Chapter 27: The Yoke of Babylon and the Warning Against False Prophets
(22 Pesukim)
Overview
Hashem commands Yermiyahu to deliver a symbolic message of submission to Babylon. Through a yoke placed on his neck, the prophet warns Judah and neighboring nations that resisting Nebuchadnezzar will lead to destruction. False prophets promising quick restoration are exposed as liars, and Hashem affirms that the Temple vessels will remain in Babylon until He decides to restore them.
- The Symbolic Yoke worn by Yirmiyahu (27:1-7)
- At the start of the reign of Yehoiakim the son of Yoshiyahu, Hashem told Yermiyahu to make yoke bars and wear them on his neck.
- The countries it was sent to: Hashem told him to send similar yokes to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their envoys visiting Jerusalem who were sent by Tzidkiyahu the king of Yehuda.
- Rule of Nebuchadnezzar: The following message was handed to these kings: Hashem, Creator of earth and all living things to whom everything belongs, has given these lands to Nebuchadnezzar, His servant. Even wild animals will serve him.
- The Call to Submit (27:8)
- All nations must serve Babylon—Nebuchadnezzar, his son, and grandson—until their appointed time ends.
- Any nation who refuses the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar will face sword, famine, and plague until that nation destroyed.
- Those who submit will remain in their land and live.
- Warning to Judah and Its Leaders (27:9-15)
- Don’t listen to false prophets: Hashem warns the people: Do not listen to prophets claiming Judah will not serve Babylon—they speak lies. “Do not listen to your false prophets or your diviners or your dreams or your soothsayers or your sorcerers, who say to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon.”
- Those who disobey will die: Hashem did not send them; their words will lead to exile and ruin.
- Those who obey will live: The nation that will accept the king of Babylon and serve him, I will allow him to remain on his soil, and dwell on it.
- Warning to Tzidkiyahu: Yermiyahu urges King Tzidkiyahu: “Submit to the king of Babylon and serve him and you shall live. Why choose death for yourself and your people?”
- Do not heed the words of the prophets who say to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon,” for they are prophesying falsely to you. For I have not sent them, and they are prophesying in My name falsely, in order that I drive you out and that you perish, you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.”
- False Hope About Temple Vessels (27:16-22)
- Yermiyahu warns the priests and people to not be swayed by the false prophecies of goodness and blessing:
- Do not believe prophets who say the Temple vessels that were already taken to Bavel will soon return.
- If they are true prophets, let them pray that the remaining vessels of Jerusalem, the Temple and the Kings Palace, not be taken to Bavel.
- Hashem declares:
- The remaining items that are in the Temple and that were not taken when Nebuchadnezzar exiled Yechonya the son of Yehoiakim the king of Jerusalem, will now be exiled. This includes the pillars, the bronze sea, and other furnishings; all will go to Babylon.
- These items will stay there until the day Hashem remembers them and restores them back to their home in Jerusalem.
