Definition: Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 34:13. It's a really important and somewhat mysterious passage. Here’s a simplified explanation: What it says: “Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying…” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Thus saith the LORD” : This is Jeremiah speaking directly to people. He’s proclaiming something important. “The God of Israel” : This establishes who he’s talking about – God, the leader and protector of the Jewish people. “I made a covenant with your fathers…” : This is the key part. A covenant is a special agreement or promise between two people. Jeremiah is saying that God made a promise to the ancestors of the Israelites (the Jewish people) long ago – a promise about their liberation and return to their homeland. “in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt…” : This refers to a very long time ago, during the Exodus from Egypt. The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites, forcing them into labor. Jeremiah is pointing back to this pivotal moment. He’s saying God made a promise before the Israelites left their homeland. “out of the house of bondmen…” : This is a bit tricky. “House of Bondmen” means a place where people were treated as property – essentially, they weren't fully owned. It suggests that these early Israelites were being held captive or under control by others. So, what does it mean ? Jeremiah is telling us that God made a promise to the ancestors of the Israelites. This promise involved giving them freedom and a new land (Egypt). It was a solemn agreement, a sacred covenant. And he’s saying, "I promised you this." Why is this important? This verse is hugely significant because it establishes the foundation for Jewish history and tradition. It's a reminder that God has a long-standing relationship with his people and that promises are incredibly important. It speaks to themes of redemption, liberation, and faithfulness – all core ideas in Judaism. --- To help me explain it even better and tailor it to your needs, could you tell me: What are you hoping to understand from this verse? (e.g., Are you curious about its historical context? Its theological meaning?) Are there any specific questions you have?