ירמיהו, פרק כ״ז, פסוק ג׳

During a time of regional political unrest, a coalition begins to form against the Babylonian Empire. Representatives from neighboring kingdoms gather in Jerusalem to plan a joint rebellion. In response, the prophet is instructed to deliver a sharp, physical message to the rulers of these nations. He is told to send bonds and yokes through the special foreign envoys who have traveled to Jerusalem [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These objects serve as a powerful warning, symbolizing the absolute necessity of submitting to Babylon [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The timing of this event presents a historical puzzle, as the prophecy was originally given during the early days of Jehoiakim's rule, yet Zedekiah is the king involved. One approach suggests that God informed the prophet about sending the yokes well in advance, during Jehoiakim's reign, but the actual distribution did not take place until years later when Zedekiah took the throne [מצודת דוד]. It is possible that the prophet kept the yokes with him, perhaps even wearing them on his own neck, until the proper time arrived to send them [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This specific gathering occurred in the fourth year of Zedekiah's reign, a time when Nebuchadnezzar had appointed Zedekiah as the supreme ruler over these five neighboring kings. The heavy burden of Babylonian rule remained on them for fifteen consecutive years until it was eventually broken by Hananiah son of Azzur [רש״י].

An alternative perspective resolves the timeline by looking at the practical political situation during Jehoiakim's era. According to this view, Nebuchadnezzar had already appointed Zedekiah as a viceroy while Jehoiakim was still in power. Because Zedekiah was actively managing royal affairs, he was already recognized with a royal title. Therefore, the foreign messengers came directly to him to forge an alliance and plot their rebellion against Babylon, prompting the prophet's immediate warning against such a dangerous move [מלבי״ם].