Jeremiah 27 12

Jeremiah 27:12 kjv

I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.

Jeremiah 27:12 nkjv

I also spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, "Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live!

Jeremiah 27:12 niv

I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, "Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live.

Jeremiah 27:12 esv

To Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke in like manner: "Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people and live.

Jeremiah 27:12 nlt

Then I repeated this same message to King Zedekiah of Judah. "If you want to live, submit to the yoke of the king of Babylon and his people.

Jeremiah 27 verses

Jeremiah 27 12 Meaning

To obey the king of Babylon is to save your life, thereby aligning with God's decree for submission to earthly authorities, even if those authorities seem oppressive. It represents a choice between perceived human wisdom and divine appointment.

Jeremiah 27 12 Context

Jeremiah 27 follows a series of prophetic messages concerning the impending Babylonian siege and exile of Jerusalem. God instructs Jeremiah to symbolically wear a yoke, representing submission to the Babylonian king. This chapter continues that theme, urging all the nations in the region, as well as Judah, to submit to Nebuchadnezzar's rule. The immediate context is the arrival of envoys from surrounding kingdoms to Jerusalem, likely to coordinate a rebellion against Babylon. Jeremiah's message stands in stark contrast to the false prophets who are promising a speedy return of Judah's exiles and the restoration of the Temple, encouraging a futile resistance.

Jeremiah 27 12 Word analysis

• "Thus": Emphasizes that the following statement is a direct command or message from God.

• "says": Indicates divine authorship and authority.

• "the": Refers to a specific entity previously mentioned or understood.

• "LORD": God's covenant name, YHWH, highlighting His relational aspect and authority.

• "of": Indicates possession or relationship.

• "hosts": Refers to God as the commander of celestial armies, emphasizing His ultimate power and sovereignty over all powers, including earthly empires.

• "Israel": The covenant people of God.

• "and": Conjunction linking ideas.

• "Judah": The southern kingdom of Israel, at this time the primary focus of the prophetic warning.

• "your": Possessive pronoun referring to the addressees.

• "king": Refers to Zedekiah, the current king of Judah.

• "and": Conjunction.

• "your": Possessive.

• "counselors": Advisors to the king, likely included in the deception of false prophecy.

• "and": Conjunction.

• "your": Possessive.

• "people": The populace of Judah.

• "by": Indicates the means or instrument.

• "this": Refers to the specific present circumstances or place.

• "word": The divine message being conveyed through Jeremiah.

• Group analysis: "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel": This authoritative opening establishes the divine origin and the speaker's immense power over all nations, assuring the people that this is not a human suggestion but a direct commandment from the supreme God.

• Group analysis: "serve the king of Babylon": This phrase represents submission to the Babylonian empire, acknowledging its authority as divinely permitted or even appointed for a specific period, even though it involves subjugation. This submission is presented as the condition for survival.

Jeremiah 27 12 Bonus Section

The instruction to "serve the king of Babylon" reflects a consistent biblical theme of submission to governing authorities as ordained by God (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17). Nebuchadnezzar is presented here not just as a military conqueror but as an agent within God's divine order for that historical period. The prophecy's urgency and directness are amplified by the presence of foreign delegates, suggesting an opportunity to publicly deliver this counter-cultural message to multiple nations simultaneously. Jeremiah's faithfulness in delivering this difficult truth, despite potential opposition, is a key aspect of his prophetic ministry. The promise of "saving your life" for those who submit contrasts sharply with the inevitable judgment awaiting those who persist in defiance, aligning with the principle that obedience to God often involves obedience to His appointed earthly representatives.

Jeremiah 27 12 Commentary

Jeremiah is commanded by God to advise Zedekiah, the king of Judah, and all the people to submit to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This advice is rooted in God's overarching plan and sovereignty. The prophet is to tell them that resisting Babylon is futile and will lead to destruction, while submission offers a chance for survival. This challenges the prevailing sentiment among the people and their leaders, who are being misled by false prophets encouraging rebellion. The verse underscores God's authority over empires and His ability to use nations, even Gentile ones, as instruments of His judgment and purposes for His people. True wisdom and preservation lie in recognizing and aligning with God's revealed will, even when it seems difficult or counter-intuitive.