Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.

JEREMIAH 50:33KJV
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Jeremiah 50:33 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 50:33 mean?

Jeremiah 50:33 says that both the people of Israel and Judah were suffering under oppression together, and those who had taken them captive refused to release them. The verse highlights that their captors were determined to keep them in bondage, not allowing them any freedom.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to describe the situation of His people during a time when both the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah) had been conquered and taken into exile. The verse sets the stage for God’s coming judgment against Babylon, the nation that held them captive, by emphasizing the harshness and stubbornness of their oppressors.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 50:33

  • "Oppressed" (עָשַׁק, ʿashaq) means to mistreat or wrong someone, often with a sense of violence or injustice. This word shows that the suffering of Israel and Judah was not just captivity, but harsh and unfair treatment.
  • "Captives" (שָׁבָה, shavah) refers to people taken by force, usually in war. The use of this word underlines that Israel and Judah were not just subjects, but prisoners held against their will.
  • "Held them fast" (חָזַק, chazaq) means to hold tightly or restrain. Here, it emphasizes the determination of the captors to keep control over the Israelites and Judeans.
  • "Refused" (מָאֵן, ma’en) means to be unwilling or to reject. This word makes clear that the captors were not open to negotiation or mercy—they deliberately chose not to let their captives go.

Why Jeremiah 50:33 matters

  • Jeremiah 50:33 clarifies that both Israel and Judah, though historically divided, shared the same fate of oppression and captivity, showing their unity in suffering.
  • The verse emphasizes the stubbornness of the captors, which sets up the need for God’s intervention and the promise of future deliverance in the following verses.
  • Understanding the harshness described here helps the reader see why God’s judgment against Babylon is portrayed as just and necessary in the wider context of Jeremiah 50.

Where else these words appear

“oppressed” Hebrew H6231 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • Psalms 72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
  • Isaiah 23:12 And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.

“refused” Hebrew H3985 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 37:35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
  • 1 Samuel 8:19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
  • Proverbs 21:7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

“captives” Hebrew H7617 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • 1 Kings 8:47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
  • 2 Chronicles 28:11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.

“together” Hebrew H3162 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
  • Job 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
  • Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.