In this verse, the Hebrew word that is used for “transgressions” means “rebellion” or “revolt.” It is what a country or province does when it tries to break free from its emperor. Israel was the holy people of God the King, and they stood up against their Great King and thus broke his covenant.
A people that rebels must fall. The Lord has now taken all Jerusalem’s rebellion and laid it on her neck like a yoke. This is part of the curse that Moses had warned them against (Deuteronomy 28:48). The Lord reminded them of this warning by making Jeremiah walk through the streets of the city with a yoke on his neck (Jeremiah 27:1 – 28:17). But they did not listen, and eventually the Lord placed his heavy yoke on them: Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. He and his people are described by Jerusalem in this verse as “those whom I cannot withstand.”
14 “My transgressions were bound into a yoke; by his hand they were fastened together; they were set upon my neck; he caused my strength to fail; the Lord gave me into the hands of those whom I cannot withstand.