Jeremiah 27
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
THE FUTILITY OF RESISTING NEBUCHADNEZZAR ILLUSTRATED TO THE AMBASSADORS OF THE KING, DESIRING TO HAVE THE KING OF JUDAH CONFEDERATE WITH THEM, UNDER THE TYPE OF YOKES. JEREMIAH EXHORTS THEM AND ZEDEKIAH TO YIELD. (Jer. 27:1-22) Jehoiakim--The prophecy that follows was according to this reading given in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, fifteen years before it was published in the reign of Zedekiah to whom it refers; it was thus long deposited in the prophet's bosom, in order that by it he might be supported under trials in his prophetic career in the interim [CALVIN]. But "Zedekiah" may be the true reading. So the Syriac and Arabic Versions. Jer 27:3, Jer 27:12; Jer 28:1, confirm this; also, one of KENNICOTT'S manuscripts. The English Version reading may have originated from Jer 26:1. "Son of Josiah" applies to Zedekiah as truly as to "Jehoiakim" or "Eliakim." The fourth year may, in a general sense here, as in Jer 28:1, be called "the beginning of his reign," as it lasted eleven years (Kg2 24:18). It was not long after the fourth year of his reign that he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 51:59; Jer 52:3; Kg2 24:20), in violation of an oath before God (Ch2 36:13).
Open source ↗In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah,.... This is the same date with the prophecy of the preceding chapter and some think that this verse should conclude that, as belonging to it; and by which they would reconcile a difficulty that arises here; the orders for making the yokes being given in the beginning of Jehoiakim's reign, which yet were to be sent to the messengers of the neighbouring kings that were come to Zedekiah at Jerusalem, who did not begin to reign until eleven years after this time; but the word "saying", at the end of the verse, shows it not to belong to the preceding, but to what follows: others think it is a mistake of the copy, and that Jehoiakim is put for Zedekiah; and the Syriac and Arabic versions read Zedekiah; but he was not the son of Josiah, as this king is said to be, but his brother: others therefore think, that though the prophecy was delivered to Jeremiah, and the orders were given him to make the bonds and yokes after mentioned, at this time; yet this prophecy was concealed with him, and the orders were not executed till Zedekiah's time; or that the prophet, in the beginning of Jehoiakim's reign, made the yokes as he was ordered, and put one on his neck, to signify the subjection of Judah to the king of Babylon, which quickly took place, about the third or fourth year of this reign; and that the rest were sent to the ambassadors of the neighbouring nations in Zedekiah's time; which latter seems most probable: came this word unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying; as follows. This verse is not in the common editions of the Septuagint; but it is in the king of Spain's Bible.
Open source ↗The Yoke of Babylon. - In three sections, connected as to their date and their matter, Jeremiah prophesies to the nations adjoining Judah (Jer 27:2-11), to King Zedekiah (Jer 27:12-15), and to the priests and all the people (Jer 27:16-22), that God has laid on them the yoke of the king of Babylon, and that they ought to humble themselves under His almighty hand. According to the (corrected) heading, the prophecy was given in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah. If we compare Jer 28 we find the same date: "in that year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah," more fully defined as the fourth year of his reign. Graf has made objection, that in the case of a reign of eleven years, one could not well speak of the fourth year as the beginning of the reign. But the idea of beginning is relative (cf. Gen 10:10), and does not necessarily coincide with that of the first year. The reign of Zedekiah is divided into two halves: the first period, or beginning, when he was elevated by Nebuchadnezzar, and remained subject to him, and the after or last period, when he had rebelled against his liege lord.
Open source ↗Some difficulty occurs in the date of this prophecy. This word is said to come to Jeremiah in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim (Jer 27:1), and yet the messengers, to whom he is to deliver the badges of servitude, are said (Jer 27:3) to come to Zedekiah king of Judah, who reigned not till eleven years after the beginning of Jehoiakim's reign. Some make it an error of the copy, and think that it should be read (Jer 27:1), In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, for which some negligent scribe, having his eye on the title of the foregoing chapter, wrote Jehoiakim. And, if one would admit a mistake any where, it should be here, for Zedekiah is mentioned again (Jer 27:12), and the next prophecy is dated the same year, and said to be in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, Jer 28:1. Dr. Lightfoot solves it thus: In the beginning of Jehoiakim's reign Jeremiah is to make these bonds and yokes, and to put them upon his own neck, in token of Judah's subjection to the king of Babylon, which began at that time; but he is to send them to the neighbouring kings afterwards in the reign of Zedekiah, of whose succession to Jehoiakim, and the ambassadors sent to him, mention is made by way of prediction. I. Jeremiah is to prepare a sign of the general reduction of all these countries into subjection to the king of Babylon (Jer 27:2): Make thee bonds and yokes, yokes with bonds to fasten them, that the beast may not slip his neck out of the yoke. Into these the prophet must put his own neck to make them taken notice of as a prophetic representation; for every one would enquire, What is the meaning of Jeremiah's yokes? We find him with one on, Jer 28:10. Hereby he intimated that he advised them to nothing but what he was resolved to do himself; for he was not one of those that…
Open source ↗27:1-22 The Lord ordered Jeremiah to send messages to the ambassadors from nearby countries to announce the Lord’s judgment upon them. He was to illustrate his message by wearing a wooden yoke. This event took place in 594–593 BC (see 28:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
רֵאשִׁית (rêʼshîyth, H7225) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit) מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) יְהוֹיָקִים (Yᵉhôwyâqîym, H3079) — Jehojakim, a Jewish king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יֹאשִׁיָּה (Yôʼshîyâh, H2977) — Joshijah, the name of two Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מוֹסֵר (môwçêr, H4147) — properly, chastisement, i.e. (by implication) a halter; figuratively, restraint מוֹטָה (môwṭâh, H4133) — a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַמּוֹן (ʻAmmôwn, H5983) — Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine צִידוֹן (Tsîydôwn, H6721) — Tsidon, the name of a son of Canaan, and of a place in Palestine יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine צִדְקִיָּה (Tsidqîyâh, H6667) — Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יָשַׁר (yâshar, H3474) — to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant,…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar, H5019) — Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar, H5019) — Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) עֹל (ʻôl, H5923) — a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive)
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man קָסַם (qâçam, H7080) — properly, to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to… חֲלוֹם (chălôwm, H2472) — a dream עָנַן (ʻânan, H6049) — figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. practise magic כַּשָּׁף (kashshâph, H3786) — a magician אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire
Open source ↗נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) עֹל (ʻôl, H5923) — a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… צִדְקִיָּה (Tsidqîyâh, H6667) — Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) עֹל (ʻôl, H5923) — a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
Open source ↗מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) דֶּבֶר (deber, H1698) — a pestilence יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years.
And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live!
In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, near the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people:
Send word to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.
At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: