Jeremiah 34:11 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people reverse the covenant, re-enslaving those they had freed.
The Context of Jeremiah 34:11
The people repudiate the covenant and return freed servants to slavery.
What Does Jeremiah 34:11 Mean?
A shocking reversal follows the initial obedience. Afterward—perhaps when the military crisis seemed to pass, or when the inconvenience of losing enslaved labor became unbearable—the people forced the freed servants back into bondage. The word 'turned' (שׁוב, shuv) implies a deliberate choice to abandon the covenant.
This reversal is not a private violation but a coordinated action affecting 'the servants and the handmaids.' The people collectively chose personal economic advantage over their oath before God. The covenant made in crisis proved ephemeral once the immediate threat seemed manageable.
Jeremiah 34:11 in the Original Language
The verb 'turned' (שׁוּב, shuv) in Hebrew can mean to repent, return, or reverse course—here emphasizing willful abandonment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 34:11
What does Jeremiah 34:11 mean?
The people reverse the covenant, re-enslaving those they had freed.
What is the context of Jeremiah 34:11?
The people repudiate the covenant and return freed servants to slavery.