Jeremiah 34:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God recalls the original covenant made at the Exodus.
The Context of Jeremiah 34:13
God grounds the covenant requirement in the original Exodus covenant.
What Does Jeremiah 34:13 Mean?
God appeals to history: the covenant about freeing servants traces back to the Exodus itself. When God brought Israel out of bondage in Egypt, he established the principle that freedom, not slavery, is the covenant norm. The very foundation of Israel's identity is liberation from servitude.
This historical reference magnifies the people's offense. They who were freed from the 'house of bondmen' in Egypt now enslave their own kin. The irony is profound: those who experienced God's redemption from slavery now re-enslave. Their violation of the covenant betrays their own founding story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 34:13
What does Jeremiah 34:13 mean?
God recalls the original covenant made at the Exodus.
What is the context of Jeremiah 34:13?
God grounds the covenant requirement in the original Exodus covenant.