King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 27:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 27:3 in the King James Version says “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,... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 27:3 · 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

5

I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—Jeremiah addresses envoys from five neighboring kingdoms who had come to Jerusalem to discuss rebellion against Babylon. The Hebrew shalach (שָׁלַח, send) indicates deliberate dispatch of a message. These nations—Edom (Esau's descendants), Moab and Ammon (Lot's descendants), and the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon—were all considering anti-Babylonian coalition. The symbolic act of sending yokes (v. 2) to their kings demonstrated that resistance was futile; Nebuchadnezzar's dominion was ordained by God Himself.

The phrase by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah reveals the political context: Zedekiah was hosting envoys plotting rebellion (circa 594 BC), only eleven years after Jehoiakim's failed revolt led to the first deportation. God commands Jeremiah to deliver an unwelcome message: submission to Babylon was not cowardice but obedience to divine sovereignty. This countered nationalistic fervor and false prophetic promises of quick deliverance. The nations listed represented a formidable coalition, yet God declared their plans would fail because He had given these lands to Nebuchadnezzar (v. 6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy occurred around 594 BC during Zedekiah's reign (597-586 BC). The envoys' presence in Jerusalem suggests an organized resistance movement against Babylonian hegemony. Egypt, under Pharaoh Psammetichus II (595-589 BC), was likely encouraging this coalition as part of their anti-Babylonian policy. The archaeological record confirms Nebuchadnezzar campaigned extensively in Syria-Palestine during this period, suppressing revolts. Zedekiah's eventual rebellion (588 BC) led to Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC, vindicating Jeremiah's warning. The Lachish Letters (contemporary Hebrew inscriptions) reflect the desperate final days when Judah ignored God's prophet and trusted in military alliances instead of divine guidance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty over pagan empires challenge our assumptions about political power and national autonomy?
  2. When has God called you to 'submit' to difficult circumstances rather than resist them, and how did you respond?
  3. What distinguishes godly patience under adversity from passive resignation to evil?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְשִׁלַּחְתָּם֩1 of 25

And send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶל2 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֥לֶךְ3 of 25

and to the king

H4428

a king

אֱד֜וֹם4 of 25

of Edom

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

וְאֶל5 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֥לֶךְ6 of 25

and to the king

H4428

a king

מוֹאָ֗ב7 of 25

of Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וְאֶל8 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֥לֶךְ9 of 25

and to the king

H4428

a king

בְּנֵ֣י10 of 25

of the Ammonites

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֔וֹן11 of 25
H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וְאֶל12 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֥לֶךְ13 of 25

and to the king

H4428

a king

צֹ֖ר14 of 25

of Tyrus

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

וְאֶל15 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֥לֶךְ16 of 25

and to the king

H4428

a king

צִיד֑וֹן17 of 25

of Zidon

H6721

tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine

בְּיַ֤ד18 of 25

by the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מַלְאָכִים֙19 of 25

of the messengers

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

הַבָּאִ֣ים20 of 25

which come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם21 of 25

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֶל22 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

צִדְקִיָּ֖הוּ23 of 25

unto Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

מֶ֥לֶךְ24 of 25

and to the king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָֽה׃25 of 25

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory


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 27:3 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 27:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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