All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "until the time of his own land comes" isn't just about Babylon's eventual downfall; it highlights that even powerful empires have an appointed end, a divine deadline that cannot be outrun. This means Nebuchadnezzar's vast dominion, though seemingly permanent, is on a clock, and eventually, even kings will "serve themselves of him," turning the tables of power.
All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah, acting out a powerful prophetic sign involving yokes, has just declared that all surrounding nations will be forced to serve the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, and his descendants. This verse explains that this period of Babylonian dominance, extending to Nebuchadnezzar's grandson, will last until a specific appointed time for Babylon itself. After that, Babylon will fall and be subjugated by a coalition of great nations and kings.
Empires rise and fall. But who's really in charge? This verse reveals a divine perspective on the destiny of nations, showing that even the mightiest kings are instruments in God's grander plan.
Jeremiah 27:7 speaks of nations serving Nebuchadnezzar, his son, and his grandson. This isn't just a historical observation; it's a declaration of God's sovereignty. Even though Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful and often brutal conqueror, his dynasty and kingdom were ultimately under God's control.
The Limits of Human Power
What goes around, comes around. This verse holds a dramatic twist, revealing that the masters of today can become the servants of tomorrow, all under God's watchful eye.
The verse doesn't just end with Nebuchadnezzar's dynasty serving others. It pivots sharply: 'Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.' This is the crucial turning point.
Divine Reversal
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This prophecy points to the Babylonian empire's dominion, emphasizing that even its great kings, including Nebuchadnezzar, his son Evil-merodach, and grandson Belshazzar, would ultimately serve other powers until their own kingdom's appointed time of judgment.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and Jerusalem, deporting some of the royal family and leading citizens, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Babylonian dominance over Judah.
c. 561 BC
Death of Nebuchadnezzar
The mighty Nebuchadnezzar, who reigned for over 40 years and expanded his empire significantly, dies. He is succeeded by his son, Evil-merodach.
c. 560-558 BC
Reign of Evil-merodach
Nebuchadnezzar's son, Evil-merodach, rules for a little over two years before being assassinated. He is noted in the Bible for releasing King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison.
c. 555 BC— this verse
Rise of Nabonidus
After a brief rule by Neriglissar and his son, Nabonidus (also referred to as Nabonedus) seizes the throne. He later makes his son, Belshazzar, co-regent.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Medo-Persian forces, led by Cyrus the Great, conquer Babylon. This event marks the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and fulfills the prophecies of its eventual subjugation.
This passage speaks about Nebuchadnezzar's own recognition that God gives kingdoms to whomever he wills, directly paralleling the idea in Jeremiah that kingdoms are subject to divine timing and sovereignty.
Daniel 5:18-28This vividly illustrates the 'time of his own land' mentioned in Jeremiah 27:7, showing the downfall of Belshazzar and the transfer of Babylon's kingdom, fulfilling the prophecy of nations serving themselves of the Babylonian empire.
Isaiah 14:24-27This prophecy against Assyria, but with broader application to empires that oppress, echoes the theme of God's sovereign plan and his power to break the yoke of even mighty kings and nations.
Jeremiah 25:11-12This foundational prophecy establishes the seventy years of Babylonian dominance, providing the temporal context for the rise and fall of Nebuchadnezzar's dynasty and the subsequent judgment on Babylon itself.
pooleJeremiah 27:7: "And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him."
All nations shall serve him; that is, all these nations; and some think that it is expressed in the article used here demonstratively, though not so taken notice of by our translators. And his son, and his son’s son ; and Evil-merodach his son, who succeeded him, Jeremiah 52:31 , and Belshazzar his grandchild…
pulpitJeremiah 27:7: "And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him."
Verse 7. - Him, and his son, and his son's son. This is intelligible only if the seventy years predicted by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 25:11, 12, 29:10, are a round number. Nebuchadnezzar died in B.C. 561, and was succeeded by his son Evil-Merodach, who, after two years, was put to death by Neriglissar. In B.C. 5…
The phrase "until the time of his own land comes" isn't just about Babylon's eventual downfall; it highlights that even powerful empires have an appointed end, a divine deadline that cannot be outrun. This means Nebuchadnezzar's vast dominion, though seemingly permanent, is on a clock, and eventually, even kings will "serve themselves of him," turning the tables of power.
Jeremiah, acting out a powerful prophetic sign involving yokes, has just declared that all surrounding nations will be forced to serve the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, and his descendants. This verse explains that this period of Babylonian dominance, extending to Nebuchadnezzar's grandson, will last until a specific appointed time for Babylon itself. After that, Babylon will fall and be subjugated by a coalition of great nations and kings.
Jeremiah, acting out a powerful prophetic sign involving yokes, has just declared that all surrounding nations will be forced to serve the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, and his descendants. This verse explains that this period of Babylonian dominance, extending to Nebuchadnezzar's grandson, will last until a specific appointed time for Babylon itself. After that, Babylon will fall and be subjugated by a coalition of great nations and kings.
"All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave." — The phrase "until the time of his own land comes" isn't just about Babylon's eventual downfall; it highlights that even powerful empires have an appointed end, a divine deadline that cannot be outrun…
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Last reviewed October 2026