Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 27

Verse 1

THE SUBJUGATION OF NEIGHBOURING KINGS, 1-11.

1. Jehoiakim A single Codex and the Syriac and Arabic Versions have Zedekiah, and this is manifestly correct. (Compare Jeremiah 27:3; Jeremiah 27:12, and Jeremiah 28:1.) Probably a mistake in transcription arose from confounding this caption with that of the preceding chapter.

Verse 2

2. Bonds and yokes The yoke was made of two curved pieces of wood, placed the one over and the other under the neck of the animal, and fastened together with cords. See Psalms 2:3.

Put them upon thy neck In the manner in which they were worn by animals when used to draw a load. The “yoke,” as here employed, was the appropriate symbol of bondage. This command was literally obeyed. See Jeremiah 28:10. Some hold that Jeremiah obeyed these literally as to himself, but not for the different kings mentioned. But this does great violence to the text, which is as explicit for one as the other.

Verse 3

3. Which come to Jerusalem Probably for the purpose of forming a coalition against the Chaldean power. Hence the position of Jeremiah was a peculiarly trying one, in that he had to stand against this widespread and popular sentiment.

Verse 4

4. Command them to say unto their masters, etc. Here is a specimen of a missionary message of the olden time. God causes his prophet to deliver a message in which his universal creatorship, his unity, and his supremacy are most plainly asserted. He brings to view his universal providence, extending not only to his own chosen people but to all the nations. He intimates that even Nebuchadnezzar, the eminent representative heathen king, rules by the appointment of God, and that his own divine resources would be brought to bear to perpetuate his authority. And yet he does not close without the intimation that Babylon, in its turn, shall become subject.

Verse 7

7. The very time of his land The time when it, too, shall be given to the speller.

Shall serve themselves of him That is, shall make him to serve them.

Son, and his son’s son The actual facts do not certainly accord with this form of expression. Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by his son, and then by his son-in-law, and he by his own son in turn. But the phrase here used is proverbial in form, (see Deuteronomy 6:2,) and only implies the long duration of Nebuchadnezzar’s dynasty.

Verse 9

9. Prophets… diviners… dreamers… enchanters… sorcerers Five kinds of heathen prophecy are here mentioned, and five kings have also been introduced. (See Jeremiah 27:5.) But this correspondence is, without doubt, purely accidental. The only significance to be attached to the fact that so many terms are here employed is, that they suggest and illustrate the variety of delusive schemes for supplying to the people the lack of inspiration. Error is many; truth is one.

Verse 10

10. To remove you This, though not the purpose, would be the result of their counsels: thus bringing about the very consequence they proposed to avert.

Verse 11

11. The nations Literally, the nation.

PREDICTION OF THE SUBJUGATION OF KING ZEDEKIAH, 12-15.

Verse 12

12. To Zedekiah… bring your necks The plural form shows that Zedekiah is addressed in his representative capacity, and that the people are included.

Verse 13

13. Why will ye die Namely, by persisting in that course which, as you have been plainly warned, will lead to inevitable destruction. They cannot successfully resist Nebuchadnezzar, for he is armed with Jehovah’s authority. (Jeremiah 27:6-8.)

Verse 15

15. In my name Thus making God’s name “a plea for lies.” MESSAGE TO THE PRIESTS AND PEOPLE, 16-22.

Verse 16

16. Vessels of the Lord’s house Made by Solomon (1 Kings 7:48-50) and carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. 2 Kings 24:13. They were valuable, not only because of their intrinsic worth, being made of gold, but especially because of their representative character, being devoted to religions uses, so that for them to fall into the possession of a heathen power, and be carried away to a heathen land, was as when the ark of God was captured by the Philistines.

Now shortly Speedily.

From Babylon Literally, from Babylon-ward.

Verse 17

17. Serve the king of Babylon The extreme severity of this message to Jeremiah, who was charged with its delivery, was its seemingly unpatriotic character. He counselled submission to the enemy. But it was in reality the highest and purest patriotism, and he who delivered it was not only a patriot, but a hero.

Verse 18

18. Vessels… left Only the more costly vessels, and those most readily accessible, were at first removed. Those remaining were not only in the temple, but sacred utensils were probably kept in other places also.

Verse 19

19. The pillars Jachin and Boaz. 1 Kings 7:21.

The sea That is, the brazen sea. 1 Kings 7:23.

The bases The frames or pedestals which supported the basins for washing the sacrificial flesh. 1 Kings 7:27.