Jeremiah 34:3
And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.
Jeremiah 34:3 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Jeremiah in the Bible serves as a warning to the people of Judah that they will not be able to escape the judgment of the king of Babylon. The prophet Jeremiah conveys a message from God that the people will be captured and delivered into the hands of the Babylonian king. This prophecy was fulfilled when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged Jerusalem and took the people into captivity. The verse describes a harrowing scene where the people will come face to face with the king of Babylon, receiving a direct message from him. This encounter symbolizes the defeat and humiliation of Judah at the hands of a foreign power. The mention of going to Babylon indicates the exile and displacement of the people from their homeland. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the ultimate sovereignty of God over human affairs.
Theological Overview
This verse, found in the book of Jeremiah, provides a vivid description of the fate of an individual who refuses to heed the warnings of God regarding the impending judgment by the king of Babylon. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. In this context, the word "escape" signifies the inability to evade the judgment of God, indicating that divine justice cannot be avoided. The phrase "delivered into his hand" emphasizes the powerlessness of the individual in the face of the king of Babylon's authority, underlining the sovereignty of God over all earthly powers. Additionally, the mention of "eyes beholding the eyes of the king of Babylon" and speaking with him "mouth to mouth" symbolizes the direct confrontation with the consequences of rebellion against God. Ultimately, the reference to being taken to Babylon signifies the exile and captivity that will result from disobedience, serving as a stark warning against turning away from God's will.
Jeremiah 34:3 in other translations
American Standard Version
and thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.
World English Bible
and you shall not escape out of his hand, but shall surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and your eyes shall see the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with you mouth to mouth, and you shall go to Babylon.
Douay-Rheims
And thou shalt not escape out of his hand: but thou shalt surely be taken, and thou shalt be delivered into his hand: and thy eyes shall see the eyes of the king of Babylon, and his mouth shall speak with thy mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thou shall not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and deliuered into his hand, and thine eyes shall beholde the face of the King of Babel, and he shall speake with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babel.