Jeremiah 34:15
New International Version
Recently you repented and did what is right in my sight: Each of you proclaimed freedom to your own people. You even made a covenant before me in the house that bears my Name.

New Living Translation
Recently you repented and did what was right, following my command. You freed your slaves and made a solemn covenant with me in the Temple that bears my name.

English Standard Version
You recently repented and did what was right in my eyes by proclaiming liberty, each to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name,

Berean Standard Bible
Recently you repented and did what pleased Me; each of you proclaimed freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before Me in the house that bears My Name.

King James Bible
And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:

New King James Version
Then you recently turned and did what was right in My sight—every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name.

New American Standard Bible
Although recently you had turned and done what is right in My sight, each one proclaiming release to his neighbor, and you had made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name.

NASB 1995
“Although recently you had turned and done what is right in My sight, each man proclaiming release to his neighbor, and you had made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name.

NASB 1977
“Although recently you had turned and done what is right in My sight, each man proclaiming release to his neighbor, and you had made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name.

Legacy Standard Bible
Although recently you had turned and done what is right in My sight, each man proclaiming release to his neighbor, and you had cut a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name.

Amplified Bible
So then you recently turned and repented, doing what was right in My sight, each man proclaiming release [from servitude] to his countryman [who was his bond servant]; and you had made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My Name.

Christian Standard Bible
Today you repented and did what pleased me, each of you proclaiming freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before me at the house that bears my name.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Today you repented and did what pleased Me, each of you proclaiming freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before Me at the temple called by My name.

American Standard Version
And ye were now turned, and had done that which is right in mine eyes, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbor; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:

English Revised Version
And ye were now turned, and had done that which is right in mine eyes, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Recently, you changed and did what I consider right. You agreed to free your neighbors, and you made a promise in my presence, in the temple that is called by my name.

Good News Translation
Just a few days ago you changed your minds and did what pleased me. All of you agreed to set all Israelites free, and you made a covenant in my presence, in the Temple where I am worshiped.

International Standard Version
You recently repented and did what was right in my eyes by proclaiming release for one another, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name.

Majority Standard Bible
Recently you repented and did what pleased Me; each of you proclaimed freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before Me in the house that bears My Name.

NET Bible
Recently, however, you yourselves showed a change of heart and did what is pleasing to me. You granted your fellow countrymen their freedom and you made a covenant to that effect in my presence in the house that I have claimed for my own.

New Heart English Bible
You had now turned, and had done that which is right in my eyes, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbor; and you had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:

Webster's Bible Translation
And ye had now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbor; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:

World English Bible
You had now turned, and had done that which is right in my eyes, in every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor. You had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And today you turn back and you do that which is right in My eyes, to each proclaim liberty to his neighbor, and you make a covenant before Me in the house over which My Name is called.

Young's Literal Translation
'And ye turn back, ye to-day, and ye do that which is right in Mine eyes, to proclaim liberty each to his neighbour, and ye make a covenant before Me in the house over which My name is called.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye will turn back today and do the straight in mine eyes, to call liberty a man to his neighbor; and ye will cut out a covenant before me in the house which my name was called upon it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you turned to day, and did that which was right in my eyes, in proclaiming liberty every one to his brother: and you made a covenant in my sight, in the house upon which my name is invocated.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And today you converted, and you did what is right in my eyes, so that you proclaimed liberty, each one to his friend. And you entered into a pact in my sight, in the house in which and over which my name is invoked.

New American Bible
As for you, today you repented and did what is right in my eyes by proclaiming freedom for your neighbor and making a covenant before me in the house which bears my name.

New Revised Standard Version
You yourselves recently repented and did what was right in my sight by proclaiming liberty to one another, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you now had turned, and had done that which is right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbor, and you had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you have turned today and you did a thing that is beautiful in my eyes to call, each man, for freedom for his neighbor, and you covenanted a covenant before me in the house upon which my name is called
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And ye were now turned, and had done that which is right in Mine eyes, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before Me in the house whereon My name is called;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And this day they turned to do that which was right in my sight, to proclaim every one the release of his neighbour; and they had concluded a covenant before me, in the house whereon my name is called.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Freedom for Hebrew Slaves
14Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear. 15Recently you repented and did what pleased Me; each of you proclaimed freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before Me in the house that bears My Name. 16But now you have changed your minds and profaned My name. Each of you has taken back the menservants and maidservants whom you had set at liberty to go wherever they wanted, and you have again forced them to be your slaves.…

Cross References
Exodus 21:2-6
If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. / If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. / If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free. ...

Deuteronomy 15:12-15
If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. ...

Leviticus 25:39-46
If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. ...

Nehemiah 5:8-13
and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. / So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies? / I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending the people money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury. ...

Isaiah 58:6
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?

Ezekiel 18:7-9
He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. / He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men. / He follows My statutes and faithfully keeps My ordinances. That man is righteous; surely he will live, declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 34:4
You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! / Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ...

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 17:3-4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

John 8:31-36
So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. / Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” / “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” ...

Acts 7:51-53
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”

Romans 6:16-18
Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? / But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. / You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

1 Corinthians 7:21-23
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. / For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. / You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.


Treasury of Scripture

And you were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbor; and you had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:

ye.

1 Kings 21:27-29
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly…

2 Kings 10:30,31
And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel…

2 Kings 12:2
And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

now.

Jeremiah 34:10,11
Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go…

ye had.

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;

2 Kings 23:3
And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

Nehemiah 10:29
They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

which is called by my name.

Jeremiah 7:10,11
And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? …

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Although Bears Countrymen Covenant Evil Eyes Freedom House Liberty Mine Neighbor Neighbour Proclaimed Proclaiming Public Recently Release Right Sight Turn Turned Turning Undertaking Whereon
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Although Bears Countrymen Covenant Evil Eyes Freedom House Liberty Mine Neighbor Neighbour Proclaimed Proclaiming Public Recently Release Right Sight Turn Turned Turning Undertaking Whereon
Jeremiah 34
1. Jeremiah prophesies the captivity of Zedekiah and the city.
8. The princes and the people having dismissed their bond-servants,
11. contrary to the covenant of God, re-assume them.
12. Jeremiah gives them and Zedekiah into the hands of their enemies.














Recently you repented and did what pleased Me;
This phrase highlights a moment of genuine repentance among the people of Judah. Repentance is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing a turning away from sin and returning to God. In the context of Jeremiah, the people had been living in disobedience, and this act of repentance was a temporary return to God's commands. The concept of doing what pleases God is rooted in obedience to His laws and commands, as seen throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the covenantal relationship established at Sinai (Exodus 19-24). This momentary repentance reflects the cyclical nature of Israel's faithfulness and unfaithfulness, a pattern seen throughout the books of Judges and Kings.

each of you proclaimed freedom for his neighbor.
This refers to the specific act of releasing Hebrew slaves, which was commanded in the Law of Moses (Exodus 21:2-6; Deuteronomy 15:12-18). The proclamation of freedom was a significant act of obedience to God's law, reflecting His desire for justice and mercy. This act is reminiscent of the Year of Jubilee, a time when debts were forgiven, and slaves were freed (Leviticus 25). The cultural and historical context shows that this was a radical step, as slavery was a common practice in the ancient Near East. The act of proclaiming freedom is also a foreshadowing of the ultimate freedom found in Christ, who liberates believers from the bondage of sin (Luke 4:18-19).

You made a covenant before Me
Covenants are central to the biblical narrative, representing solemn agreements between God and His people. This covenant-making act in the temple signifies a formal and serious commitment to follow God's commands. The temple, as the dwelling place of God's presence, was the appropriate setting for such a significant spiritual act. This echoes earlier covenants, such as those with Abraham (Genesis 15) and Moses (Exodus 24), and points forward to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:20). The making of a covenant before God underscores the seriousness of their commitment and the expectation of faithfulness.

in the house that bears My Name.
The "house that bears My Name" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was the center of Jewish worship and the symbol of God's presence among His people. The temple was built by Solomon and was considered the dwelling place of God on earth (1 Kings 8:10-11). This phrase emphasizes the sacredness of the covenant made there, as the temple was not just a physical structure but a representation of God's covenantal relationship with Israel. The temple's significance is further highlighted in the New Testament, where Jesus refers to His body as the temple (John 2:19-21), indicating the shift from a physical building to a spiritual reality in Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
The prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah, including the call to repentance and the proclamation of freedom.

2. The People of Judah
The recipients of Jeremiah's message, who initially repented and made a covenant to release their Hebrew slaves.

3. The House that Bears My Name
Refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, where the covenant was made, symbolizing a place of worship and commitment to God.

4. Covenant
A solemn agreement made before God, in this context, to release Hebrew slaves as an act of obedience and repentance.

5. Freedom Proclaimed
The act of releasing Hebrew slaves, which was a requirement of the Mosaic Law, reflecting a return to obedience and justice.
Teaching Points
Repentance and Obedience
True repentance involves a change of heart and actions that align with God's commands. The people of Judah initially demonstrated this by releasing their slaves.

The Importance of Covenants
Making a covenant before God is a serious commitment that requires faithfulness. The people of Judah's failure to uphold their covenant serves as a warning.

Justice and Mercy
God's laws emphasize justice and mercy, as seen in the requirement to release Hebrew slaves. Christians are called to reflect these attributes in their lives.

Worship and Commitment
The covenant was made in the Temple, highlighting the connection between worship and ethical living. Our worship should lead to actions that honor God.

The Danger of Relapse
The people of Judah's return to enslaving their brethren after initially repenting serves as a caution against falling back into old sins.(15) Ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name.--The words point to the solemnity with which the new engagements had been contracted. It was not merely that the king had issued an edict, or that judges had given their decisions in accordance with the old law, but princes and people had met together in the courts of the Temple, and there, in the presence of Jehovah, had entered into this covenant, as did their descendants afterwards in the days of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:12-13), with Him and with each other. Their sin in breaking their covenant was therefore a sin against Him as well as against their brethren.

Verse 15. - Ye were now turned; or, ye returned (the primary meaning is simply "to turn;" hence

(1) to turn away, as in ver. 16;

(2) to return, as here; comp. (Jeremiah 8:4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In this day
הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

you
אַתֶּ֜ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

repented
וַתָּשֻׁ֨בוּ (wat·tā·šu·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

and did
וַתַּעֲשׂ֤וּ (wat·ta·‘ă·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

what pleased
הַיָּשָׁר֙ (hay·yā·šār)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

Me;
בְּעֵינַ֔י (bə·‘ê·nay)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

each
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of you proclaimed
לִקְרֹ֥א (liq·rō)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

liberty
דְר֖וֹר (ḏə·rō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1865: Freedom, spontaneity of outflow, clear

for his neighbor.
לְרֵעֵ֑הוּ (lə·rê·‘ê·hū)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

You made
וַתִּכְרְת֤וּ (wat·tiḵ·rə·ṯū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

a covenant
בְרִית֙ (ḇə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

before Me
לְפָנַ֔י (lə·p̄ā·nay)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

in the house
בַּבַּ֕יִת (bab·ba·yiṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

that
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

bears
נִקְרָ֥א (niq·rā)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

My name.
שְׁמִ֖י (šə·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 34:15 You were now turned and had done (Jer.)
Jeremiah 34:14
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