Chapter 27 is an account of another prophetic act and its meaning for Judah. It is set soon after the events of 597 and Zedekiah’s ascension to the throne. This means that it took place more than a decade after the events in the previous chapter. Nebuchadnezzar was the supreme ruler over the region. There is evidence in the narrative to suggest that some neighboring nations may have looked to Judah to form an alliance against the Babylonians. This ran counter to the LORD’s plan for the region. Babylon was to have its day in the sun, but its supremacy would not last long.