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,

JEREMIAH 34:1KJV
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Jeremiah 34:1 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 34:1 mean?

Jeremiah 34:1 introduces a message that God gave to the prophet Jeremiah while King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his powerful army, along with many nations under his rule, were attacking Jerusalem and its surrounding cities. This verse sets the stage for what God is about to say to Jeremiah during a time of war and crisis.

The verse describes a real historical moment: Jerusalem is under siege by Nebuchadnezzar (the Babylonian king), whose forces include not just Babylonians but also armies from other kingdoms he controls. Jeremiah, a prophet in Jerusalem, receives a word from the LORD (the God of Israel) in the midst of this dangerous situation, signaling that what follows is a direct response to these events.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 34:1

  • "word" (דָּבָר, davar): This Hebrew word means "message" or "command." Its use here emphasizes that what Jeremiah receives is not just a thought or feeling, but a specific communication from God.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, highlighting that the message comes from the God who has a covenant relationship with Israel.
  • "fought" (לָחַם, lacham): This word means "to wage war" or "to battle." The verse uses it to show that Jerusalem is actively under attack, not just threatened.
  • "dominion" (יָד, yad; מֶמְשָׁלָה, memshalah): The Hebrew words here refer to Nebuchadnezzar’s power and authority over many kingdoms, stressing how overwhelming the opposition to Jerusalem is.

Why Jeremiah 34:1 matters

  • Jeremiah 34:1 makes clear that the message to follow is given during a real and desperate siege, not in peaceful times, which adds urgency and weight to God’s words.
  • The verse highlights the scale of Nebuchadnezzar’s power, reminding readers that Jerusalem faced not just Babylon, but a coalition of many peoples and armies.
  • By naming Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon specifically, the verse connects this prophecy to the larger story of Israel’s exile and God’s dealings with foreign nations, setting up the context for the rest of the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“dominion” Hebrew H4475 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • Psalms 103:22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
  • Isaiah 22:21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.

“Nebuchadnezzar” Hebrew H5019 · used in 59 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 44:30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.

“kingdoms” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 14:5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
  • Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
  • Jeremiah 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.