Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 27:8. It's a really powerful and dramatic passage about God’s judgment on a nation that doesn’t submit to Babylon. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: God is saying that if a people doesn’t obey Him and follow His rules, He will use very severe consequences – violence and hardship – to punish them. It's essentially a warning about the potential for complete destruction if they don’t listen to God’s guidance. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Jeremiah 27:8” : This is the specific verse we're focusing on. It’s a prophecy from a prophet named Jeremiah. “And it shall come to pass…” : This phrase means “it will happen.” This isn’t just a prediction; it’s a promise of what will occur. “[that] the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon…” : This is the key point. It refers to a specific group of people – likely the Israelites – who are currently under Babylonian rule. “Nebuchadnezzar” was a powerful king in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). This verse focuses on a particular nation that isn’t willing to submit to Babylon's authority. “and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon…” : The “yoke” is a metaphor for oppressive rule, control, and slavery. The people aren't just passively accepting Babylonian laws; they are being forced into servitude. “that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence…” : This is where the consequences become terrifyingly clear. God isn’t just going to tell them to obey. He’s going to forcefully punish them with violence – swords, famine, and disease – until he completes his judgment. “until I have consumed them by his hand.” : This is a powerful statement about God's ultimate purpose. He intends to completely destroy this nation, leaving no survivors. What’s the meaning behind it? This verse speaks to a deep concern for Israel’s future and warns of a very serious threat to their freedom and prosperity. It highlights that God is not indifferent; he will actively intervene to protect His people from destruction. It's a sobering reminder of divine justice and the potential consequences of disobedience. Important Note: The context of this verse was in a time of great political and religious upheaval for Israel. It was a warning about the dangers of rebellion against God’s rule. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a biblical scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of the text and should not be taken as definitive theological analysis. Do you have any specific aspects of this verse you'd like me to elaborate on? For example, would you like me to: Explain the symbolism behind the "yoke"? Discuss the context of the prophecy in ancient times?