King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:5 in the King James Version says “They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that t...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:”

Jeremiah 25:5 · KJV

Context

3

From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.

4

And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.

5

They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:

6

And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.

7

Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.

Read Jeremiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings. The prophetic message centered on shûḇ (שׁוּב, turn/return/repent), the fundamental Hebrew term for repentance involving both turning from sin and turning toward God. The phrase mē-darkĕḵem hārāʿâ (מִדַּרְכְּכֶם הָרָעָה, from your evil way) refers to one's chosen path or lifestyle, while mē-rōaʿ maʿalĕlêḵem (מֵרֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיכֶם, from the evil of your doings) points to specific actions. True repentance addresses both character and conduct.

And dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever—Continued possession of the promised land was conditional on covenant faithfulness. The phrase ʿaḏ-ʿôlām (עַד־עוֹלָם, forever) doesn't mean unconditional permanence but 'as long as covenant conditions are maintained.' This principle appears throughout Deuteronomy: obedience brings blessing and land possession; disobedience brings curse and exile (Deuteronomy 28-30). The land was gift, but stewardship required faithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The promised land was central to Israel's covenant identity. God gave it to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 15:18-21), but possession depended on obedience (Leviticus 26:3-39). By Jeremiah's time, Judah had violated every covenant stipulation—worshiping idols, oppressing the poor, profaning the Sabbath, rejecting God's law. The northern kingdom (Israel) had already been exiled by Assyria (722 BC) for identical sins. Judah refused to learn from this object lesson, assuming Jerusalem's temple guaranteed protection regardless of behavior.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does biblical repentance differ from mere regret or behavior modification, and what does genuine turning from evil require?
  2. What does the conditional nature of land possession teach about the relationship between God's gifts and our stewardship responsibilities?
  3. In what ways might we presume on God's blessings while neglecting the faithfulness those blessings require?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
לֵאמֹ֗ר1 of 20

“They said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שֽׁוּבוּ2 of 20

“Turn ye again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

נָ֞א3 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אִ֣ישׁ4 of 20

“now every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִדַּרְכּ֤וֹ5 of 20

“way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָֽרָעָה֙6 of 20

“from his evil”

H7451

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

וּמֵרֹ֣עַ7 of 20

“and from the evil”

H7455

badness (as marring), physically or morally

מַעַלְלֵיכֶ֔ם8 of 20

“of your doings”

H4611

an act (good or bad)

וּשְׁבוּ֙9 of 20

“and dwell”

H3427

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

עַל10 of 20
H5921

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

הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה11 of 20

“in the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר12 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתַ֧ן13 of 20

“hath given”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֛ה14 of 20

“that the LORD”

H3068

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

לָכֶ֖ם15 of 20
H0
וְלַאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם16 of 20

“unto you and to your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לְמִן17 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

עוֹלָֽם׃18 of 20

“and ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְעַד19 of 20

“for”

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָֽם׃20 of 20

“and ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

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 25:5 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 25:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 7:7Genesis 17:8Jeremiah 17:25Isaiah 55:6-7Jonah 3:8-10Jeremiah 18:11

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