King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 10:25 Mean?

Jeremiah 10:25 in the King James Version says “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have ea... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

Jeremiah 10:25 · KJV


Context

23

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

24

O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. bring: Heb. diminish me

25

Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse concludes with prayer for justice against oppressors: 'Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not.' The Hebrew shaphak (שָׁפַךְ, pour out) with chemah (חֵמָה, heat, rage, fury) requests divine wrath directed at pagan nations. 'That know thee not' (lo yeda'ukha) identifies them as those lacking covenant relationship. 'And upon the families that call not on thy name.' Families/clans (mishpachoth) who don't invoke YHWH's name in worship deserve judgment. 'For they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.' Three verbs—eaten (akal), devoured (kalah), consumed (tamam)—intensify the description of destruction. The prayer asks God to judge the instruments of judgment—holding Babylon accountable for excessive cruelty while acknowledging Israel's deserved discipline.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prayer appears nearly identically in Psalm 79:6-7, suggesting liturgical usage. The theology is consistent with Jeremiah 25:12-14 and 50-51—God will judge Babylon for destroying what He commanded them to destroy but with arrogant cruelty exceeding divine commission. Isaiah similarly promises judgment on Assyria for proud excess (Isaiah 10:5-19). Divine instruments remain accountable for their methods.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can the same actions be both divinely commissioned judgment and punishable human cruelty?
  2. What does this prayer for justice against oppressors reveal about trusting God to judge rightly?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
שְׁפֹ֣ךְ1 of 22

Pour out

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

חֲמָתְךָ֗2 of 22

thy fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

עַל3 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַגּוֹיִם֙4 of 22

upon the heathen

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא6 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְדָע֔וּךָ7 of 22

that know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְעַל֙8 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִשְׁפָּח֔וֹת9 of 22

thee not and upon the families

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּשִׁמְךָ֖11 of 22

not on thy name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לֹ֣א12 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

קָרָ֑אוּ13 of 22

that call

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

כִּֽי14 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וַאֲכָלֻ֙הוּ֙15 of 22

and devoured

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶֽת16 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יַעֲקֹ֗ב17 of 22

Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וַאֲכָלֻ֙הוּ֙18 of 22

and devoured

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וַיְכַלֻּ֔הוּ19 of 22

him and consumed

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

וְאֶת20 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נָוֵ֖הוּ21 of 22

him and have made his habitation

H5116

(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild

הֵשַֽׁמּוּ׃22 of 22

desolate

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 10:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 10:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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