King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:30 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:30 in the King James Version says “Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 25:30 · KJV

Context

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.

31

A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.

32

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

Read Jeremiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The phrase YHWH miммārôm yišʾāg (יְהוָה מִמָּרוֹם יִשְׁאָג, the LORD shall roar from on high) employs lion imagery—God as the roaring lion executing judgment. This contrasts with Jesus as the 'Lion of Judah' (Revelation 5:5) who is simultaneously the sacrificial Lamb. The phrase mimmĕʿôn qoḏšô yittēn qôlô (מִמְּעוֹן קָדְשׁוֹ יִתֵּן קוֹלוֹ, utter his voice from his holy habitation) identifies heaven as the source of judgment.

The imagery shifts: shāʾōg yišʾag ʿal-nāwēhû (שָׁאֹג יִשְׁאַג עַל־נָוֵהוּ, mightily roar upon his habitation) suggests God roaring against His own dwelling place—judgment beginning at Jerusalem. The phrase hêḏāḏ kĕḏōrĕkîm yaʿăneh (הֵידָד כְּדֹרְכִים יַעֲנֶה, give a shout as those who tread grapes) employs vintage imagery. Grape-treading involved rhythmic shouting while trampling grapes, producing wine and juice. Here it becomes an image of divine wrath—God trampling nations like grapes in the winepress. Revelation 14:19-20 and 19:15 use identical imagery for Christ's final judgment, showing thematic continuity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Amos had earlier used the image of God roaring like a lion from Zion (Amos 1:2, 3:8). The prophets consistently portrayed God's judgment as terrifying, inevitable, and comprehensive. The grape-treading imagery was familiar from agricultural life—the violent trampling, the red juice flowing like blood. When applied to judgment, it became visceral and shocking. Joel 3:12-13 similarly describes God commanding, 'Come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.' These images prepared Israel for the reality that God's judgment would be thorough and terrible.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of God 'roaring like a lion' challenge sentimental views of divine love that exclude holy judgment?
  2. What does the grape-treading imagery teach about the thoroughness and violence of God's judgment against sin?
  3. How should these terrifying images of judgment shape our evangelism, worship, and holy living?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְאַתָּה֙1 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִּנָּבֵ֣א2 of 27

“Therefore prophesy”

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֵ֥ת4 of 27
H853

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

כָּל5 of 27
H3605

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

הַדְּבָרִ֖ים6 of 27

“thou against them all these words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֑לֶּה7 of 27
H428

these or those

וְאָמַרְתָּ֣8 of 27

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם9 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֞ה10 of 27

“unto them The LORD”

H3068

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

מִמָּר֤וֹם11 of 27

“from on high”

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

יִשְׁאַג֙12 of 27

“he shall mightily”

H7580

to rumble or moan

וּמִמְּע֤וֹן13 of 27

“habitation”

H4583

an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)

קָדְשׁוֹ֙14 of 27

“from his holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יִתֵּ֣ן15 of 27

“and utter”

H5414

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

קוֹל֔וֹ16 of 27

“his voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

יִשְׁאַג֙17 of 27

“he shall mightily”

H7580

to rumble or moan

יִשְׁאַג֙18 of 27

“he shall mightily”

H7580

to rumble or moan

עַל19 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נָוֵ֔הוּ20 of 27

“upon his habitation”

H5116

(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild

הֵידָד֙21 of 27

“a shout”

H1959

acclamation

כְּדֹרְכִ֣ים22 of 27

“as they that tread”

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

יַֽעֲנֶ֔ה23 of 27

“he shall give”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֶ֥ל24 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל25 of 27
H3605

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

יֹשְׁבֵ֖י26 of 27

“the grapes against all the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָֽרֶץ׃27 of 27

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 25:30 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 25:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 1:2Joel 3:16Isaiah 42:13Psalms 78:65Isaiah 16:91 Kings 9:3

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