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Jeremiah 27:17

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 27:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city become a desolation?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city become a desolation?
Jeremiah 27:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon; for they prophesy a lie unto you.
15For I have not sent them, saith Jehovah, but they prophesy falsely in my name; that I may drive you out, and that ye may perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.
16Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of Jehovah`s house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon; for they prophesy a lie unto you.
17Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city become a desolation?
18But if they be prophets, and if the word of Jehovah be with them, let them now make intercession to Jehovah of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of Jehovah, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.
19For thus saith Jehovah of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that are left in this city,
20which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
← Jeremiah 27:16Jeremiah 27:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hearken not unto them, etc.] The false prophets: serve the king of Babylon, and live; pay homage and tribute to him; which is the way to live in your own land, and enjoy the benefits of that, and of the temple worship; which, if not, you will be utterly deprived of: wherefore should this city be laid waste? as it certainly will, should you rebel against the king of Babylon; and as it was in a few years after, when they did.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“serve: Jer 27:11, Jer 27:12 wherefore: Jer 27:13, Jer 38:17, Jer 38:23 Jeremiah 27:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification