Jeremiah 28:14

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹֽה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֩

H559

For thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֨ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֜וֹת

H6635

of hosts

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י

H430

the God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עֹ֣ל

H5923

a yoke

a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively

בַּרְזֶ֡ל

H1270

of iron

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

#10

נָתַ֥תִּי

H5414

I have put

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#11

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#12

צַוַּ֣אר׀

H6677

upon the neck

the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)

#13

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#14

הַגּוֹיִ֣ם

H1471

of all these nations

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

#15

הָאֵ֗לֶּה

H428

these or those

#16

וַעֲבָדֻ֑הוּ

H5647

and they shall serve

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

#17

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#18

נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר

H5019

Nebuchadnezzar

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

#19

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

king

a king

#20

בָּבֶ֖ל

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

#21

וַעֲבָדֻ֑הוּ

H5647

and they shall serve

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

#22

וְגַ֛ם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#23

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#24

חַיַּ֥ת

H2416

him the beasts

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#25

הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה

H7704

of the field

a field (as flat)

#26

נָתַ֥תִּי

H5414

I have put

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#27

לֽוֹ׃

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Jeremiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 28 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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