For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.

JEREMIAH 28:14KJV
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Jeremiah 28:14 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 28:14 mean?

Jeremiah 28:14 means that God has decided to place a strong and unbreakable control—described as a "yoke of iron"—over several nations, forcing them to serve Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and even giving him authority over the animals in their lands. This verse declares that these nations will have no choice but to submit to Babylon’s rule because God Himself has determined it.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Judah and other nations during a time when Babylon was rising in power. The "yoke of iron" is a symbol of harsh and unavoidable domination. Jeremiah is responding to false prophets who claimed Babylon’s rule would soon end, making it clear that God’s decision is firm and total, affecting both people and the natural world.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 28:14

  • "Yoke" (עֹל, ʿol): This word means a wooden bar placed on animals to control them, but here it is called a "yoke of iron" (בַּרְזֶל, barzel), stressing that Babylon’s control will be especially harsh and impossible to break.
  • "Serve" (עָבַד, ʿavad): This word means to work for or be subject to someone. In this context, it shows that the nations will be forced into service, not by choice but by God’s command.
  • "Given" (נָתַן, natan): This word means to hand over or deliver. God says He has "given" even the beasts of the field to Nebuchadnezzar, showing the extent of Babylon’s authority.

Why Jeremiah 28:14 matters

  • Jeremiah 28:14 corrects the false hope spread by other prophets who claimed Babylon’s rule would be short-lived, making it clear that God’s plan is for a long and unbreakable period of Babylonian control.
  • The verse emphasizes that God, not Babylon, is ultimately in charge of world events, and that even powerful rulers like Nebuchadnezzar act within God’s will.
  • By mentioning the "beasts of the field," Jeremiah 28:14 shows how complete Babylon’s domination will be, affecting every part of life, not just human society.

Where else these words appear

“yoke” Hebrew H5923 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 27:40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
  • 2 Chronicles 10:4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
  • Jeremiah 27:8 And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

“neck” Hebrew H6677 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
  • Job 15:26 He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:
  • Jeremiah 27:8 And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

“Nebuchadnezzar” Hebrew H5019 · used in 59 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 44:30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.

“iron” Hebrew H1270 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • 2 Samuel 23:7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
  • Psalms 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;