King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 27:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 27:2 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck, saith: or, hath the LORD said” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck, saith: or, hath the LORD said”

Jeremiah 27:2 · KJV

Context

1

In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

2

Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck, saith: or, hath the LORD said

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;

4

And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters; to say: or, concerning their masters, saying

Read Jeremiah 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes—The Hebrew מוֹסֵרוֹת וּמֹטוֹת (moserot umotot, 'bonds and yokes') refers to the wooden frame and leather straps that harnessed oxen for plowing. God commands Jeremiah to craft this agricultural equipment as prophetic symbolism. The yoke represented subjugation, forced labor, and loss of autonomy—deeply offensive imagery for a proud nation. Prophetic sign-acts throughout Scripture communicate divine truth through visual demonstration (Isaiah 20:2-4, Ezekiel 4:1-3, Hosea 1:2-3), making the message memorable and unavoidable.

And put them upon thy neck—Jeremiah must personally wear the yoke, becoming a living sermon. The image of God's prophet in oxen's harness dramatically proclaimed submission to Babylon as God's will. This wasn't mere pantomime but costly obedience—Jeremiah would appear foolish, treasonous, and defeatist to observers. The physical discomfort of wearing wooden yokes reinforced the message's seriousness. Jesus later used yoke imagery positively: 'Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me' (Matthew 11:29), transforming the symbol of subjugation into willing discipleship. The contrast is instructive: Babylon's yoke was God's judgment; Christ's yoke is gracious discipline leading to rest.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The context (vv. 3-11) reveals this symbolic act occurred when ambassadors from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon met in Jerusalem to plot rebellion against Babylon. Nationalist fervor ran high, with false prophets promising Babylon's imminent collapse. Into this conspiracy, Jeremiah appeared wearing oxen's yokes, proclaiming submission as God's will. This required extraordinary courage—advocating surrender to the enemy during wartime planning could be prosecuted as treason. Yet Jeremiah prioritized God's revealed word over patriotic sentiment, demonstrating that God's people must sometimes oppose their nation's policies when those policies contradict divine will.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's command for Jeremiah to wear yokes teach about the costliness of prophetic obedience and faithful witness?
  2. How does Jeremiah's symbolic submission to Babylon challenge our tendency to conflate nationalism with faithfulness to God?
  3. In what ways does Jesus' reframing of the yoke (Matthew 11:29) transform our understanding of submission to divine authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
כֹּֽה1 of 11
H3541

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

אָמַ֤ר2 of 11

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙3 of 11

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֵלַ֔י4 of 11
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֲשֵׂ֣ה5 of 11

“to me Make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְךָ֔6 of 11
H0
מוֹסֵר֖וֹת7 of 11

“thee bonds”

H4147

properly, chastisement, i.e., (by implication) a halter; figuratively, restraint

וּמֹט֑וֹת8 of 11

“and yokes”

H4133

a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative)

וּנְתַתָּ֖ם9 of 11

“and put”

H5414

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

עַל10 of 11
H5921

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

צַוָּארֶֽךָ׃11 of 11

“them upon thy neck”

H6677

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 27:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 27:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 7:1Jeremiah 28:10-14Jeremiah 27:12Jeremiah 18:2-10Ezekiel 4:1-5Amos 7:4

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