Jeremiah 34:18
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
God’s judgment here isn't arbitrary; it's a chilling echo of their own solemn oath. By passing between the divided calf, they invoked a curse upon themselves to be cut apart if they broke their promise, a ritual meant to imprint the gravity of their commitment deeply.
And the men who transgressed my covenant and did not keep the terms of the covenant that they made before me, I will make them like the calf that they cut in two and passed between its parts—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem had made a solemn covenant to free their Hebrew slaves, a promise sealed in God's presence and likely through an ancient ritual involving a sacrificed animal. Now, Jeremiah is denouncing them because they immediately broke this sacred oath, going back on their word and re-enslaving those they had just set free. This verse pronounces God's judgment, likening them to the calf they cut in two, signifying that they will be torn apart for violating their covenant.
Imagine making a promise so serious, you’d wish death upon yourself if you broke it. That’s the gravity behind the ancient practice described here.
The people of Judah and Jerusalem had made a covenant to free their enslaved people. To seal this promise, they performed a solemn ritual: cutting a calf in two and passing between the pieces. This wasn't just a formality; it was a powerful, symbolic imprecation.
The Symbolism of the Severed Calf
They called down a curse upon themselves if they broke their word. God’s response? He ensures their curse comes true.
Jeremiah 34 reveals a stark and terrifying aspect of God's justice: He takes human vows and curses seriously. The people of Judah swore to release their slaves, a promise confirmed by the calf-cutting ritual.
Ask a follow-up
The Consequence of Treachery
Understand the original words
berith · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement between two parties, often involving specific stipulations and consequences. In Scripture, covenants are initiated by God and require faithful adherence from His people.
abar · Hebrew Verb
To break, violate, or pass over a boundary set by law or agreement. It implies an active rebellion against or neglect of God’s established standards.
This verse vividly illustrates the gravity of broken promises by referencing an ancient covenant-making ritual where parties passed between the pieces of a sacrificed animal, symbolizing a curse upon themselves if they violated their oath.
c. 1400 BC
Abrahamic Covenant Ceremony
God makes a covenant with Abraham, using a ritual involving cut animal parts, a precursor to later covenant-making ceremonies.
c. 8th Century BC
Assyrian and Babylonian Expansion
Major Near Eastern empires begin to exert significant political and military pressure on the region, impacting Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Jerusalem and deports a portion of the population, including members of the royal family and educated elite.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a revolt, Jerusalem is besieged again, and more citizens, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, are exiled to Babylon.
588-586 BC— this verse
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem for an extended period, ultimately leading to the city's destruction and the final, large-scale deportation of the remaining population.
c. 587 BC
Jeremiah's Rebuke and Warning
The prophet Jeremiah confronts the leaders and people of Jerusalem for their broken covenant regarding the emancipation of slaves, warning them of impending judgment.
This passage describes an early instance of a covenant ceremony involving cutting animals in two, which provides the background for the practice Jeremiah refers to. It shows God himself enacting this ritual as a sign of His covenant promises.
Matthew 24:51Jesus directly alludes to this practice in His Olivet Discourse, describing the fate of the unfaithful servant as being 'cut in two.' This highlights the severe judgment awaiting those who break covenant promises.
1 Samuel 11:7This passage shows a similar imprecatory practice where an ox is cut in pieces and sent throughout Israel to warn against joining Saul and Jonathan. It demonstrates the gravity with which covenants and their violation were treated.
Psalm 15:1-5This psalm describes the character of the one who may dwell in God's holy hill, emphasizing integrity, faithfulness, and keeping promises even when it's costly. It contrasts sharply with the perfidy described in Jeremiah 34.
barnesJeremiah 34:18: "And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,"
The words ... - The Jews spoke of "cutting" a covenant, because the contracting parties cut a calf in twain and passed between the pieces. Thus cutting a covenant and cutting a calf in twain, meant the same thing.
calvinJeremiah 34:18-19: "And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,"
And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the part thereof,
Et dabo viros qui transgressi sunt foedus me…
God’s judgment here isn't arbitrary; it's a chilling echo of their own solemn oath. By passing between the divided calf, they invoked a curse upon themselves to be cut apart if they broke their promise, a ritual meant to imprint the gravity of their commitment deeply.
Just before this, King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem had made a solemn covenant to free their Hebrew slaves, a promise sealed in God's presence and likely through an ancient ritual involving a sacrificed animal. Now, Jeremiah is denouncing them because they immediately broke this sacred oath, going back on their word and re-enslaving those they had just set free. This verse pronounces God's judgment, likening them to the calf they cut in two, signifying that they will be torn apart for violating their covenant.
Just before this, King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem had made a solemn covenant to free their Hebrew slaves, a promise sealed in God's presence and likely through an ancient ritual involving a sacrificed animal. Now, Jeremiah is denouncing them because they immediately broke this sacred oath, going back on their word and re-enslaving those they had just set free. This verse pronounces God's judgment, likening them to the calf they cut in two, signifying that they will be torn apart for violating their covenant.
"And the men who transgressed my covenant and did not keep the terms of the covenant that they made before me, I will make them like the calf that they cut in two and passed between its parts—" — God’s judgment here isn't arbitrary; it's a chilling echo of their own solemn oath. By passing between the divided calf, they invoked a curse upon themselves to be cut apart if they broke their promi…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
