Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, “Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live. New Living Translation Then I repeated this same message to King Zedekiah of Judah. “If you want to live, submit to the yoke of the king of Babylon and his people. English Standard Version To Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke in like manner: “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people and live. Berean Standard Bible And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live! King James Bible I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. New King James Version I also spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live! New American Standard Bible I spoke words like all these to Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him and his people, and live! NASB 1995 I spoke words like all these to Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him and his people, and live! NASB 1977 And I spoke words like all these to Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live! Legacy Standard Bible I spoke words like all these to Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him and his people, and live! Amplified Bible I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah in the same way, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him and his people, and live! Christian Standard Bible I spoke to King Zedekiah of Judah in the same way: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, serve him and his people, and live! Holman Christian Standard Bible I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah in the same way: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, serve him and his people, and live! American Standard Version And I spake to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Contemporary English Version After I had spoken to the officials from the nearby kingdoms, I went to King Zedekiah and told him the same thing. Then I said: Zedekiah, if you and the people of Judah want to stay alive, you must obey Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. English Revised Version And I spake to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. GOD'S WORD® Translation I spoke the same message to King Zedekiah of Judah, "Surrender to the king of Babylon, serve him and his people, and you will stay alive. Good News Translation I said the same thing to King Zedekiah of Judah, "Submit to the king of Babylonia. Serve him and his people, and you will live. International Standard Version I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah using words like these: "Bring your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon. Serve him and his people, and you will live! NET Bible I told King Zedekiah of Judah the same thing. I said, "Submit to the yoke of servitude to the king of Babylon. Be subject to him and his people. Then you will continue to live. New Heart English Bible I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, "Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Webster's Bible Translation I spoke also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live! World English Bible I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I have spoken to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, “Cause your necks to enter into the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Young's Literal Translation And unto Zedekiah king of Judah I have spoken according to all these words, saying, 'Cause your necks to enter into the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Smith's Literal Translation And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spake according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks into the yoke of the king of Babel, and serve him and his people, and live. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I spoke to Sedecias the king of Juda according to all these words, saying: Bend down your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, and his people, and you shall live. Catholic Public Domain Version And I spoke to Zedekiah, the king of Judah, according to all these words, saying: “Subject your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and you will live. New American Bible To Zedekiah, king of Judah, I spoke the same words: Bend your necks to the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, so that you may live. New Revised Standard Version I spoke to King Zedekiah of Judah in the same way: Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI spoke also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people and live; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I spoke to Tsedeqia, King of Judea, according to all these words, and I said: “Put your necks in the yoke of the King of Babel and work for him and his people, and live! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying: 'Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Brenton Septuagint Translation I spoke also to Sedekias king of Juda according to all these words, saying, Put your neck into the yoke, and serve the king of Babylon. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Yoke of Nebuchadnezzar…11But the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave in its own land, to cultivate it and reside in it, declares the LORD.” 12And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live! 13Why should you and your people die by sword and famine and plague, as the LORD has decreed against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon?… Cross References Romans 13:1-2 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. Daniel 4:17 This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’ Proverbs 8:15-16 By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; / By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Titus 3:1 Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Ezra 7:26 If anyone does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a strict judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment. Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. Matthew 22:21 “Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” 2 Chronicles 36:11-13 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD. / He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel. Nehemiah 9:26-27 But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies. / So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies. 2 Kings 24:12 Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. Ezekiel 17:12-14 “Now say to this rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, carried off its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon. / He took a member of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he carried away the leading men of the land, / so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant. Treasury of Scripture I spoke also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Zedekiah. Jeremiah 27:3 And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah; Jeremiah 28:1 And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, Jeremiah 38:17 Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: bring. Jeremiah 27:2,8 Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck, … Jump to Previous Babylon Bow Cause Enter Judah Live Manner Neck Necks Servants Serve Words Yoke Zedekiah Zedeki'ahJump to Next Babylon Bow Cause Enter Judah Live Manner Neck Necks Servants Serve Words Yoke Zedekiah Zedeki'ahJeremiah 27 1. By the type of bonds and yokes he prophesies the subduing of the neighbor kings8. He exhorts them to yield, and not to believe the false prophets. 12. The like he does to Zedekiah. 19. He foretells the remnant of the vessels shall be carried to Babylon, And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: Jeremiah addresses Zedekiah, the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. Zedekiah's reign (597-586 BC) was marked by political instability and pressure from surrounding nations. Jeremiah's message to Zedekiah is consistent with his previous prophecies, emphasizing submission to Babylon as God's will. This reflects the broader theme of divine sovereignty and the consequences of disobedience. Zedekiah's reluctance to heed Jeremiah's warnings ultimately led to the fall of Jerusalem, as recorded in 2 Kings 25. Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon: serve him and his people, and live!: Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. He is known for his perseverance in delivering God's messages despite opposition. 2. Zedekiah The last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. He was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and struggled with the decision to submit to Babylonian rule. 3. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing imminent conquest by Babylon due to its disobedience to God. 4. Babylon A powerful empire under King Nebuchadnezzar, used by God as an instrument of judgment against Judah for its idolatry and rebellion. 5. The Yoke A symbol of submission and servitude. In this context, it represents the call for Judah to submit to Babylonian rule as a means of survival. Teaching Points Submission to God's DisciplineJust as Judah was called to submit to Babylon, we are called to submit to God's discipline in our lives. Recognizing His sovereignty can lead to spiritual growth and preservation. The Consequences of Rebellion Zedekiah's resistance to God's command through Jeremiah led to destruction. Rebellion against God's will can have dire consequences in our lives. Trust in God's Sovereignty Even in difficult circumstances, trusting in God's plan is crucial. He uses even challenging situations for His purposes and our ultimate good. The Role of Prophets and God's Word Jeremiah's role as a prophet reminds us of the importance of heeding God's Word. We should seek and listen to God's guidance through Scripture and prayer. Living in Exile Like Judah, Christians are often called to live faithfully in a world that is not their home. We must navigate this with wisdom and obedience to God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 27:12?2. How does Jeremiah 27:12 emphasize submission to God's appointed authorities? 3. What lessons from Jeremiah 27:12 apply to respecting current governmental leaders? 4. How does Romans 13:1-2 relate to Jeremiah 27:12's message on authority? 5. In what ways can we practice obedience to God's will today? 6. How does Jeremiah 27:12 challenge our understanding of God's sovereignty over nations? 7. What does Jeremiah 27:12 reveal about God's sovereignty over nations and rulers? 8. How does Jeremiah 27:12 challenge our understanding of obedience to authority? 9. Why did God command submission to Nebuchadnezzar in Jeremiah 27:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 27? 11. What scientific or historical data supports Jeremiah 21's timeframe and events, given the lack of external records mentioning these specific warnings to King Zedekiah? 12. In Jeremiah 38:4, why would seemingly devoted leaders seek to kill a prophet whom God had consistently used to speak truth? 13. How do we reconcile Jeremiah's condemnation of Hananiah (Jeremiah 28) with other biblical texts where God tolerates or uses unexpected prophets to deliver messages? 14. Jeremiah 40:5–6 – How historically plausible is it that Jeremiah traveled freely to live with Gedaliah despite the chaos of the Babylonian occupation? What Does Jeremiah 27:12 Mean And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same messageJeremiah repeats to the newly installed monarch exactly what he has just told the envoys of the surrounding nations (Jeremiah 27:3-4). God’s word is unchanging whether it is delivered to commoners, foreign kings, or Judah’s own ruler (Malachi 3:6). Zedekiah’s throne exists only because Nebuchadnezzar placed him there after taking Jehoiachin captive (2 Kings 24:17); Jeremiah reminds him that the LORD, not political maneuvering, controls that arrangement (Jeremiah 27:5-7). This consistency underscores a timeless truth—when God speaks, He expects every listener to respond in humble obedience (James 1:22). Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon Earlier in the chapter Jeremiah literally wears a wooden yoke to dramatize God’s decree (Jeremiah 27:2). The image is not poetic license; it is a call to literal submission to Babylon’s rule. Scripture often portrays a yoke as servitude (Leviticus 26:13) or discipline (Lamentations 3:27). Here it is both: God disciplines Judah for covenant unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 28:47-48) by placing the nation under Nebuchadnezzar’s authority (Jeremiah 25:9). Refusing that yoke would be fighting against the LORD Himself (Jeremiah 27:8; 28:14). The principle echoes Romans 13:1—earthly authorities exist by God’s appointment. Serve him and his people Submission is more than passive resignation. God instructs Judah actively to “serve” the Babylonian administration, echoing His later letter to the exiles: “seek the peace of the city” (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Daniel and his friends model this service: they work faithfully within Babylonian structures while staying loyal to God (Daniel 1:17-20; 2:48-49). By serving Nebuchadnezzar, Judah becomes a witness to the true King’s sovereignty (Jeremiah 27:6). Obedient service under pagan authority does not compromise faith; it demonstrates trust that God can advance His purposes through unlikely rulers (Proverbs 21:1). And live! The command carries a gracious promise. Compliance would spare the nation from sword, famine, and pestilence (Jeremiah 27:13, 17). In practical terms, surrender meant survival, just as earlier the people were offered life if they went out to the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 21:9; 38:2). God’s discipline is always aimed at restoration, not destruction (Hebrews 12:10-11). Even in judgment, He sets before His people the choice of life or death (Deuteronomy 30:19). Those who trust His word enough to obey will find His mercies new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). summary Jeremiah 27:12 calls Judah’s king—and by extension the nation—to accept God-ordained discipline by submitting to Babylon. The yoke is literal and timely, yet it teaches an enduring lesson: life and blessing flow from humble obedience to the LORD, even when He works through uncomfortable or hostile authorities. Choosing submission over resistance is choosing life, because it aligns the believer with God’s sovereign plan and opens the door for His mercy to prevail. (12) I spake also to Zedekiah . . .--There was, as we see in Jeremiah 28:13, a party of resistance in Judah also, and they, too, were trusting in delusive prophecies of the overthrow of the Chaldaean monarchy. Sadly and earnestly the prophet pleads with them in the question, "Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword . . .?Verses 12-15. - But the warnings of Jeremiah were not confined, far from it, to the neighboring kings. Zedekiah had received a precisely similar message. Bring your necks. The plural is used, for Zedekiah was but an individual among a number of much more vigorous personalities (comp. on Jeremiah 22:2).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And toוְאֶל־ (wə·’el-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Zedekiah צִדְקִיָּ֤ה (ṣiḏ·qî·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6667: Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Judah יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites I spoke דִּבַּ֔רְתִּי (dib·bar·tî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue the same כְּכָל־ (kə·ḵāl-) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every message: הַדְּבָרִ֥ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause “Put הָבִ֨יאוּ (hā·ḇî·’ū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go your necks צַוְּארֵיכֶ֜ם (ṣaw·wə·rê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 6677: The back of the neck under the yoke בְּעֹ֣ל (bə·‘ōl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5923: A yoke of the king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Babylon; בָּבֶ֗ל (bā·ḇel) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city serve וְעִבְד֥וּ (wə·‘iḇ·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave him and his people, וְעַמּ֖וֹ (wə·‘am·mōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock and live! וִֽחְיֽוּ׃ (wiḥ·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 2421: To live, to revive Links Jeremiah 27:12 NIVJeremiah 27:12 NLT Jeremiah 27:12 ESV Jeremiah 27:12 NASB Jeremiah 27:12 KJV Jeremiah 27:12 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 27:12 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 27:12 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 27:12 French Bible Jeremiah 27:12 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 27:12 I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah (Jer.) |
    |