Jeremiah 27:2

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

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} to me; Make {H6213} thee bonds {H4147} and yokes {H4133}, and put {H5414} them upon thy neck {H6677},

"ADONAI says this to me: 'Make yourself a yoke of straps and crossbars, and put it on your neck.

This is what the LORD said to me: “Make for yourself a yoke out of leather straps and put it on your neck.

Thus saith Jehovah to me: Make thee bonds and bars, and put them upon thy neck;

Commentary

Jeremiah 27:2 presents a vivid prophetic action commanded by the LORD to the prophet Jeremiah. This verse sets the stage for a powerful visual sermon intended to convey God's will concerning the impending Babylonian dominance over Judah and surrounding nations.

Context

This command comes during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely around the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah (c. 597 BC), as indicated in Jeremiah 27:1. The Southern Kingdom of Judah was under immense political pressure, caught between the declining power of Egypt and the rising might of Babylon. Many false prophets were promising peace and deliverance from Babylonian rule, contradicting God's true message. In this context, the LORD instructs Jeremiah to make literal "bonds and yokes" and wear them, symbolizing the inevitable servitude that God decreed for Judah and other nations under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This was a direct, unmistakable message that submission was the only path to survival, as further elaborated in Jeremiah 27:8-11.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over world affairs, even using pagan rulers like Nebuchadnezzar as instruments of His divine purpose and judgment.
  • Symbolic Prophecy: God often uses symbolic actions to convey His message, making it tangible and memorable for the people. The bonds and yokes were a clear visual representation of future servitude.
  • Call to Submission: The core message for Judah and neighboring nations was to submit to Babylonian rule, not to resist. This was a difficult and unpopular command, but it was God's will for their preservation.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The implicit warning is that failure to accept this divinely ordained yoke would result in severe judgment, including war, famine, and pestilence.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "bonds" (moserot) and "yokes" (mottot) vividly convey the imagery of restraint, burden, and forced servitude. A yoke, typically used for oxen, represents labor, submission, and often, oppression. The combination of "bonds" (chains or ropes) and "yokes" emphasizes the inescapable nature of the coming subjugation. It's a powerful visual metaphor for a nation being brought under the dominion of another power, much like an animal is brought under the control of its master.

Practical Application and Reflection

Jeremiah's uncomfortable task in Jeremiah 27:2 reminds us that God's will is not always easy or popular. Sometimes, His plan involves difficult circumstances or requires us to submit to situations we would rather avoid. This verse encourages us to:

  • Discern God's Hand: Even in challenging or seemingly oppressive circumstances, God may be working His purposes, using unlikely instruments.
  • Embrace Humility and Obedience: True wisdom lies in discerning and submitting to God's will, even when it goes against our natural inclinations or popular opinion.
  • Trust God's Sovereignty: Understanding that God is ultimately in control, even of global powers and events, can bring peace amidst chaos.

The message of the yoke in Jeremiah's time was one of forced submission for a specific purpose. For believers today, while our "yoke" under Christ is light and easy, the principle of trusting God's overarching plan and submitting to His divine wisdom remains profoundly relevant.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 11:30

    And Ahijah caught the new garment that [was] on him, and rent it [in] twelve pieces:

  • 1 Kings 11:31

    And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:

  • Isaiah 20:2

    At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

  • Isaiah 20:4

    So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with [their] buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

  • Jeremiah 13:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

  • Jeremiah 13:11

    For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

  • Jeremiah 19:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and [take] of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;
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