Jeremiah 27 7

Jeremiah 27:7 kjv

And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.

Jeremiah 27:7 nkjv

So all nations shall serve him and his son and his son's son, until the time of his land comes; and then many nations and great kings shall make him serve them.

Jeremiah 27:7 niv

All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him.

Jeremiah 27:7 esv

All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.

Jeremiah 27:7 nlt

All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his time is up. Then many nations and great kings will conquer and rule over Babylon.

Jeremiah 27 verses

Jeremiah 27 7 meaning

Jeremiah 27:7 declares God's decree that all the nations surrounding Judah, including Judah itself, would be subjected to the Babylonian empire, serving Nebuchadnezzar, his son, and his grandson. This period of servitude would endure for a divinely appointed duration, after which Babylon's own time of judgment would arrive, leading to its downfall at the hands of other powerful nations and kings. It emphasizes God's sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations and the specific, temporary nature of the Babylonian dominion as a tool of divine purpose.

Jeremiah 27 7 Context

Jeremiah chapter 27 is set early in the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, specifically around 594-593 BC, following Nebuchadnezzar's first siege of Jerusalem in 605 BC and Jehoiakim's rebellion, and after the first major deportation of prominent Judeans to Babylon, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Daniel, in 597 BC. Jeremiah is delivering a strong prophetic message to envoys from various surrounding nations (Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, Sidon) who had gathered in Jerusalem, likely to conspire against Nebuchadnezzar. Through the symbolic act of wearing a yoke, Jeremiah commands these nations, including Judah, to submit to Babylon's dominion. Verse 7 specifically defines the duration and extent of this divine decree, emphasizing that it is a direct act of the LORD, who has given Nebuchadnezzar temporary universal authority, setting the stage for Babylon's eventual fall.

Jeremiah 27 7 Word analysis

• And all the nations shall serve him:

  • And all the nations: (və-ḵol-hagoyim, וְכָל־הַגּוֹיִם). hagoyim refers to the foreign nations or peoples, implying not just Judah but all the surrounding states. This emphasizes the comprehensive scope of Babylon's decreed rule by God, indicating a worldwide, universal (within the known world) subjugation, asserting God's macro-control over global politics and sovereignty beyond just His covenant people.
  • shall serve him: (yaʻavduhu, יַעַבְדֻהוּ). The verb ʻavad (עָבַד) means "to serve," "to work," or "to labor." It signifies subjugation, slavery, or mandatory service. The "him" refers to Nebuchadnezzar. This is not optional; it's a divine command that will be enforced, acting as a divine judgment upon these nations. The double implication of serving can be seen as forced labor and implicitly, if unwillingly, serving God's larger purpose through the oppressor.

• and his son, and his son’s son:

  • and his son: (wə·ḵonnu, וּבְנוֹ). "His son" refers to the next generation in the Babylonian line of rule. In ancient Near Eastern context, ben (בֵּן, "son") could mean a direct descendant, grandson, or even a successor in a dynasty. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by Amel-Marduk, then Neriglissar (son-in-law), then Labashi-Marduk (his son), and finally Nabonidus, whose son was Belshazzar (Daniel 5). Biblically, Belshazzar is called "son" of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel, indicating a dynastic succession rather than strictly biological immediacy. This clarifies that the prophecy extends beyond Nebuchadnezzar's personal reign.
  • and his son’s son: (wə·ṯzon nu). Literally "and the son of his son," meaning his grandson or second-generation successor within the dynasty. This further extends the specified period of Babylonian dominion, encompassing multiple rulers beyond the immediate successor, affirming a multi-generational period of control before its end. This emphasizes the longevity of Babylon's ordained power.

• until the time of his own land comes:

  • until the time of his own land comes: (‘aḏ-bō’ ‘êṯ-‘ar·ṣōw). ‘aḏ-bō’ (עד בֹּא) means "until the coming" or "until the time comes." ‘êṯ (עֵת) signifies an appointed, specific time, often implying a divine deadline. ‘arṣōw (אַרְצוֹ) refers to "his own land," Babylon itself. This phrase acts as a crucial boundary and limitation on Babylon's power. God sets the specific term, ensuring the oppression is not eternal but bound by divine providence, indicating that Babylon's sovereignty is conditional and finite.

• and then many nations and great kings shall make them serve them:

  • and then many nations and great kings: (wə·‘āḇə·ḏu-ḇā·hem go·yim rab·bîm u·mə·lā·ḵîm gə·ḏō·lîm). This signals a decisive shift. The very entity that oppressed others will, in turn, become subject to subjugation. goyim rabbim ("many nations") and məlāḵîm gəḏolîm ("great kings") refers to the coalition that would conquer Babylon (e.g., the Medes and Persians under Cyrus the Great).
  • shall make them serve them: (yevadenum).ʻavad(עָבַד) is used again, here in the causative (Hiphil stem in some verbal conjugations, though this particular form ispi'el` related) which implies causing to serve or subjecting others to servitude. The "them" refers back to the Babylonians. This indicates a reversal of roles – Babylon will experience the very servitude it inflicted on others, underscoring the principle of divine justice (lex talionis) and that the instruments of God's wrath are themselves accountable.

Jeremiah 27 7 Bonus section

The concept of "son" (ben) in Jeremiah 27:7 and Daniel 5:18 referring to successors or descendants rather than strictly biological offspring is common in biblical and ancient Near Eastern texts. This broad usage allowed for dynastic succession where non-biological "sons" could inherit authority, perfectly aligning with historical realities where Nebuchadnezzar was followed by a line of rulers, including Nabonidus (whose son was Belshazzar), who continued the Chaldean empire. This prophetic declaration reassured the original audience that Babylonian power would endure beyond Nebuchadnezzar's lifetime but also contained the comforting promise of a definite end to that dominion. This pattern—God using an empire to discipline His people, setting a limit to the oppression, and then judging the oppressive empire itself—is a recurring motif throughout the prophetic books (e.g., Assyria, Egypt) and showcases God's steadfast justice and fidelity to His ultimate plans for His people and the world.

Jeremiah 27 7 Commentary

Jeremiah 27:7 is a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over human history and geopolitics. It confirms that the extensive dominion granted to Nebuchadnezzar was not mere conquest but a divinely ordained, temporary instrument for executing God's purposes, primarily for judging sinful nations, including Judah. The prophecy is precise in specifying the generational scope ("his son, and his son’s son"), showing the depth and endurance of this judgment. Crucially, it sets a clear boundary ("until the time of his own land comes"), promising that Babylon's reign, though extensive, would have a divinely appointed end. This offers a message of hope amidst the harsh judgment, assuring the nations that oppression would not last indefinitely. The verse concludes with the ultimate promise of retributive justice against Babylon itself, asserting that God will bring judgment upon the very power He used as His rod, emphasizing His unshakeable justice and that no nation, however mighty, operates outside His ultimate authority. It teaches that even world empires rise and fall according to God's timetable and purposes.