Jeremiah 28:14

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; I have put {H5414} a yoke {H5923} of iron {H1270} upon the neck {H6677} of all these nations {H1471}, that they may serve {H5647} Nebuchadnezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}; and they shall serve {H5647} him: and I have given {H5414} him the beasts {H2416} of the field {H7704} also.

For here is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: "I have put a yoke of iron on the necks of all these nations, so that they can serve N'vukhadnetzar king of Bavel; and they will serve him; and I have given him the wild animals too."'"

For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I have even given him control of the beasts of the field.’”

For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 28:14 KJV

Jeremiah 28:14 delivers a powerful and direct message from the LORD of hosts, countering the false optimism of the prophet Hananiah. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and their destinies, declaring the unavoidable servitude of Judah and surrounding countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

Context

This verse is the climax of a dramatic confrontation between the true prophet Jeremiah and the false prophet Hananiah in Jerusalem around 594 BC. Jeremiah had been prophesying that Judah and its neighbors must submit to Babylon, symbolized by a wooden yoke he wore around his neck (Jeremiah 27:2). Hananiah publicly contradicted Jeremiah, prophesying that the Babylonian yoke would be broken within two years and the exiled people and temple treasures would return (Jeremiah 28:2-4, 28:11). In a bold act, Hananiah broke Jeremiah's wooden yoke, symbolizing his false message of liberation. Jeremiah 28:14 is God's direct response, delivered through Jeremiah, declaring that the broken wooden yoke would be replaced by an even harsher, unbreakable "yoke of iron," confirming Babylon's divinely ordained dominance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel" immediately establishes the ultimate authority behind this pronouncement. It highlights that God, not human kings or prophets, orchestrates world events and raises up or brings down nations (Daniel 2:21).
  • Inevitable Judgment: The "yoke of iron" signifies an inescapable and severe servitude. Unlike the wooden yoke, which could be broken, the iron yoke represents a permanent, unbreakable subjugation designed to bring about God's disciplinary purposes for the disobedient nations. This harsh reality directly contrasts with Hananiah's comforting, yet deceitful, prophecies.
  • God's Use of Instruments: Nebuchadnezzar, the pagan king of Babylon, is explicitly named as God's chosen instrument to execute divine judgment. This demonstrates God's ability to use any person or power, even those who do not acknowledge Him, to fulfill His will.
  • Total Dominion: The statement "I have given him the beasts of the field also" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Nebuchadnezzar's divinely granted dominion. It signifies that not only people but also the very land, its resources, and its creatures were under Babylon's control, indicating a complete and undeniable authority over the region (Psalm 24:1).

Linguistic Insights

The contrast between the "wooden yoke" (Hebrew: motah etz) and the "yoke of iron" (Hebrew: motah barzel) is crucial. The term barzel (iron) implies strength, durability, and severity, conveying an unbreakable and oppressive burden. The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme power and authority over all heavenly and earthly armies, reinforcing the absolute certainty of His word.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate control over human history and the consequences of rebellion against His will. It teaches us to discern between true and false messages, recognizing that God's truth may sometimes be difficult to hear, unlike comforting falsehoods. It also highlights that even in times of severe trial or oppression, God remains sovereign, using circumstances and even ungodly rulers to fulfill His purposes. Our response should be humble submission to God's declared will, rather than seeking comfort in deceptive promises.

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

  • Deuteronomy 28:48

    Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all [things]: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

  • Jeremiah 27:6

    And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

  • Jeremiah 27:7

    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.

  • Isaiah 14:4

    ¶ That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!

  • Isaiah 14:6

    He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, [and] none hindereth.

  • Jeremiah 27:4

    And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters;

  • Daniel 2:38

    And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou [art] this head of gold.
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