Jeremiah 27 11

Jeremiah 27:11 kjv

But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.

Jeremiah 27:11 nkjv

But the nations that bring their necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let them remain in their own land,' says the LORD, 'and they shall till it and dwell in it.' " ' "

Jeremiah 27:11 niv

But if any nation will bow its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let that nation remain in its own land to till it and to live there, declares the LORD."?'?"

Jeremiah 27:11 esv

But any nation that will bring its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave on its own land, to work it and dwell there, declares the LORD."'"

Jeremiah 27:11 nlt

But the people of any nation that submits to the king of Babylon will be allowed to stay in their own country to farm the land as usual. I, the LORD, have spoken!'"

Jeremiah 27 verses

Jeremiah 27 11 Meaning

This verse is a prophecy delivered through Jeremiah to the people of Judah and their rulers, asserting God's sovereign will over nations and kingdoms. It emphasizes that God raises up and casts down rulers, and that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, is God's instrument. The core message is one of submission to divine authority, even through oppressive foreign powers, as disobedience would bring judgment.

Jeremiah 27 11 Context

Jeremiah 27 takes place during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah (circa 597 BC). Jerusalem is under pressure from the Babylonian Empire. Prophets within Judah are falsely proclaiming that the Babylonian exile and threat are temporary, encouraging resistance against Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah, however, is tasked by God to contradict this optimistic but deceptive message. This particular verse, spoken in conjunction with others in the chapter, establishes God's ultimate authority and the legitimacy of Nebuchadnezzar's rule as an instrument of divine judgment against Judah's disobedience. The historical context is crucial: Judah has repeatedly rebelled against God and broken covenant. God, in His justice, allows Babylon to conquer and dominate.

Jeremiah 27 11 Word Analysis

• "And" (וְ, ve): A conjunctive particle, linking this statement to previous ones, showing continuation and consequence.
• "he" (הוּא, hu): Refers to the servant, Nebuchadnezzar, established in the preceding verses.
• "shall" (וְ, ve): Indicates a future certainty, a divine declaration of what will come to pass.
• "give" (נָתַן, natan): A strong verb meaning to give, deliver, or put into the possession of. It signifies God's active act of transference of authority.
• "all" (כֹּל, kol): Denotes completeness, leaving no exceptions; emphasizing the totality of the lands given over.
• "these" (אֵלֶּה, elleh): Refers specifically to the lands of Judah and the surrounding nations mentioned previously in the chapter.
• "lands" (הָאָרֶץ, ha'aretz): Specifically the territories under their influence or control, particularly focusing on Judah.
• "into" (בְּ, be): Indicates the direction or recipient of the action, signifying possession.
• "the" (תַּחַת, tachat): Meaning "under" or "beneath," highlighting subordination.
• "hand" (יָד, yad): Symbolizes power, control, and authority. To be in someone's hand is to be subject to their power.
• "of" (יַד, yad): Genitive case marker.
• "Nebuchadnezzar" (נְבֻכַדְנֶצַּר, Nebukhadnetzzar): The name of the Babylonian king, identified as God's agent.
• "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): Ruler, sovereign.
• "of" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): Genitive case marker.
• "Babylon" (בָּבֶל, Bavel): The name of the dominant empire at that time.
• "my" (–ִי, -i): Suffix indicating possession or relation.
• "servant" (עֶבֶד, eved): A servant, slave. Here, it designates Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument used by God, though not necessarily meaning he serves God willingly or knowingly in a moral sense.
• "and" (וְ, ve): Conjunction.
• "he" (הוּא, hu): Refers to Nebuchadnezzar.
• "shall" (–, (no specific word, implied by context)): Indicates future action.
• "serve" (יַעַבְדוּ, ya'avdu): To work for, serve, be in bondage. Implies subjugation and obedience.
• "him" (אֹתוֹ, oto): Refers back to Nebuchadnezzar.

Word Group Analysis:

• "all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon": This phrase powerfully illustrates God's supreme sovereignty over political powers. "Hand" signifies direct control. God is portrayed as the ultimate grantor of authority.
• "my servant": This is a significant descriptor for Nebuchadnezzar. It doesn't imply personal devotion on Nebuchadnezzar's part but highlights his functional role as an instrument in God's overarching plan for judgment and discipline upon His people. God uses even pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes.

Jeremiah 27 11 Bonus Section

The concept of God using foreign nations and rulers as instruments of judgment is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, underscoring God's unique plan for covenant faithfulness and discipline. Nations often did not understand they were serving God's purposes, much like Nebuchadnezzar did not see himself as God's "servant" in a theological sense. This doctrine is crucial for understanding historical events through a biblical lens, emphasizing that human history is not random but is governed by a sovereign God. It also lays the groundwork for understanding subsequent New Testament teachings on submission to governing authorities (Romans 13). The analogy of God as a potter (Jeremiah 18) further supports this, as the potter has the right to make vessels for honorable or common use, just as God uses rulers for His purposes, whether for blessing or judgment.

Jeremiah 27 11 Commentary

This verse is a stark declaration of divine sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and rulers. Jeremiah is commissioned to convey to Judah and surrounding nations that Nebuchadnezzar is not merely a conquering king but an instrument appointed by God. His dominion is presented as a divine delegation. This message was revolutionary and counter-cultural for Judah, which felt divinely favored and threatened by Nebuchadnezzar. It served to disabuse them of the false hope offered by some prophets that resistance would be successful, grounding obedience in God's ultimate authority. Nebuchadnezzar, though a pagan king, becomes "my servant," meaning he is commissioned and used by God, just as Cyrus would later be called God's shepherd. This highlights that God works His purposes through human agents, regardless of their own spiritual standing, and that submission to divinely ordained authority, even oppressive authority, is often the path of obedience for God's people.