King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:7 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:7 in the King James Version says “All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.”

Jeremiah 50:7 · KJV

Hope

Context

5

They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.

6

My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace. restingplace: Heb. place to lie down in

7

All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.

8

Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks.

9

For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man ; none shall return in vain. expert: or, destroyer

Read Jeremiah 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All that found them have devoured them—Judah's enemies (matsahem, מְצָאֵיהֶם, those who found them, encountered them) became their predators. The verb 'akal (אָכַל, devoured, consumed) depicts savage, animalistic destruction. Babylon, Edom, Ammon, and others plundered defenseless Judah during exile (Psalm 137:7, Obadiah 11-14).

And their adversaries said, We offend not—the Hebrew lo ne'esham (לֹא נֶאְשָׁם, we are not guilty, we bear no blame) reveals the enemies' theological rationalization. They justified cruelty by claiming divine authorization. Because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice—technically true (Judah did sin), but their conclusion was wrong. They assumed God's discipline meant they could attack with impunity, ignoring that God judges those who excessively punish His people (Zechariah 1:15: 'I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction').

Even the LORD, the hope of their fathers—this phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship. The Hebrew miqveh (מִקְוֶה, hope, expectation) recalls patriarchal faith (Genesis 12:1-3, 26:24, 28:13-15). God remained Israel's hope despite their sin, and would vindicate them by judging their oppressors.

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Historical & Cultural Context

During Judah's exile (586-538 BC), surrounding nations exploited their weakness. Edom seized southern territory (creating lasting bitterness, Obadiah). Ammon and Moab raided settlements. Babylon destroyed cities and enslaved populations. These nations rationalized their cruelty as divine justice—since Judah sinned, God must approve their actions. This parallels how medieval persecutors justified anti-Semitic pogroms or Christian persecution by claiming Jews were 'Christ-killers' deserving punishment. But God's perspective differs: He disciplines His children while punishing those who exceed His mandate or act from malice rather than justice. Isaiah 10:5-15 illustrates this with Assyria—God used them to judge Israel, then judged Assyria for their arrogance and cruelty. The principle stands: God's discipline of His people doesn't authorize others to oppress them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How might we wrongly justify harsh treatment of others by claiming they 'deserve it' for their sin?
  2. What is the difference between God's righteous discipline and human cruelty that exceeds God's mandate?
  3. How does recognizing God as 'the hope of their fathers' despite Israel's sin encourage us when we fail?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כָּל1 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מוֹצְאֵיהֶ֣ם2 of 16

“All that found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אֲכָל֔וּם3 of 16

“them have devoured”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְצָרֵיהֶ֥ם4 of 16

“them and their adversaries”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

אָמְר֖וּ5 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֣א6 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נֶאְשָׁ֑ם7 of 16

“We offend”

H816

to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish

תַּ֗חַת8 of 16
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אֲשֶׁ֨ר9 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חָטְא֤וּ10 of 16

“not because they have sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

יְהוָֽה׃11 of 16

“against the LORD”

H3068

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

נְוֵה12 of 16

“the habitation”

H5116

(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild

צֶ֔דֶק13 of 16

“of justice”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

וּמִקְוֵ֥ה14 of 16

“the hope”

H4723

something waited for, i.e., a collection, i.e., (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) a caravan or drove

אֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם15 of 16

“of their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 16

“against the LORD”

H3068

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

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 50:7 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 50:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 14:8Jeremiah 2:3Jeremiah 40:2-3Jeremiah 31:23Zechariah 11:5Jeremiah 50:17

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