Jeremiah 27:22

KJV

They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall be carried {H935} to Babylon {H894}, and there shall they be until the day {H3117} that I visit {H6485} them, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; then will I bring {H5927} them up, and restore {H7725} them to this place {H4725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'They will be carried to Bavel; and there they will stay until the day I remember them, bring them back and restore them to this place,' says ADONAI."

Berean Standard Bible

‘They will be carried to Babylon and will remain there until the day I attend to them again,’ declares the LORD. ‘Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.’”

American Standard Version

They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be, until the day that I visit them, saith Jehovah; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 27:22 presents a definitive prophetic declaration concerning the fate of the sacred Temple vessels and the people of Judah, foretelling their inevitable deportation to Babylon. This verse, however, transcends a mere pronouncement of judgment by simultaneously delivering a divine, unwavering assurance from the LORD that this exile would not be permanent. It promises that in His appointed time, God would actively intervene to bring His people and their precious articles back, fully restoring them to their homeland, thereby powerfully underscoring His sovereignty over judgment and His ultimate faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 27:22 serves as the climactic conclusion to a specific prophetic oracle found in [Jeremiah 27:19-22](/jeremiah/27-19-22 "Jeremiah 27:19-22 - Prophecy Concerning the Temple Vessels"). In this immediate section, Jeremiah directly confronts and refutes the false prophets who were actively assuring King Zedekiah and the populace that the remaining temple articles, which Nebuchadnezzar had not yet carried off during previous deportations (as detailed in [2 Kings 24:13](/2_kings/24-13 "2 Kings 24:13 - Nebuchadnezzar Takes Temple Treasures")), would soon be returned from Babylon. Jeremiah's divinely inspired message is starkly contrary: not only would those items *not* return, but the remaining ones—specifically the bronze pillars, the great bronze Sea, and the stands ([Jeremiah 27:19](/jeremiah/27-19 "Jeremiah 27:19 - Jeremiah's Prophecy on Remaining Vessels"))—would also be taken to Babylon. This verse thus functions as the definitive statement of their immediate, grim future, immediately followed by the long-term, hopeful promise of restoration, setting a crucial thematic foundation for the broader prophecies of exile and return that permeate the book of Jeremiah.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy was delivered during the precarious early reign of King Zedekiah, likely around 594-593 BC. This period was marked by profound political instability and spiritual apostasy in Judah, following the first two deportations to Babylon (the most significant being in 597 BC, which included King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens). Judah existed as a vulnerable vassal state to the formidable Babylonian Empire, and various nations in the region were actively contemplating or forming alliances for rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar. Within Jerusalem, false prophets and foreign envoys were highly influential, advocating for resistance against Babylon and promising a swift return of exiles and temple treasures. Jeremiah's counter-message, which vehemently urged submission to Babylon as God's divinely appointed instrument of judgment, was profoundly unpopular and often perceived as treasonous. Culturally, the concept of "place"—specifically Jerusalem and the Temple—was inextricably linked to Israelite identity, worship, and their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Therefore, the promise of return to "this place" carried immense significance, implying a comprehensive restoration of their national, spiritual, and communal life.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 27:22 encapsulates several overarching and foundational themes present throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament prophetic tradition. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**. The impending Babylonian exile is not portrayed as a random geopolitical misfortune but as a divinely orchestrated consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and moral corruption. This demonstrates God's absolute justice and His sovereign control over world empires, even using them as instruments of His wrath ([Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")). Secondly, the verse introduces the crucial theme of **Promise of Restoration and Hope**. Despite the severity and certainty of the impending judgment, the latter part of the verse offers a beacon of future deliverance, signifying that God's discipline has a set duration and an ultimate redemptive purpose. This promise of return is foundational to the hope offered in later chapters, particularly the prophecy of the [seventy years of Babylonian captivity](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years Exile"). Finally, it highlights God's unwavering **Faithfulness to His Covenant**. Even in the midst of severe punishment and apparent abandonment, God does not permanently forsake His people. The restoration spoken of here is a profound testament to His enduring love, His steadfast commitment to His chosen people, and His ultimate plan for their redemption, echoing earlier covenant promises of return from exile found in passages like [Deuteronomy 30:1-5](/deuteronomy/30-1-5 "Deuteronomy 30:1-5 - Return from Exile and Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** H6485. This word is remarkably rich in semantic range, encompassing both friendly and hostile intervention. While it can certainly signify judgment (e.g., "I will visit their iniquity upon them"), in the specific context of Jeremiah 27:22, it unequivocally denotes a positive, redemptive intervention. It implies God's active remembrance, decisive action, and compassionate care for His people, culminating in their deliverance and restoration. This is not a casual observation but a purposeful, impactful, and transformative visitation.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068. This is the sacred, covenant name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. Its prominent use here, particularly in the phrase "saith the LORD," profoundly emphasizes that the speaker is the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging God who is utterly faithful to His covenant promises. The inclusion of this divine speech marker underscores the ultimate authority, infallibility, and certainty of the prophetic word, indicating that this is not merely Jeremiah's human opinion or prediction but a direct, authoritative declaration from the sovereign God who governs all history and infallibly fulfills His every word.
* **restore (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** H7725. This primitive root means "to turn back," "return," or "bring back." It signifies a complete reversal of a previous state, implying a comprehensive and intentional act of bringing something or someone to their original, rightful place or condition. In this verse, it speaks powerfully to God's active and deliberate role in reversing the exile, bringing His people and their sacred vessels back to Jerusalem. This signifies not merely a physical return but a profound spiritual and national renewal, a re-establishment of their relationship with God and their covenant identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall be carried to Babylon,"**: This opening clause delivers the immediate, harsh, and unavoidable reality of the prophecy. The pronoun "They" refers primarily to the remaining Temple vessels explicitly mentioned in [Jeremiah 27:19](/jeremiah/27-19 "Jeremiah 27:19 - Jeremiah's Prophecy on Remaining Vessels") and, by clear implication, to the people of Judah themselves. This statement confirms the absolute inevitability of the impending exile, directly contradicting the false prophets' deceptive assurances and reinforcing Jeremiah's unpopular but divinely mandated message of submission to God's judgment through the instrument of Babylon.
* **"and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD;"**: This is the pivotal clause, introducing both the precise duration of the exile and the divine intervention that will bring it to an end. The phrase "until the day that I visit them" establishes a divinely appointed limit to the exile, emphasizing that the captivity is not a permanent state but has a definite, God-ordained duration. The "visitation" by the LORD, as elucidated in the Key Word Analysis, signals a benevolent, redemptive, and decisive action by God, marking the turning point from judgment to restoration. The authoritative declaration "saith the LORD" authenticates the entire promise as a direct, infallible word from the covenant-keeping God.
* **"then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place."**: This final clause articulates the glorious and certain promise of future deliverance and return. "Bring them up" signifies a physical ascent, most likely from the lower elevations of Mesopotamia back to the elevated city of Jerusalem and the mountainous region of Judah. "Restore them to this place" explicitly names Jerusalem/Judah as the ultimate destination, signifying a full and complete reversal of their displacement. This implies not just a physical repatriation but a comprehensive re-establishment of their national, religious, and spiritual life, fulfilling God's enduring commitment to His people and their promised land.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 27:22 masterfully employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Prophecy** is the overarching device, as the verse declares future events with divine certainty and authority. The repeated use of "saith the LORD" functions as a powerful **Divine Speech Marker**, lending ultimate authority, infallibility, and undeniable truth to the pronouncement, distinguishing it from human speculation. A clear **Contrast** is established between the immediate, grim reality of exile ("They shall be carried to Babylon") and the future, glorious hope of return ("then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place"), highlighting God's overarching plan that extends beyond immediate suffering and includes ultimate redemption. The phrase "the day that I visit them" serves as a potent **Metonymy** for the specific, divinely appointed time of God's redemptive intervention, a period of decisive divine action that will fundamentally alter their circumstances. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "Babylon" and "this place" (referring to Jerusalem/Judah) functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing the opposing poles of judgment and grace, exile and restoration, and divine wrath and enduring covenant faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 27:22 stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereign control over history and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even in the midst of severe judgment. It profoundly reveals that divine discipline is not an act of abandonment but a purposeful, time-limited process designed to bring about repentance and ultimately, restoration. The promise of "visitation" and "restoration" underscores God's active, personal, and redemptive involvement in the affairs of humanity, ensuring that His ultimate redemptive plan for His people will be fulfilled. This verse provides a foundational truth: even when God's people face the painful consequences of their sin and experience displacement or hardship, their hope is anchored in the unchanging character of a God who remembers His promises and orchestrates their return.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years Exile")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5-6 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People")
* [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1-4 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree for Return")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 27:22 offers enduring encouragement and profound lessons for believers navigating seasons of difficulty, discipline, or displacement in their own lives. It powerfully reminds us that even when we face the painful consequences of our choices, or experience trials that feel like a spiritual or physical "exile," God's sovereign purposes are always at work, and His faithfulness remains steadfast. Our hardships, much like the Babylonian captivity, have a divinely appointed purpose and a definite end. We are called to cultivate patient trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering promise of "visitation," knowing that He will intervene to bring about His intended restoration, renewal, and ultimate good. This verse cultivates a resilient hope, urging us to look beyond immediate, often bleak, circumstances to the sovereign God who is supremely capable of turning even the most desolate situations into opportunities for His glorious return and the re-establishment of His presence among His people. It challenges us to maintain unwavering faith in His prophetic word, even when it contradicts popular opinion, defies human logic, or seems utterly impossible, and to remember that God's ultimate plan is always for the good of those who are called according to His purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah 27:22 challenge our perspective on suffering and hardship, especially when it feels like a consequence of our own or societal sin?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a sense of "exile" or displacement, and how can the promise of God's "visitation" and "restoration" apply to those situations?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of trusting God's timing, even when the promised "day" of intervention seems far off?**
* **How does the concept of God's "visitation" in this verse deepen your understanding of His active involvement and compassionate care for His people?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the Temple vessels being taken to Babylon?**

Answer: The Temple vessels were far more than mere utilitarian objects; they were sacred items consecrated for the worship of the LORD, symbolizing God's holy presence and the covenant relationship with Israel. Their removal to Babylon, as detailed in [2 Kings 25:13-17](/2_kings/25-13-17 "2 Kings 25:13-17 - Temple Vessels Carried to Babylon"), was a profound act of desecration and a visible, tangible sign of God's severe judgment against Judah's pervasive idolatry and unfaithfulness. It signified the temporary suspension of Temple worship in Jerusalem and the deep humiliation of God's chosen people. However, Jeremiah 27:22 offers the counter-promise of their eventual return, which was partially fulfilled under Cyrus the Great ([Ezra 1:7-11](/ezra/1-7-11 "Ezra 1:7-11 - Cyrus Returns Temple Vessels")), symbolizing the restoration of God's favor and the re-establishment of true, unhindered worship.

**How long did the exile to Babylon last, and how does this verse relate to that timeframe?**

Answer: The Babylonian exile, from its initial major deportation, lasted approximately 70 years, a precise period explicitly prophesied by Jeremiah himself in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Seventy Years of Exile"). Jeremiah 27:22's phrase "until the day that I visit them" directly foreshadows and perfectly aligns with this divinely appointed 70-year timeframe. It confirms that the exile had a definite, God-ordained duration and would not be an indefinite or permanent punishment. The "visitation" refers to God's sovereign intervention at the culmination of this period, prompting the Persian King Cyrus to issue a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1-4 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 27:22, with its profound promise of divine "visitation" and "restoration" following a period of exile, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The historical, physical exile of Israel to Babylon and their subsequent return serves as a powerful type and shadow of humanity's deeper spiritual exile from God due to sin, and Christ's redemptive work as the ultimate "visitation" and "restoration." Just as God promised to "bring them up, and restore them to this place," so too did He "visit" His people in the person of Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, humanity is offered a definitive way out of spiritual captivity and restored to a right, living relationship with God, no longer exiled but brought near through His precious blood ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")). The "place" of restoration is no longer merely an earthly Jerusalem, but a spiritual dwelling in Christ Himself ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")) and the glorious promise of a future, eternal [heavenly Jerusalem](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem") where God's redeemed people will dwell with Him forever, completely free from the effects of sin, judgment, and spiritual displacement. Thus, the temporal promise given to Israel points forward to the eternal spiritual reality achieved through Christ, who is the true and lasting "restoration."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 29:10

For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Jeremiah 32:5

And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

Ezra 7:19

The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, [those] deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.

Ezra 1:11

All the vessels of gold and of silver [were] five thousand and four hundred. All [these] did Sheshbazzar bring up with [them of] the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 25:11

And this whole land shall be a desolation, [and] an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

Jeremiah 25:12

And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, [that] I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.

Proverbs 21:30

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.