King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:32 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:32 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised u...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 25:32 · KJV

Context

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.

33

And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

34

Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. the days: Heb. your days for slaughter a pleasant: Heb. a vessel of desire

Read Jeremiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The phrase rāʿâ yōṣēʾṯ miggôy ʾel-gôy (רָעָה יֹצֵאת מִגּוֹי אֶל־גּוֹי, evil shall go forth from nation to nation) depicts judgment spreading like contagion from one nation to the next. The Babylonian conquests proceeded systematically—Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and ultimately Babylon itself would fall to Persia. Each conquest enabled the next, creating a domino effect of judgment.

The phrase saʿar gāḏôl yēʿôr miyyarkĕṯê-ʾāreṣ (סַעַר גָּדוֹל יֵעוֹר מִיַּרְכְּתֵי־אָרֶץ, great whirlwind shall be raised from the coasts/remotest parts of the earth) employs storm imagery for overwhelming, destructive judgment. The term saʿar (סַעַר, whirlwind/tempest) suggests violent, irresistible force. The 'remotest parts of earth' (yarkĕṯê-ʾāreṣ) emphasizes that judgment originates from unexpected quarters—Babylon arose from distant Mesopotamia, just as later the Medes and Persians came from the east. God raises up instruments of judgment from wherever He chooses, demonstrating absolute sovereignty over history.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The pattern of judgment spreading 'from nation to nation' describes the succession of empires—Babylon conquering the ancient Near East, then Persia conquering Babylon, then Greece conquering Persia, then Rome conquering Greece. Each empire became God's instrument of judgment on its predecessor. This succession, prophesied in Daniel 2 and 7, demonstrates divine sovereignty orchestrating human history. The 'great whirlwind' describes the violence and rapidity of these imperial transitions—established powers swept away seemingly overnight.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does judgment spreading 'from nation to nation' demonstrate that no human power is permanent and all stand under God's sovereignty?
  2. What does the 'whirlwind from the remotest parts of earth' teach about God's ability to raise up instruments of judgment from unexpected sources?
  3. How should the pattern of empires rising and falling throughout history humble national pride and remind us that only God's kingdom endures?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כֹּ֤ה1 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

אָמַר֙2 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֔וֹת4 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

הִנֵּ֥ה5 of 15
H2009

lo!

רָעָ֛ה6 of 15

“Behold evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

יֹצֵ֖את7 of 15

“shall go forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

גּ֑וֹי8 of 15

“from nation”

H1471

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

אֶל9 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גּ֑וֹי10 of 15

“from nation”

H1471

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

וְסַ֣עַר11 of 15

“whirlwind”

H5591

a hurricane

גָּד֔וֹל12 of 15

“and a great”

H1419

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

יֵע֖וֹר13 of 15

“shall be raised up”

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

מִיַּרְכְּתֵי14 of 15

“from the coasts”

H3411

properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess

אָֽרֶץ׃15 of 15

“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 25:32 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 25:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 34:2Jeremiah 23:192 Chronicles 15:6Isaiah 30:30Jeremiah 30:23Isaiah 66:18

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 25 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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