Jeremiah 27:1-8

1 in principio regni Ioachim filii Iosiae regis Iuda factum est verbum istud ad Hieremiam a Domino dicens

2 haec dicit Dominus ad me fac tibi vincula et catenas et pones eas in collo tuo

3 et mittes eas ad regem Edom et ad regem Moab et ad regem filiorum Ammon et ad regem Tyri et ad regem Sidonis in manu nuntiorum qui venerunt Hierusalem ad Sedeciam regem Iuda

4 et praecipies eis ut ad dominos suos loquantur haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel haec dicetis ad dominos vestros

5 ego feci terram et hominem et iumenta quae sunt super faciem terrae in fortitudine mea magna et in brachio meo extento et dedi eam ei qui placuit in oculis meis

6 et nunc itaque ego dedi omnes terras istas in manu Nabuchodonosor regis Babylonis servi mei insuper et bestias agri dedi ei ut serviant illi

7 et servient ei omnes gentes et filio eius et filio filii eius donec veniat tempus terrae eius et ipsius et servient ei gentes multae et reges magni

8 gens autem et regnum quod non servierit Nabuchodonosor regi Babylonis et quicumque non curvaverit collum suum sub iugo regis Babylonis in gladio et in fame et in peste visitabo super gentem illam ait Dominus donec consumam eos in manu eius

Jeremiah 27:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 27

This chapter contains a prophecy of the subjection of the king of Judah, with five neighbouring kings, to the king of Babylon; signified by bonds and yokes on the prophet's neck, which they are exhorted patiently to bear, as being most for their good; and not to give heed to false prophets, who would persuade them to the contrary. The date of the prophecy is in Jer 27:1; the order to make the yokes, and send them to the several neighbouring princes by their messengers at Jerusalem, Jer 27:2,3; what they should say to their masters from the God of Israel, who is described from his power in the creation of the earth, and the disposal of it, Jer 27:4,5; as that he had given all their lands into the hand of the king of Babylon, whom they should serve, or it would be worse for them, Jer 27:6-8; and therefore should not hearken to their prophets, who prophesied lies; if they did, it would be to their hurt; whereas, if they quietly submitted, they would dwell in their own land, Jer 27:9-11; particularly Zedekiah king of Judah is exhorted to submit; and both he, and the priests and the people, are advised not to hearken to the false prophets, Jer 27:12-15; particularly as to what they said concerning the speedy return of the vessels of the temple, which were carried away to Babylon; but might assure themselves they should remain there; and the rest also should be taken, and not returned until the end of the seventy years, Jer 27:16-22.