Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Jeremiah 27:7

Next

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.

And all nations {H1471} shall serve {H5647} him, and his son {H1121}, and his son's {H1121} son {H1121}, until the very time {H6256} of his land {H776} come {H935}: and then many {H7227} nations {H1471} and great {H1419} kings {H4428} shall serve {H5647} themselves of him.

All the nations will serve him, his son and his grandson, until his own country gets its turn - at which time many nations and great kings will make him their slave.

All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him.

And all the nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the time of his own land come: and then many nations and great kings shall make him their bondman.

Commentary

Jeremiah 27:7 is a powerful prophetic declaration concerning the future of the Babylonian Empire and its dominion over the nations. This verse is part of a larger message from God through the prophet Jeremiah, instructing Judah and surrounding nations to submit to Babylon's rule, recognizing it as God's sovereign will.

Context of Jeremiah 27:7

In Jeremiah chapter 27, the prophet Jeremiah is commanded by God to make yokes and put them on his neck, symbolizing the servitude that God would bring upon Judah and the surrounding nations under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The Lord declared that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was His chosen instrument, even calling him "my servant." This verse specifically foretells the duration of Babylon's supremacy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty over Nations: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over world powers. He raises up kingdoms and brings them down according to His divine plan, highlighting God's absolute control over the rise and fall of kingdoms. Even a mighty empire like Babylon, and its successive rulers, served His purpose.
  • Temporal Nature of Earthly Power: While Babylon's dominion is vast ("all nations shall serve him"), it is explicitly stated to be temporary ("until the very time of his land come"). This underscores that no human empire lasts forever; their time is set by God.
  • Prophecy of Babylon's Fall: The verse not only predicts Babylon's rise but also its eventual downfall. After its appointed time, "many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him," meaning Babylon itself would become subject to other powers, specifically the Medo-Persians, who would plunder and dismantle its empire.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "serve" (עָבַד - 'avad) carries the meaning of working, tilling, or being a servant. Here, it denotes forced labor, subjugation, and tribute, emphasizing the complete submission of the nations to Babylon's authority. The phrase "his son, and his son's son" highlights the generational extent of this servitude, confirming that the prophecy was not just for Nebuchadnezzar's lifetime but for his immediate successors as well.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Significance

Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled as Nebuchadnezzar's empire indeed dominated the Near East. His son, Evil-Merodach, and his "son's son" (grandson), Belshazzar, continued to reign, albeit with diminishing power, until the capture of Babylon by Cyrus the Great of Persia in 539 BC. The latter part of the verse, "many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him," points to the Medes and Persians, fulfilling a future where Babylon itself would be plundered and brought to ruin.

Practical Application

For believers today, Jeremiah 27:7 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering sovereignty over all human affairs. It encourages trust in His overarching plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic or oppressive. It teaches that earthly powers, no matter how formidable, are ultimately temporary and subject to God's ultimate authority. This understanding can bring comfort and perspective, knowing that God is working out His purposes across generations and nations, and His ultimate kingdom will prevail.

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

  • Jeremiah 52:31 (4 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth [day] of the month, [that] Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the [first] year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison,

  • Revelation 13:5 (3 votes)

    And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.

  • Revelation 13:10 (3 votes)

    He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

  • Zechariah 2:8 (3 votes)

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

  • Zechariah 2:9 (3 votes)

    For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

  • Jeremiah 25:11 (3 votes)

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

  • Jeremiah 25:14 (3 votes)

    For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.