King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:19 in the King James Version says “Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people; — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 25:19 · KJV


Context

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,

21

Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people. Egypt appears second on the judgment list, immediately after Judah. This ordering is theologically significant—Egypt represented the worldly power Judah repeatedly trusted instead of Yahweh. The enumeration parʿōh melek-Miṣrayim wĕʿăḇāḏāyw wĕśārāyw wĕʾeṯ-kol-ʿammô (פַּרְעֹה מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרַיִם וְעֲבָדָיו וְשָׂרָיו וְאֶת־כָּל־עַמּוֹ, Pharaoh king of Egypt, his servants, his princes, and all his people) indicates comprehensive judgment affecting every level of society from king to commoner.

Egypt functioned throughout Israel's history as the false refuge—the tangible, visible power to which God's people turned when faith wavered. Judah made treaties with Egypt against Babylon (2 Kings 24:7; Jeremiah 37:5-10), trusting military alliance over divine promise. God's judgment on Egypt demonstrated the futility of trusting human power instead of divine providence. This pattern recurs: Jesus condemned His generation for seeking signs rather than trusting God's word (Matthew 12:38-39). We are tempted to trust visible securities—wealth, military might, political power—rather than the invisible God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt under Pharaoh Necho II (610-595 BC) was a major regional power that installed Jehoiakim as Judah's vassal king after executing his brother Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:29-35). However, Babylon defeated Egypt at Carchemish (605 BC), reducing Egyptian influence. Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in 568 BC, partially fulfilling this prophecy. Though Egypt wasn't permanently destroyed like Babylon, it never regained its former glory, descending to inferior status under Persian, Greek, and Roman rule—fulfilling Ezekiel's prophecy that Egypt would be 'the basest of kingdoms' (Ezekiel 29:14-15).

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'Egypts' do we trust instead of God—visible securities that seem more reliable than faith?
  2. How does God's judgment on Egypt demonstrate the futility of political and military alliances when they replace trust in divine providence?
  3. In what ways does our culture tempt us to seek earthly security rather than resting in God's promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
אֶת1 of 11
H853

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

פַּרְעֹ֧ה2 of 11

Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מֶֽלֶךְ3 of 11

king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֛יִם4 of 11

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְאֶת5 of 11
H853

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

עֲבָדָ֥יו6 of 11

and his servants

H5650

a servant

וְאֶת7 of 11
H853

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

שָׂרָ֖יו8 of 11

and his princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וְאֶת9 of 11
H853

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

כָּל10 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַמּֽוֹ׃11 of 11

and all his people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock


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 25:19 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 25:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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