King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:14 in the King James Version says “For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deed...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.”

Jeremiah 25:14 · KJV

Context

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

13

And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.

14

For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.

15

For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

16

And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.

Read Jeremiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands. This verse predicts Babylon's eventual subjugation—the empire that enslaved others would itself be enslaved. The phrase ʿāḇĕḏû ḇām (עָבְדוּ בָם, shall serve themselves of them) employs the same verb used for Judah serving Babylon, emphasizing poetic justice. The oppressor becomes the oppressed. The principle gāmal (גָּמַל, recompense/repay) appears throughout Scripture: 'whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap' (Galatians 6:7).

The phrase kĕmiṗʿālām ûḵĕmaʿăśê yĕḏêhem (כְּמִפְעָלָם וּכְמַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיהֶם, according to their deeds and according to the works of their hands) emphasizes proportional justice—God's judgment corresponds precisely to the sin committed. This isn't arbitrary wrath but measured response to specific evil. The Medo-Persian Empire would conquer Babylon (539 BC), followed by Greece and Rome. The mighty empire that seemed invincible would be reduced to perpetual ruins, demonstrating no human power stands permanently apart from God's sovereign will.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's fall to Cyrus the Persian (539 BC) fulfilled this prophecy within Jeremiah's predicted timeframe. The Medes and Persians ('many nations and great kings') conquered the empire. Later, Alexander the Great's Greek armies and finally Rome controlled the territory. Babylon's gradual decline into uninhabited ruins fulfilled the prophecy of perpetual desolation. The principle of divine recompense—that nations reap what they sow—appears throughout history. Powers that build empires on violence and oppression eventually collapse.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the principle that oppressors eventually face oppression demonstrate God's justice in history?
  2. What does 'recompense according to their deeds' teach about the precision and fairness of divine judgment?
  3. How should the certainty that God judges powerful nations and empires shape Christian engagement with political power and national pride?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כִּ֣י1 of 14
H3588

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

עָֽבְדוּ2 of 14

“shall serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

בָ֤ם3 of 14
H0
גַּם4 of 14
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֵ֙מָּה֙5 of 14
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

גּוֹיִ֣ם6 of 14

“nations”

H1471

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

רַבִּ֔ים7 of 14

“For many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וּמְלָכִ֖ים8 of 14

“kings”

H4428

a king

גְּדוֹלִ֑ים9 of 14

“and great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֥י10 of 14

“themselves of them also and I will recompense”

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

לָהֶ֛ם11 of 14
H0
כְּפָעֳלָ֖ם12 of 14

“them according to their deeds”

H6467

an act or work (concretely)

וּכְמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה13 of 14

“and according to the works”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יְדֵיהֶֽם׃14 of 14

“of their own hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 25:14 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 25:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:6Jeremiah 50:9Jeremiah 27:7Jeremiah 50:41Isaiah 66:6Isaiah 14:2

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 25 →

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