King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:28 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:28 in the King James Version says “And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LO...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.”

Jeremiah 25:28 · KJV

Context

26

And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.

27

Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.

28

And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.

29

For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts. which: Heb. upon which my name is called

30

Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

Read Jeremiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink. This verse addresses possible resistance to the prophetic message. The phrase kî māʾēn lāqaḥaṯ hakkôs (כִּי מָאֵן לָקַחַת הַכּוֹס, if they refuse to take the cup) anticipates rejection of the prophecy. People naturally resist unwelcome messages, denying their truth or applicability. The emphatic response shāṯōh tištû (שָׁתֹה תִשְׁתּוּ, you shall certainly drink) uses Hebrew infinitive absolute construction for absolute certainty—there is no escape, no alternative, no exception.

This establishes a crucial principle: rejecting the prophetic warning doesn't prevent the prophesied judgment. Denying reality doesn't change reality. Many rejected Noah's warning—the flood came anyway. Israel rejected prophets' warnings—exile came anyway. People today reject biblical warnings of final judgment—it will come anyway (2 Peter 3:3-7). The certainty of God's word isn't contingent on human acceptance. What God has decreed will occur regardless of human belief or unbelief. This should create urgency: the time to respond is before judgment arrives, while mercy is available.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical records show that many nations failed to take seriously Babylon's threat until too late. Egypt, confident in its military strength, dismissed warnings. Judah's false prophets assured the people that Jerusalem would never fall. When Babylonian armies arrived, the prophecies were fulfilled regardless of prior skepticism. The certainty of biblical prophecy's fulfillment has been demonstrated repeatedly throughout history, building confidence that unfulfilled prophecies will likewise come to pass precisely as stated.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty that judgment comes 'whether you believe it or not' challenge our culture's assumption that truth is subjective?
  2. What does this verse teach about the responsibility to deliver God's warning even when we know it will be rejected?
  3. In what areas might we be 'refusing the cup'—rejecting biblical warnings we find unwelcome or inconvenient?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּ֧י2 of 15
H3588

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

יְמָאֲנ֛וּ3 of 15

“And it shall be if they refuse”

H3985

to refuse

לָקַֽחַת4 of 15

“to take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

הַכּ֥וֹס5 of 15

“the cup”

H3563

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

מִיָּדְךָ֖6 of 15

“at thine hand”

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

תִשְׁתּֽוּ׃7 of 15

“Ye shall certainly”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

אָמַ֛ר8 of 15

“then shalt thou say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם9 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּ֥ה10 of 15
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֛ר11 of 15

“then shalt thou say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֥ה12 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֖וֹת13 of 15

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

תִשְׁתּֽוּ׃14 of 15

“Ye shall certainly”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

תִשְׁתּֽוּ׃15 of 15

“Ye shall certainly”

H8354

to imbibe (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 25:28 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 25:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 34:33Ephesians 1:11Acts 4:28Isaiah 46:10-11Jeremiah 49:12Isaiah 14:24-27

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