What does Jeremiah 34:20 mean?
“I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.” — Jeremiah 34:20
Jeremiah 34:20 (KJV) says, "I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth."
This verse is part of a prophecy given by the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah. Contextually, the verse is part of a larger passage in which Jeremiah delivers a message from the Lord to King Zedekiah, warning him of the impending doom that would come upon the city of Jerusalem if the people did not obey God's commandments and release their Hebrew slaves according to the law of Moses.
The theme of this verse is the consequences of disobedience to God's word. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly warned the Israelites that they would face dire consequences, including being delivered into the hands of their enemies, if they did not obey His commands. In this particular instance, the people of Judah had made a covenant to release their Hebrew slaves after a certain period of servitude, but they had not kept their promise. As a result, God would deliver them into the hands of their enemies, and their dead bodies would be left as food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.
The symbolism in this verse is powerful and serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of disobedience. The image of dead bodies being left for the birds and beasts to devour is a stark and terrifying portrayal of the judgment that would come upon the people of Judah if they did not repent and turn back to God. This image serves as a powerful warning to anyone who would forsake God's commandments and live in disobedience.
From a broader theological perspective, this verse also serves as a reminder of God's justice and righteousness. Throughout the scriptures, we see that God is a just and holy God who cannot tolerate sin and disobedience. His judgment is a reflection of His righteous nature, and it is always executed with fairness and equity.
In terms of application to our lives today, this verse serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience to God's word. Just as the people of Judah faced severe consequences for their disobedience, we too will face the consequences of our actions if we choose to live in defiance of God's commands. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and consider whether we are living in obedience to God or if we are living in rebellion.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 34:20 is a powerful and sobering verse that serves as a warning to the people of Judah and to us today. It reminds us of the consequences of disobedience to God's word and the importance of living in obedience to His commands. It also serves as a powerful symbol of God's justice and righteousness, and it challenges us to examine our own lives and consider whether we are living in obedience to God or in rebellion.
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Artwork for Jeremiah 34:20
"I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth." - Jeremiah 34:20
Jeremiah 34:12 - "¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"
Jeremiah 34:6 - "Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,"
Nehemiah 12:34 - "Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,"
Matthew 20:29-34
Jeremiah 49:34 - "¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,"
Lucas 20:34-35
Numbers 34:20 - "And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud."
Jeremiah 32:34 - "But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it."
"¶ Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying," - Jeremiah 34:12
"Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah," - Nehemiah 12:34
Psalms 34:20 - "He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken."
Jeremiah 34:8 - "¶ 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;"
Jeremiah 20:4
"Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem," - Jeremiah 34:6
Luke 20:34 - "And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:"
Jeremiah 23:34 - "And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house."
Genesis 34:20 - "¶ And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,"
Jeremiah 34:19 - "The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf;"
Jeremiah 2:34 - "Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these."
Acts 20:34 - "Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me."
Matthew 20:34 - "So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him."
"And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud." - Numbers 34:20
Jeremiah 34:11 - "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."
Jeremiah 20:2 - "Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD."
Jeremiah 20:3 - "And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor-missabib."
Jeremiah 34:4 - "Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:"
Jeremiah 20:1 - "Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things."
Jeremiah 44:20 - "¶ Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying,"
Jeremiah 34:1 - "The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof, saying,"