His people.
This underscores how deeply they understood (or at least acknowledged) the spiritual significance of their actions. Their sin wasn't just a broken promise; it was a violation of a sacred vow made in God's house.
They 'did what was right in my sight.' Sounds good, right? But there's a twist that reveals a deeper problem.
A Fleeting Moment of Obedience
The verse notes that they "were now turned, and had done right in my sight." This acknowledges a positive step – a moment where they seemed to align with God's will by proclaiming liberty.
However, the context given by Jeremiah (and the commentaries) reveals this 'right doing' was temporary and lacked sincerity. They obeyed a specific command out of fear or obligation, not from a transformed heart. As Calvin points out, it was a "bad faith" action, soon followed by forcing the servants back into bondage.
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This teaches us that outward actions, even those that appear righteous, are not enough if the heart isn't truly changed. God looks beyond the act to the intention and the lasting commitment. A brief, forced compliance isn't the same as genuine repentance.
Understand the original words
šûb · Hebrew Verb
To turn back from sin and return to God. It involves a fundamental change of heart, mind, and behavior characterized by regret for past actions and a decision to walk in obedience to God’s commands.
derôr · Hebrew Noun
The state of being released from bondage or oppression. In a biblical context, it refers to God's act of setting His people free from captivity, reflecting His desire for justice, holiness, and the restoration of dignity among His people.
chalal · Hebrew Verb
To treat something holy or sacred with contempt or disregard, making it common or secular. Profaning God’s name involves acting in a way that misrepresents His character or breaks commitments made in His name.
nephesh · Hebrew Noun
A general term for an individual’s personal volition, appetite, or purpose. In this context, it refers to the slaves' personal freedom and choice to remain at liberty.
kabash · Hebrew Verb
To yield to authority, often through force or compulsion. It suggests bringing someone under the control or dominance of another.
This verse highlights a critical moment during Jerusalem's final siege. The people's proclaimed liberty for slaves, made in the Temple, was a good act in God's eyes, but it was tragically short-lived, leading to severe judgment.
c. 628 BC
Josiah's Reforms and Covenant Renewal
King Josiah leads a religious reformation in Judah and renews the covenant with God in Jerusalem, emphasizing obedience to God's law.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting Judean nobility and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, after a rebellion.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon, marking the end of the Kingdom of Judah.
c. 588-587 BC— this verse
Zedekiah's Covenant for Liberty
Facing the Babylonian siege, King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem make a public covenant to free their Hebrew slaves, an act of obedience to the Law. This verse reflects on that specific, though ultimately broken, covenant.
This passage lays out the original law regarding Hebrew servants serving for six years and then being freed, providing the context for the covenant Jeremiah's people were trying to uphold.
Deuteronomy 15:12-14This reiterates the command to grant freedom to Hebrew servants after six years, emphasizing that they should be sent out with provisions, highlighting the people's duty that they had neglected and then broken.
Nehemiah 5:12-13This shows a later instance where the people made a solemn covenant in the temple to restore property and release debtors, paralleling Jeremiah's account of a covenant made in God's house, and also the subsequent failure to keep it.
Luke 12:47-48Jesus speaks of the servant who knows his master's will but does not act on it receiving a harsher punishment, which resonates with the people of Judah who knew God's law about liberty but chose not to obey, thus facing severe judgment.
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 34:15: "And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:"
Ye were now turned; that is, reformed in this particular, in which you had done the thing which I commanded you, proclaiming a liberty to your servants. And you made a covenant in my presence to that purpose, and that in the temple , where it seemeth this covenant was made.
The verse highlights that their "right" actions were specifically in "proclaiming liberty"—a direct response to a prior covenant and law. This wasn't just general goodness, but a specific, mandated act of justice that God acknowledges, even as it precedes their subsequent betrayal.
King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem made a public covenant, in God's house, to proclaim liberty for their enslaved Hebrew neighbors, a move that briefly seemed like righteous repentance. However, this act of proclaimed freedom was soon undone as they forcibly returned these freed individuals to servitude, thereby breaking their solemn vow and profaning God's name.
King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem made a public covenant, in God's house, to proclaim liberty for their enslaved Hebrew neighbors, a move that briefly seemed like righteous repentance. However, this act of proclaimed freedom was soon undone as they forcibly returned these freed individuals to servitude, thereby breaking their solemn vow and profaning God's name.
"You recently repented and did what was right in my eyes by proclaiming liberty, each to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name, but then you turned around and profaned my name when each of yo…" — The verse highlights that their "right" actions were specifically in "proclaiming liberty"—a direct response to a prior covenant and law. This wasn't just general goodness, but a specific, mandated a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
