Jeremiah 27:11

But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.

But the nations {H1471} that bring {H935} their neck {H6677} under the yoke {H5923} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and serve {H5647} him, those will I let remain still {H3240} in their own land {H127}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; and they shall till {H5647} it, and dwell {H3427} therein.

But the nation that puts its neck under the yoke of the king of Bavel and serves him, that nation I will allow to remain on their own soil," says ADONAI. "They will farm it and live there."'"

But the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave in its own land, to cultivate it and reside in it, declares the LORD.”

But the nation that shall bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, that nation will I let remain in their own land, saith Jehovah; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.

Jeremiah 27:11 is a pivotal verse within a series of prophecies delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, urging various nations, including Judah, to submit to the rising power of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This message was profoundly unpopular and counter-intuitive, as it called for surrender rather than resistance to a foreign oppressor.

Historical and Cultural Context

During the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, the geopolitical landscape of the Near East was dominated by the ascendancy of the Babylonian Empire. God, through Jeremiah, declared that Nebuchadnezzar was His chosen instrument to punish disobedient nations. In Jeremiah chapter 27, the prophet dramatically illustrates this message by wearing a literal wooden yoke, symbolizing the servitude God intended for the nations. This verse specifically addresses the promise given to those who would heed this divine instruction, offering a path to preservation amidst widespread destruction.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse powerfully asserts God's ultimate control over world events and empires. He raises up and brings down kings and nations according to His sovereign will, even using a pagan ruler like Nebuchadnezzar as His agent.
  • Conditional Blessing Through Submission: God promises that nations which "bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him" will be allowed to "remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein." This highlights that obedience to God's difficult command, even when it means submitting to an earthly oppressor, leads to preservation and continued existence in their homeland. This contrasts sharply with the fate described for those who resist, as seen in Jeremiah 27:8, which promises destruction by sword, famine, and pestilence.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The implied message, understood from the broader context of Jeremiah's prophecies, is that rebellion against God's decreed plan would lead to severe judgment, displacement, and devastating exile.

Linguistic Insights

The term "yoke" (Hebrew: 'ol or motah) is a powerful metaphor throughout Scripture, often signifying servitude, burden, or instruction. Here, it specifically denotes forced submission to a foreign power. The promise to "remain still in their own land" (Hebrew: yashab 'al 'admatam) emphasizes a stable, settled existence, allowing them to "till it" (farm and work the land) and "dwell therein" (live securely), a stark contrast to the fate of nations that would be uprooted.

Related Scriptures

This concept of God using foreign powers as instruments of His will is also seen in other prophetic books, such as when God uses Assyria as His "rod" in Isaiah 10:5 to punish Israel. The difficult call to surrender for a greater purpose resonates with the broader biblical principle that God's ways are often higher than human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). Ultimately, for Judah, even the period of exile was part of God's plan for their future hope, as famously promised in Jeremiah 29:11, leading to eventual restoration.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 27:11 challenges believers to trust in God's sovereignty even when His plans seem perplexing or require difficult submission. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and that obedience to His revealed will, even when it involves hardship or humbling, ultimately leads to a measure of peace and preservation. For us today, this can mean submitting to difficult circumstances, respecting legitimate authorities, or trusting God's timing, knowing that His ultimate purpose is for our good and His glory, even when the path is unclear.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 21:9

    He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

  • Jeremiah 27:8

    And it shall come to pass, [that] the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

  • Jeremiah 27:2

    Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,

  • Jeremiah 38:2

    Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.

  • Jeremiah 42:10

    If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull [you] down, and I will plant you, and not pluck [you] up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

  • Jeremiah 42:11

    Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I [am] with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.

  • Jeremiah 40:9

    And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back