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Jeremiah 50:33

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¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah [were] oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}; The children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} and the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063} were oppressed {H6231} together {H3162}: and all that took them captives {H7617} held them fast {H2388}; they refused {H3985} to let them go {H7971}.

Thus says ADONAI-Tzva'ot: "The people of Isra'el are oppressed, and so are the people of Y'hudah. Those who took them captive hold them fast; they refuse to let them go.

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well. All their captors hold them fast, refusing to release them.

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: The children of Israel and the children of Judah are oppressed together; and all that took them captive hold them fast; they refuse to let them go.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 50:33

Jeremiah 50:33 delivers a powerful declaration from the LORD of hosts, emphasizing His divine authority and unwavering commitment to His people. This verse captures the dire situation of both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah during their respective exiles, primarily the Babylonian captivity.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic section (Jeremiah chapters 50-51) specifically pronouncing judgment against Babylon, the powerful empire that had conquered Judah and taken its people into exile. For decades, the people of Judah had endured captivity in Babylon, a seemingly inescapable bondage. While the Northern Kingdom of Israel had been exiled by Assyria much earlier, Jeremiah's prophecy here links their shared history of oppression, reminding the audience that both branches of God's covenant people faced severe hardship. The captors, Babylon, held them "fast," indicating a firm and oppressive grip, with no intention of releasing their valuable workforce and conquered subjects.

Key Themes

  • Shared Suffering: The verse highlights the collective plight of "the children of Israel and the children of Judah." Despite their historical divisions and sins, they were united in their oppression, awaiting divine intervention.
  • Oppression and Bondage: It vividly describes the hopelessness of the captives' situation: "all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go." This emphasizes the human impossibility of their liberation, setting the stage for God's miraculous work.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Justice: The opening phrase, "Thus saith the LORD of hosts," underscores God's ultimate control over nations and history. It signals that despite Babylon's apparent strength, their actions are under God's watchful eye, and He will act on behalf of His oppressed people. This declaration foreshadows Babylon's impending fall, as detailed elsewhere in Jeremiah 51.

Linguistic Insight

The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is significant. It portrays God not merely as a local deity but as the sovereign commander of heavenly armies and all creation. This title reassures the oppressed that the God who speaks is powerful enough to overcome any earthly empire, including mighty Babylon, and deliver His people.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 50:33 offers a message of hope and reassurance. Even when circumstances seem insurmountable, and oppressors refuse to yield, God sees the suffering of His people. This verse reminds believers that God is a righteous judge who hears the cries of the oppressed and will ultimately bring justice and liberation. It encourages patience and faith, knowing that the "LORD of hosts" remains in control, even when human efforts fail. It resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God's consistent care for the downtrodden, from the deliverance from Egyptian bondage to the ultimate freedom offered through Christ.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Isaiah 14:17 (8 votes)

    [That] made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; [that] opened not the house of his prisoners?

  • Exodus 9:2 (8 votes)

    For if thou refuse to let [them] go, and wilt hold them still,

  • Exodus 9:3 (8 votes)

    Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which [is] in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: [there shall be] a very grievous murrain.

  • Isaiah 58:6 (7 votes)

    [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

  • Jeremiah 50:17 (5 votes)

    Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

  • Jeremiah 50:18 (5 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.

  • Isaiah 47:6 (5 votes)

    I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.