Old Testament

Jeremiah 27:2

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

The LORD told me, "Make a set of straps and yoke bars, and put them around your neck.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

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

What Jeremiah 27:2 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In Jeremiah 27:2, God instructs the prophet Jeremiah to create a yoke, which is a wooden frame used to harness animals for work. This act symbolizes the coming oppression and subjugation of the people of Judah under foreign powers, particularly Babylon. By wearing the yoke, Jeremiah physically demonstrates the message that the people must submit to God's will and the authority of the Babylonian king. The yoke represents both the burden of captivity and the necessity of obedience to God’s plan. This prophetic action serves as a vivid reminder that God is in control, even in times of hardship, and that the people should not resist but rather accept their circumstances as part of God's larger purpose. The imagery of the yoke also conveys the idea of being bound to something, whether it be God’s commands or the consequences of disobedience. Through this act, Jeremiah communicates a powerful message about humility, submission, and the importance of recognizing God’s sovereignty in difficult times.

How to apply Jeremiah 27:2 to your life

This verse encourages us to recognize the authority of God in our lives. Just as Jeremiah wore the yoke to symbolize submission, we should be willing to accept God's guidance and direction, even when it leads us through challenging circumstances. Trusting in God's plan can bring peace amid trials.

Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of Naomi weeping between her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah outside a house in Moab

Illustrated scene from Ruth's story: Three Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Ruth

Panoramic view across Tel Beer Sheva archaeological site and surrounding landscape.

Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Beersheba

Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Jeremiah 27:2

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Jeremiah 27:2

At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah

Author
Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
Written
Around 600 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Judah before and during the Babylonian exile

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jeremiah 27:2 mean?

Jeremiah 27:2 means that God instructed the prophet Jeremiah to create a yoke to symbolize the coming oppression of Judah by Babylon. This act represents the necessity for the people to submit to God's will and the authority of foreign powers.

What is the significance of the yoke in Jeremiah 27:2?

The yoke in Jeremiah 27:2 symbolizes the burden of captivity and the need for obedience to God’s plan. It serves as a physical representation of the people's subjugation and the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty.

How does Jeremiah 27:2 relate to submission to authority?

Jeremiah 27:2 illustrates the concept of submission to authority by showing that the people of Judah must accept their circumstances as part of God's plan. The yoke symbolizes their need to yield to both God's will and the authority of the Babylonian king.

What lesson can we learn from Jeremiah 27:2?

From Jeremiah 27:2, we learn the importance of accepting God's guidance, even in difficult times. The verse encourages trust in God's plan and highlights the value of humility and submission to His authority.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.