King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:10 in the King James Version says “Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. I will: Heb. I will cause to perish from them”

Jeremiah 25:10 · KJV

Salvation

Context

8

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,

9

Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

10

Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. I will: Heb. I will cause to perish from them

11

And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

12

And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations. punish: Heb. visit upon

Read Jeremiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. This poetic description depicts the complete cessation of normal life. The Hebrew qôl śāśôn wĕqôl śimḥâ (קוֹל שָׂשׂוֹן וְקוֹל שִׂמְחָה, voice of mirth and voice of gladness) represents joy and celebration, particularly weddings—the epitome of communal joy. The phrase qôl ḥātān wĕqôl kallâ (קוֹל חָתָן וְקוֹל כַּלָּה, voice of bridegroom and voice of bride) emphasizes the end of marriages and new families.

The qôl rēḥayim (קוֹל רֵחַיִם, sound of millstones) represents daily domestic activity—grinding grain for bread, the most basic sustenance. The ʾôr hannēr (אוֹר הַנֵּר, light of the candle/lamp) symbolizes home and life itself. Together, these images portray total desolation—no weddings, no children, no food production, no homes inhabited. This reverses creation and covenant blessings, returning the land to pre-Edenic chaos. Revelation 18:21-23 uses identical imagery to describe Babylon's judgment, demonstrating the principle that those who execute God's judgment must themselves eventually face it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The destruction of Jerusalem and Judean towns in 586 BC fulfilled this prophecy literally. Archaeological excavations show a dramatic population decline—from perhaps 75,000 to less than 10,000. Cities were burned, never to be rebuilt. The land lay desolate for seventy years, with minimal agriculture and no significant urban life. The joy of weddings, the routine of daily bread-making, the light of evening lamps—all ceased as the population was either killed, enslaved, or exiled.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do these images of everyday life—weddings, bread-making, lamplight—emphasize the totality of God's judgment?
  2. What does the reversal of creation and covenant blessings teach about sin's ultimate trajectory?
  3. How should the certainty of God's fulfilled judgments on ancient Judah inform our understanding of future judgment warnings in Scripture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְהַאֲבַדְתִּ֣י1 of 14

“Moreover I will take”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

מֵהֶ֗ם2 of 14
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

ק֥וֹל3 of 14

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

שָׂשׂוֹן֙4 of 14

“of mirth”

H8342

cheerfulness; specifically, welcome

ק֥וֹל5 of 14

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

שִׂמְחָ֔ה6 of 14

“of gladness”

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

ק֥וֹל7 of 14

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

חָתָ֖ן8 of 14

“of the bridegroom”

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

ק֥וֹל9 of 14

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

כַּלָּ֑ה10 of 14

“of the bride”

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

ק֥וֹל11 of 14

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

רֵחַ֖יִם12 of 14

“of the millstones”

H7347

a mill-stone

וְא֥וֹר13 of 14

“and the light”

H216

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

נֵֽר׃14 of 14

“of the candle”

H5216

a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)

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 25:10 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 25:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 7:34Revelation 18:22-23Jeremiah 16:9Ezekiel 26:13Jeremiah 33:10-11Esther 7:4

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