Jeremiah 34:16 Meaning and Explanation
“But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom he had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people reversed course, breaking the covenant and defiling God's name.
The Context of Jeremiah 34:16
God condemns the people's reversal, declaring they have defiled his name.
What Does Jeremiah 34:16 Mean?
The second 'turned' (שׁוב) now carries condemnation. By re-enslaving the freed, the people 'polluted' God's name—made it common, desecrated it through covenant-breaking. The casual phrase 'at their pleasure' reveals the motive: personal convenience trumped sacred obligation. Individual advantage overrode collective covenant.
The double mention of servants and handmaids emphasizes the totality of the reversal. No one was spared from re-enslavement. The freedom that had been proclaimed was systematically and comprehensively taken back. This is not a minor violation but a coordinated, intentional repudiation.
Jeremiah 34:16 in the Original Language
The verb 'polluted' (חִלַּל, challal) means to profane or desecrate, treating the holy as common.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 34:16
What does Jeremiah 34:16 mean?
The people reversed course, breaking the covenant and defiling God's name.
What is the context of Jeremiah 34:16?
God condemns the people's reversal, declaring they have defiled his name.