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:

JEREMIAH 34:15KJV
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Jeremiah 34:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 34:15 mean?

Jeremiah 34:15 describes how the people had recently changed their ways and done what was right in God’s eyes by announcing freedom for their fellow Israelites, making a formal agreement before God in the temple. The verse highlights a moment when the people acted justly by releasing others from bondage, as God desired.

In this verse, God (speaking through Jeremiah) reminds the people of Judah that they had turned back to Him by proclaiming "liberty" to their neighbors, which means they set their fellow Hebrews free from servitude. This act was formalized by making a covenant—a solemn promise—before God in the temple, the place associated with God’s presence and authority. The context is that the people had previously ignored God’s command to free Hebrew slaves every seven years, but under pressure, they briefly obeyed before going back on their word.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 34:15

  • "Liberty" (דְּרוֹר, deror): This word means freedom or release from servitude. Its use here emphasizes that the people were supposed to restore true freedom to those in bondage, not just a symbolic gesture.
  • "Covenant" (בְּרִית, berit): This is a binding agreement, often with God as witness. The people’s act of making a covenant in the temple shows the seriousness and public nature of their promise.
  • "Turned" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means to return or repent. Here, it points to the people’s change of heart and action, at least temporarily, in response to God’s command.

Why Jeremiah 34:15 matters

  • Jeremiah 34:15 clarifies that the people’s obedience was public and deliberate, not accidental or half-hearted; they made a covenant in the temple, showing full awareness of their commitment.
  • The verse highlights the importance of justice and freedom in God’s expectations for His people, connecting this moment to the broader biblical theme of release from oppression.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why God later condemns the people so strongly: their return to injustice was not out of ignorance, but a conscious reversal of a solemn promise made before God.

Where else these words appear

“liberty” Hebrew H1865 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
  • Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
  • Jeremiah 34:17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

“right” Hebrew H3477 · used in 119 verses

  • Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
  • Psalms 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.