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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹֽה
H3541
כֹֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 27
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֨ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
5 of 27
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 27
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
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עֹ֣ל
a yoke
H5923
עֹ֣ל
a yoke
Strong's:
H5923
Word #:
8 of 27
a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively
בַּרְזֶ֡ל
of iron
H1270
בַּרְזֶ֡ל
of iron
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
9 of 27
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
נָתַ֥תִּי
I have put
H5414
נָתַ֥תִּי
I have put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
צַוַּ֣אר׀
upon the neck
H6677
צַוַּ֣אר׀
upon the neck
Strong's:
H6677
Word #:
12 of 27
the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִ֣ם
of all these nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֣ם
of all these nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
14 of 27
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וַעֲבָדֻ֑הוּ
and they shall serve
H5647
וַעֲבָדֻ֑הוּ
and they shall serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
16 of 27
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר
Nebuchadnezzar
H5019
נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר
Nebuchadnezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
18 of 27
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
בָּבֶ֖ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֖ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
20 of 27
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וַעֲבָדֻ֑הוּ
and they shall serve
H5647
וַעֲבָדֻ֑הוּ
and they shall serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
21 of 27
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וְגַ֛ם
H1571
וְגַ֛ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַיַּ֥ת
him the beasts
H2416
חַיַּ֥ת
him the beasts
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
24 of 27
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar's empire (605-539 BC) dominated the ancient Near East comprehensively, from Egypt to Elam. Daniel 2:37-38 explicitly states God gave Nebuchadnezzar this universal dominion. Jeremiah's counsel to submit wasn't political defeatism but theological realism—recognizing God's sovereignty over international affairs. Other prophets (Habakkuk, Ezekiel) similarly acknowledged Babylon as divine instrument.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you recognize when opposition to human powers actually opposes God's purposes?
- What does it mean that God uses wicked instruments to accomplish His righteous purposes?
- When might submission to unjust authorities reflect wisdom rather than compromise?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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 (כִּי־כֹה אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת...עֹל בַּרְזֶל נָתַתִּי עַל־צַוַּאר כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה לַעֲבֹד אֶת־נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל וַעֲבָדֻהוּ, ki-khoh amar YHWH tseva'ot...ol barzel natatti al-tsavvar kol-haggoyim ha'eleh la'avod et-n'vukhadnetsar melekh-bavel va'avaduhu)—God explicitly claims authorship of Babylon's dominance: I have put (נָתַתִּי, natatti) the iron yoke. The verb עָבַד (avad, 'serve') appears twice—that they may serve...and they shall serve—emphasizing inevitability. Even beasts of the field (חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה, chayyat hassadeh) are given to Nebuchadnezzar, echoing Daniel 2:38's vision of Babylonian empire.
This theology is crucial: Babylon isn't merely human empire succeeding through military might; it's divine instrument of judgment. God has actively placed nations under Babylonian rule for specific purposes. Resisting Babylon equals resisting God's appointed judgment. This doesn't make Babylon righteous (God later judges Babylon too, Jer 50-51), but it makes current submission wise. Sometimes God uses wicked instruments to discipline His people; opposing the instrument means opposing the Discipliner.