King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 27:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 27:4 in the King James Version says “And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 27:4 · KJV

Context

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.

6

And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

Read Jeremiah 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel—God instructs the envoys to deliver His message to their kings. The title LORD of hosts (Yahweh Tseva'ot, יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת) emphasizes God's supreme military authority over all heavenly and earthly armies. Despite Babylon's apparent supremacy, the God of Israel commands both Babylon and the nations plotting against it. The phrase Thus shall ye say unto your masters establishes that even pagan kings must hear Yahweh's word—they are accountable to Him whether they acknowledge it or not.

The irony is profound: Israel's God addresses foreign kings through their own envoys who had come seeking political alliance. God does not recognize their independence or autonomous authority; He is sovereign over all nations. This passage anticipates Paul's teaching that all earthly authority is established by God and remains under His ultimate jurisdiction (Romans 13:1). The covenant title 'God of Israel' reminds hearers that this message comes from the deity who chose Abraham, delivered Israel from Egypt, and established His kingdom through David—He is no local deity but the Creator who governs history.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The formula 'Thus saith the LORD' (koh amar Yahweh, כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה) was the standard prophetic introduction authenticating divine speech. Foreign nations would have been familiar with prophetic messengers from their own religious contexts, but hearing Yahweh's word directed to their kings through His prophet was unprecedented. Ancient Near Eastern kings claimed divine right to rule, but here Yahweh asserts His authority over them. This challenged the ANE worldview where national deities were thought to have limited territorial jurisdiction. Yahweh's message to these foreign kings demonstrated His universal sovereignty, a theological truth that would be fully revealed in Christ's commission to make disciples of 'all nations' (Matthew 28:19).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the truth that God addresses and holds accountable even pagan rulers affect our understanding of His sovereignty?
  2. What does it mean that God identifies Himself as 'the God of Israel' when speaking to foreign nations?
  3. In what ways should the universal authority of God shape how Christians engage with secular political authorities today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְצִוִּיתָ֣1 of 15

“And command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֹתָ֔ם2 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶל3 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲדֹֽנֵיכֶֽם׃4 of 15

“unto their masters”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

תֹֽאמְר֖וּ5 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּֽה6 of 15
H3541

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

תֹֽאמְר֖וּ7 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֤ה8 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאוֹת֙9 of 15

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י10 of 15

“the God”

H430

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל11 of 15

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כֹּ֥ה12 of 15
H3541

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

תֹֽאמְר֖וּ13 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל14 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲדֹֽנֵיכֶֽם׃15 of 15

“unto their masters”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

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 27:4 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 27:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 10:10Jeremiah 51:19Exodus 5:1Jeremiah 10:16Jeremiah 25:27

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