Jeremiah 34:14
New International Version
Every seventh year each of you must free any fellow Hebrews who have sold themselves to you. After they have served you six years, you must let them go free.’ Your ancestors, however, did not listen to me or pay attention to me.

New Living Translation
I told them that every Hebrew slave must be freed after serving six years. But your ancestors paid no attention to me.

English Standard Version
‘At the end of seven years each of you must set free the fellow Hebrew who has been sold to you and has served you six years; you must set him free from your service.’ But your fathers did not listen to me or incline their ears to me.

Berean Standard Bible
Every 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.

King James Bible
At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear.

New King James Version
“At the end of seven years let every man set free his Hebrew brother, who has been sold to him; and when he has served you six years, you shall let him go free from you.” But your fathers did not obey Me nor incline their ear.

New American Standard Bible
“At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother who has been sold to you and has served you for six years, and you shall send him out free from you.” But your forefathers did not obey Me nor incline their ear to Me.

NASB 1995
“At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother who has been sold to you and has served you six years, you shall send him out free from you; but your forefathers did not obey Me or incline their ear to Me.

NASB 1977
“At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother, who has been sold to you and has served you six years, you shall send him out free from you; but your forefathers did not obey Me, or incline their ear to Me.

Legacy Standard Bible
“At the end of seven years each of you shall let his Hebrew brother go who has been sold to you and has served you six years, and you shall let him go to be free from you; but your fathers did not obey Me or incline their ear to Me.

Amplified Bible
“At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself [into servitude] or who has been sold to you and has served you six years, you shall release him from [serving] you; but your forefathers did not listen [submissively] to Me or obey Me.

Christian Standard Bible
‘At the end of seven years, each of you must let his fellow Hebrew who sold himself to you go. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free from your service.’ But your ancestors did not obey me or pay any attention.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At the end of seven years, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must send him out free from you. But your ancestors did not obey Me or pay any attention.

American Standard Version
At the end of seven years ye shall let go every man his brother that is a Hebrew, that hath been sold unto thee, and hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear.

Contemporary English Version
As part of this agreement, you must let a Hebrew slave go free after six years of service. Your ancestors did not obey me,

English Revised Version
At the end of seven years ye shall let go every man his brother that is an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee, and hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
'Every seven years each of you must free any Hebrews who sold themselves to you. When they have served you for six years, you must set them free.' But your ancestors refused to obey me or listen to me.

Good News Translation
every seven years they were to set free any Hebrew slave who had served them for six years. But your ancestors would not pay any attention to me or listen to what I said.

International Standard Version
"At the end of seven years, each of you is to set free your fellow Hebrew who has sold himself to you and has served you for six years. You are to send him out from you with no further obligation." But your ancestors didn't obey me or pay attention.

Majority Standard Bible
Every 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.

NET Bible
"Every seven years each of you must free any fellow Hebrews who have sold themselves to you. After they have served you for six years, you shall set them free." But your ancestors did not obey me or pay any attention to me.

New Heart English Bible
"At the end of seven years you shall let go every man his brother who is a Hebrew, who has been sold to you, and has served you six years, you shall let him go free from you": but your fathers did not listen to me, neither inclined their ear.

Webster's Bible Translation
At the end of seven years dismiss ye every man his brother a Hebrew, who hath been sold to thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not to me, neither inclined their ear.

World English Bible
At the end of seven years, every man of you shall release his brother who is a Hebrew, who has been sold to you, and has served you six years. You shall let him go free from you. But your fathers didn’t listen to me, and didn’t incline their ear.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
At the end of seven years you each send forth his brother, the Hebrew, who is sold to you, and has served you six years, indeed, you have sent him forth from you free: and your fathers did not listen to Me, nor inclined their ear.

Young's Literal Translation
At the end of seven years ye do send forth each his brother, the Hebrew, who is sold to thee, and hath served thee six years, yea, thou hast sent him forth free from thee: and your fathers hearkened not unto Me, nor inclined their ear.

Smith's Literal Translation
From the end of seven years ye shall send away a man his brother, the Hebrew who shall be sold to thee, and serving thee six years, and send him away free from thee; and your fathers heard not to me and inclined not their ear.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
At the end of seven years, let ye go every man his brother being a Hebrew, who hath been sold to thee, so he shall serve thee six years: and thou shalt let him go free from thee: and your fathers did not hearken to me, nor did they incline their ear.

Catholic Public Domain Version
‘When seven years have been completed, let each one release his brother, a Hebrew, who had been sold to him. And so he will serve you for six years, and then you shall release him to be free from you.’ But your fathers did not listen to me, nor did they incline their ear.

New American Bible
Every seventh year each of you must set free all Hebrews who have sold themselves to you; six years they shall serve you, but then you shall let them go free. Your ancestors, however, did not listen to me or obey me.

New Revised Standard Version
“Every seventh year each of you must set free any Hebrews who have been sold to you and have served you six years; you must set them free from your service.” But your ancestors did not listen to me or incline their ears to me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
At the end of seven years you shall set free every man his brother, a Hebrew, who has been sold to you; and when he has served you six years, you shall let him go free from you; but your fathers did not hearken to me nor incline their ear.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“After seven years you shall release, each man, his Hebrew brother that will be sold to you, and he shall work for you six years, and you shall release him as a son of freedom from your presence.” And your fathers did not listen to me, and they did not incline their ears to me
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
At the end of seven years ye shall let go every man his brother that is a Hebrew, that hath been sold unto thee, and hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee'; but your fathers hearkened not unto Me, neither inclined their ear.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
When six years are accomplished, thou shalt set free thy brother the Hebrew, who shall be sold to thee: for he shall serve thee six years, and then thou shalt let him go free: but they hearkened not to me, and inclined not their ear.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Freedom for Hebrew Slaves
13“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant with your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, saying: 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.…

Cross References
Exodus 21:2
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.

Deuteronomy 15:12
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.

Leviticus 25:39-41
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. ...

Deuteronomy 15:1-2
At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. / This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Luke 4:18
“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,

Matthew 18:27
His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him.

Romans 6:18
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.

Philemon 1:16
no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.

John 8:32-36
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?” / Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ...

Romans 8:21
that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Hebrews 8:10-12
For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. / No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest. / For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”


Treasury of Scripture

At the end of seven years let you go every man his brother an Hebrew, which has been sold to you; and when he has served you six years, you shall let him go free from you: but your fathers listened not to me, neither inclined their ear.

At the.

Jeremiah 34:8,9
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; …

Exodus 21:1-4
Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them…

Exodus 23:10,11
And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: …

been sold.

1 Kings 21:25
But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

Isaiah 50:1
Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

Romans 7:14-17,24
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin…

but.

Jeremiah 7:25,26
Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: …

Jeremiah 11:8-10
Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not…

Jeremiah 32:30
For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.

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Dismiss Ear End Fathers Free Hearkened Hebrew Inclined Served Seven Six Sold
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Dismiss Ear End Fathers Free Hearkened Hebrew Inclined Served Seven Six Sold
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.














Every seventh year
This phrase refers to the sabbatical year, a concept rooted in the Mosaic Law, specifically in Exodus 21:2 and Deuteronomy 15:12. The Hebrew word for "seventh" is "שְׁבִיעִי" (shevi'i), which signifies completion and rest, echoing the creation narrative where God rested on the seventh day. The sabbatical year was a time of release and renewal, reflecting God's provision and mercy. It was a reminder to the Israelites of their dependence on God and His sovereignty over time and resources.

you must free
The command to "free" is derived from the Hebrew word "שָׁלַח" (shalach), meaning to send away or release. This directive underscores the importance of liberty and justice in God's covenant community. It reflects God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, serving as a perpetual reminder of His grace and the call to emulate His compassion by releasing those in bondage.

any fellow Hebrew
The term "fellow Hebrew" emphasizes the communal and familial nature of the Israelite society. The Hebrew word "עִבְרִי" (ivri) denotes a member of the Hebrew people, highlighting the shared identity and covenant relationship among the Israelites. This phrase calls for solidarity and mutual care within the community, recognizing each person as a brother or sister in faith.

who has sold himself to you
This phrase addresses the practice of indentured servitude, where an individual might sell themselves due to debt or poverty. The Hebrew word "מָכַר" (makar) means to sell, indicating a transaction that, while legal, was not meant to be permanent. This practice was regulated by the Law to ensure humane treatment and eventual freedom, reflecting God's justice and mercy.

When he has served you six years
The six-year period of service is a test of faithfulness and endurance, both for the servant and the master. The number six, represented by the Hebrew word "שֵׁשׁ" (shesh), often symbolizes human effort and labor. This timeframe allowed for the servant to work off their debt while also providing the master with labor, but it was always meant to culminate in liberation.

you must let him go free
The repetition of the command to "let him go free" reinforces the importance of liberation and the ethical obligation to honor God's law. The Hebrew word "חָפְשִׁי" (chofshi) means free or released, signifying a return to autonomy and dignity. This act of release is a powerful testament to God's redemptive plan and His desire for His people to live in freedom and justice.

from your service
The phrase "from your service" indicates the end of the servant's obligation and the restoration of their independence. The Hebrew word "עֲבֹדָה" (avodah) means service or labor, and its cessation marks a new beginning for the freed individual. This release is a reflection of God's deliverance and a call to His people to practice mercy and justice in their relationships.

But your fathers did not listen
This phrase serves as a lament and a warning. The Hebrew word "שָׁמַע" (shama) means to hear or listen, implying not just auditory reception but obedience and response. The failure of the ancestors to heed God's command highlights the recurring theme of disobedience and its consequences. It serves as a cautionary tale for future generations to learn from past mistakes and to align their actions with God's will.

or incline their ear
The expression "incline their ear" is a Hebrew idiom that conveys attentiveness and willingness to obey. The word "הִטָּה" (hittah) means to stretch out or extend, suggesting an active effort to understand and comply. This phrase underscores the importance of being receptive to God's voice and the necessity of aligning one's heart and actions with His commands.

(14) At the end of seven years . . .--The immediate context, "when he hath served thee six years," shows that the liberation was intended to take place at the beginning of the seventh year. The Sabbath-year was to bring its rest to the slave as well as to the land.

Your fathers hearkened not unto me . . .--The words imply the fact already stated, that there had been a long-continued violation of the law to which the prophet refers. In Isaiah 58:6; Isaiah 61:1 (assuming the earlier date of those prophecies) we may trace a protest against that violation.

Verse 14. - At the end of seven years, etc. This is the literal rendering, but the sense, as is clear from the parallel passage in Deuteronomy 15:12, and indeed from the next clause of this very verse, is "in the seventh (not, the eighth) year."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Every
מִקֵּ֣ץ (miq·qêṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7093: An extremity, after

seventh
שֶׁ֣בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

year,
שָׁנִ֡ים (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

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

of you must free
תְּֽשַׁלְּח֡וּ (tə·šal·lə·ḥū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

his Hebrew
הָעִבְרִ֜י (hā·‘iḇ·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5680: Hebrews -- perhaps descendant of Eber, also another name for an Israelite

brother
אָחִ֨יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

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

has sold himself
יִמָּכֵ֣ר (yim·mā·ḵêr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4376: To sell

to you.
לְךָ֗ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

He may serve
וַעֲבָֽדְךָ֙ (wa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

you six
שֵׁ֣שׁ (šêš)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

years,
שָׁנִ֔ים (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

but then you must let him go
וְשִׁלַּחְתּ֥וֹ (wə·šil·laḥ·tōw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

free.
חָפְשִׁ֖י (ḥā·p̄ə·šî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2670: Exempt

But your fathers
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

did not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

listen
שָׁמְע֤וּ (šā·mə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

or incline
הִטּ֖וּ (hiṭ·ṭū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

their ear.
אָזְנָֽם׃ (’ā·zə·nām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 34:14 At the end of seven years you (Jer.)
Jeremiah 34:13
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