Jeremiah 27 6

Jeremiah 27:6 kjv

And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

Jeremiah 27:6 nkjv

And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him.

Jeremiah 27:6 niv

Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him.

Jeremiah 27:6 esv

Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him.

Jeremiah 27:6 nlt

Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control.

Jeremiah 27 verses

Jeremiah 27 6 Meaning

The verse declares that the Lord has given the land of Israel into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This sovereignty bestowed upon the Babylonian king is not inherent but divinely ordained, serving as a testament to God's ultimate control over earthly kingdoms and nations. It signifies that Nebuchadnezzar's conquest and dominion are instruments in God's larger plan, even if the Israelites at the time did not fully grasp His purpose.

Jeremiah 27 6 Context

Jeremiah chapter 27 takes place during the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, shortly before the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. This chapter follows a period of false prophecy where prophets were encouraging rebellion against Babylon. Jeremiah is commanded by God to address all the surrounding nations, not just Judah, wearing a wooden yoke and then an iron yoke. He is to tell them that they and their kings will be subjugated by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Jeremiah 27:6 emphasizes that Nebuchadnezzar's power and dominion are not his own doing, but are given to him by the Lord. This divine delegation of authority is meant to reveal God's sovereign control over all earthly powers, even those who are instruments of judgment against His people. The surrounding nations, including Judah, were in various states of alliance or resistance against Babylon, and God is asserting that surrender to Babylon is the only path aligned with His divine will at that time.

Jeremiah 27 6 Word Analysis

• And (וְ - vĕ): A common conjunction, indicating a connection or continuation of thought.
• now (עַתָּה - 'attah): Denotes the present time, emphasizing the immediacy and relevance of God's declaration.
• behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection that draws attention to what follows, underscoring the importance of the statement. It's a divine summons to observe.
• I (אָנֹכִי - anokhi): The first-person singular pronoun, spoken by God. This emphasizes God as the active agent behind the events described.
• have given (נָתַתִּי - natatti): From the root "natan" (to give). It signifies bestowing or granting possession or authority. This is a perfect tense form, indicating a completed action by God that has present results.
• the earth (הָאָרֶץ - ha'aretz): Refers to the land, specifically the territory under consideration, including Judah and the surrounding nations mentioned in the context of the chapter. The definite article "ha" points to a specific, known land.
• into the hand of (בְּיַד - bĕyad): A common idiom indicating control, power, or possession. The "hand" symbolizes authority and ability to act.
• Nebuchadnezzar (נְבֻכַדְנֶצַּר - Nĕbukhadne'tztzar): The specific name of the king of Babylon. His name signifies his prominence as God's chosen instrument in this prophecy.
• king of Babylon (מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל - melekh-Bavel): Identifies his title and the empire he rules, highlighting his earthly position of power which God is now attributing His authority to.
• the beasts of the field (חַיַּת שָׂדֶה - khayyat śadeh): Literally "living things of the field." This phrase often represents the wild animals that inhabit the open country.
• And (וְ - vĕ): Continues the list of what has been given into Nebuchadnezzar's hand.
• to serve him (לַעֲבֹד - la'abod): From the root "avad" (to serve, to work). It signifies being subject to, working for, or being in the service of someone. This includes obedience and fulfilling the conqueror's will.
• And (וְ - vĕ): Adds another element to the bestowal of power.
• to the beasts of the field (גַּם־לְחַיַּת שָׂדֶה - gam-lĕkhayyat śadeh): The particle "gam" (also, even) emphasizes that this dominion extends even to the creatures of the wild, illustrating the comprehensive nature of his control.

Group Analysis:

• "I have given the earth...": This entire clause, initiated by God's direct declaration ("I") and using the verb of bestowal ("have given"), frames Nebuchadnezzar's reign not as an independent conquest but as a delegated authority from the divine sovereign. It highlights God's ultimate authorship of Nebuchadnezzar's power over the specified territories and peoples.
• "...into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon...": This phrase specifies the recipient of God's delegated authority. The "hand" is symbolic of his power, control, and ability to execute God's will, both for judgment and, as later revealed, for Nebuchadnezzar's own gain and service.
• "...and the beasts of the field, to serve him.": This striking addition indicates the extent of Nebuchadnezzar's dominion. It signifies total control over the land and its resources, including the natural inhabitants. The Hebrew word for "serve" (abad) implies subjugation and working under command. This comprehensive power over the natural world mirrors God's own dominion and emphasizes how God grants absolute rule to His chosen instruments.

Jeremiah 27 6 Bonus Section

The decree in Jeremiah 27:6 sets the stage for a demonstration of divine sovereignty that echoes throughout the biblical narrative. Nebuchadnezzar himself would later experience a humbling from God in Daniel chapter 4, after he boasted about his power, reminding everyone that true dominion belongs to the Most High. This verse also underscores the concept of divine judgment through human agents, a common motif. Nations that fail to recognize God's ultimate authority will inevitably be brought low, while those who align themselves with His will, even if imperfectly, can find themselves instruments in His grand design. The imagery of Nebuchadnezzar's control extending even to "the beasts of the field" is particularly powerful, suggesting a dominion that is complete and encompassing, a reflection of God's own kingship over creation. This verse can be seen as an Old Testament parallel to Jesus' words to Pilate in John 19:11, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above," reinforcing the idea that all earthly authority is subordinate to God's.

Jeremiah 27 6 Commentary

Jeremiah 27:6 is a pivotal verse within the context of God's judgment upon His people and the surrounding nations. It directly states that Nebuchadnezzar's rise to power is not a mere political or military event, but a sovereign act of God. The nations, including Judah, were expected to recognize that their current predicament was permitted, and even orchestrated, by the Almighty. Nebuchadnezzar, though a pagan king, was God's "servant" in this instance, tasked with executing judgment. This concept challenges human autonomy and highlights divine sovereignty over history. The prophecy here extends beyond a military conquest; it speaks of total dominion, even over the animal kingdom, illustrating the thoroughness of the judgment. The emphasis on God as the giver of power is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, serving as both a warning to the disobedient and a reminder of God's ultimate authority over all human endeavors. Understanding this verse means accepting that even those who oppose God's people can be used by Him for His purposes.