Jeremiah 27 3

Jeremiah 27:3 kjv

And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah;

Jeremiah 27:3 nkjv

and send them to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon, by the hand of the messengers who come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.

Jeremiah 27:3 niv

Then 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.

Jeremiah 27:3 esv

Send word to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the sons of Ammon, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon by the hand of the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.

Jeremiah 27:3 nlt

Then send messages to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their ambassadors who have come to see King Zedekiah in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 27 verses

Jeremiah 27 3 Meaning

This verse describes Jeremiah, the prophet, being instructed by God to fashion a yoke and put it on his own neck, symbolizing the coming servitude of the nations to the King of Babylon. The act serves as a visual prophecy and a testament to the authority God has granted Nebuchadnezzar.

Jeremiah 27 3 Context

Jeremiah 27 occurs early in the reign of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. It is a time of immense political upheaval. Neighboring nations, influenced by prophetic messengers and Zedekiah’s own diplomatic efforts, were considering forming a coalition against Babylon. Jeremiah, under divine command, crafts wooden yokes, symbolizing the dominion of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, over all the surrounding kingdoms, including Judah. This prophecy challenges the false hopes of independence fostered by some prophets, emphasizing that submission to Babylon is God’s ordained path to preserve life. Jeremiah even sends yokes to foreign envoys who were in Jerusalem for Zedekiah’s coronation, extending this message universally. The chapter serves as a stark reminder of God's sovereign power over earthly kingdoms and His authority to use one nation to judge another.

Jeremiah 27 3 Word Analysis

• "make" (Hebrew: עָשָׂה, asah): To do, make, act, fashion. This word implies creation and bringing into existence. Here, it signifies Jeremiah's active participation in creating the symbolic object.

• "for yourself" (Hebrew: לָךְ, lach): To you, for you. Indicates personal responsibility and the act of crafting for one's own use.

• "yokes" (Hebrew: מֹטֹות, motot): Plural of mōṭ, meaning pole, beam, yoke. A yoke was a wooden frame used to harness draft animals together for pulling a plow or cart, or for carrying burdens. It signifies oppression, subjugation, and forced labor.

• "and put them on" (Hebrew: וְנָתַתָּ, vənatata): And you shall put, place. Conveys the action of wearing or fitting the symbolic yokes.

• "your neck" (Hebrew: צַוָּארֶךָ, tsavvarekha): Your neck. The neck is often associated with bearing burdens and submission.

• "upon your neck" (Hebrew: עַל־צַוָּארֶךָ, ʿal-tsavvarekha): On your neck. Reinforces the visual of bearing the yoke.

• "that they may be for harness" (Hebrew: לְמַעַן יִהְיוּ, ləmaʿan yiḥyū): For the purpose of their being, so that they may be. This introduces the reason or intent behind the yokes.

• "on the neck" (Hebrew: עַל־צַוָּאר, ʿal-tsavvar): On the neck. Refers to the neck in a general sense, as yokes are worn on the neck.

• "of the land" (Hebrew: הָאָרֶץ, hā’āreṣ): The land, the earth. Refers to the entire land of Israel and, by extension, other lands mentioned later.

• Word Group: "make for yourself yokes and put them upon your neck"

  • This phrase depicts a direct, tangible action by Jeremiah as a prophetic sign. The yokes represent the impending Babylonian dominance. The personal "for yourself" and "your neck" emphasize that Jeremiah is embodying the reality he is proclaiming, making the message undeniable. The use of yokes is a powerful metaphor for the servitude that Nebuchadnezzar will impose.

Jeremiah 27 3 Bonus Section

The use of yokes as a prophetic symbol is echoed in various cultures and biblical narratives. The specific mention of bringing these yokes to be presented to the kings of surrounding nations signifies a broader message of God’s dominion over all Gentile powers, not just Judah. Jeremiah was acting as God’s agent, demonstrating to both Israel and the nations that Nebuchadnezzar was God's chosen instrument of judgment and power during that era. The underlying principle is God's absolute sovereignty over human history and the rise and fall of empires, a theme that continues throughout Scripture, particularly in Daniel and Revelation. The prophecy serves as a theological framework for understanding geopolitical events as part of God's divine plan.

Jeremiah 27 3 Commentary

Jeremiah's command to make and wear yokes is a striking visual prophecy. It’s not just a message but a living enactment of God’s word. The yokes symbolize submission and servitude to Babylon, illustrating that resistance is futile. The plural "yokes" suggests that all nations, including Judah, are subject to this divine decree through Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah's personal participation highlights the inescapable nature of this judgment and the prophetic authority vested in him. This act stands in contrast to the optimistic, yet false, pronouncements of other prophets, emphasizing God's sovereign plan for world empires.