King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:18 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:18 in the King James Version says “To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, a...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day;”

Jeremiah 25:18 · KJV

Context

16

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

17

Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:

18

To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day;

19

Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;

20

And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,

Read Jeremiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day. Shockingly, Jerusalem and Judah appear first on the list of nations drinking God's wrath. The phrase ʾeṯ-Yĕrûshālaim wĕʾeṯ-ʿārê Yĕhûḏâ (אֶת־יְרוּשָׁלַיִם וְאֶת־עָרֵי יְהוּדָה, Jerusalem and the cities of Judah) identifies the covenant people as primary recipients of judgment. The fourfold description—lĕḥorḇâ lĕshammâ lišrêqâ wĕliqĕlālâ (לְחָרְבָּה לְשַׁמָּה לִשְׁרֵקָה וְלִקְלָלָה, desolation, astonishment, hissing, curse)—emphasizes complete devastation.

The phrase kayyôm hazzeh (כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה, as it is this day) suggests this oracle was recorded after partial fulfillment had begun, perhaps after the first deportation (597 BC). This demonstrates a crucial biblical principle: 'judgment must begin at the house of God' (1 Peter 4:17). Greater privilege brings greater accountability. Israel received God's law, prophets, and covenant promises—their rejection warranted severer judgment than pagan nations who lacked such revelation. Jesus taught the same principle: Capernaum would be judged more severely than Sodom because it witnessed His miracles yet didn't repent (Matthew 11:23-24).

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Historical & Cultural Context

By the time this was written or edited into final form, Jerusalem had already experienced initial judgment. The 597 BC deportation removed King Jehoiachin, nobles, and skilled workers. The city itself would be destroyed in 586 BC, fulfilling the prophecy completely. The visible evidence of partial fulfillment ('as it is this day') authenticated Jeremiah's prophetic authority and warned that worse was coming if repentance didn't occur.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God's judgment begin with His own people rather than with pagan nations who never knew Him?
  2. How does greater spiritual privilege bring greater accountability, and what does this mean for the church today?
  3. In what ways does partial fulfillment of prophecy serve as warning that complete fulfillment is certain unless repentance occurs?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֶת1 of 17
H853

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

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙2 of 17

“To wit Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְאֶת3 of 17
H853

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

עָרֵ֣י4 of 17

“and the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֔ה5 of 17

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְאֶת6 of 17
H853

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

מְלָכֶ֖יהָ7 of 17

“and the kings”

H4428

a king

אֶת8 of 17
H853

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

שָׂרֶ֑יהָ9 of 17

“thereof and the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

לָתֵ֨ת10 of 17

“thereof to make”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹתָ֜ם11 of 17
H853

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

לְחָרְבָּ֧ה12 of 17

“them a desolation”

H2723

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

לְשַׁמָּ֛ה13 of 17

“an astonishment”

H8047

ruin; by implication, consternation

לִשְׁרֵקָ֥ה14 of 17

“an hissing”

H8322

a derision

וְלִקְלָלָ֖ה15 of 17

“and a curse”

H7045

vilification

כַּיּ֥וֹם16 of 17

“as it is this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃17 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 25:18 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 25:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 44:22Jeremiah 24:9Psalms 60:3Jeremiah 25:11Isaiah 51:17-22Ezra 9:7

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 25 →

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