King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:9 in the King James Version says “Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my s... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

Jeremiah 25:9 · KJV


Context

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.

8

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,

9

Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

10

Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. I will: Heb. I will cause to perish from them

11

And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant—The designation of pagan Nebuchadnezzar as ʿaḇdî (עַבְדִּי, my servant) is theologically stunning. This term typically refers to faithful servants like Moses, David, and the prophets. Here it identifies the brutal Babylonian king as God's instrument for executing judgment. God sovereignly uses even pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 10:5-19, 45:1-7). Nebuchadnezzar doesn't serve God consciously or willingly, yet he fulfills divine purposes nonetheless.

And will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. The Hebrew ḥāram (חָרַם, utterly destroy) is the term for holy war, complete destruction devoted to God. The phrase lĕshammâ ûlišrêqâ ûlĕḥorĕḇōṯ ʿôlām (לְשַׁמָּה וְלִשְׁרֵקָה וּלְחָרְבוֹת עוֹלָם, for astonishment, hissing, and perpetual desolations) describes total devastation that becomes a proverbial warning to others. This wasn't merely political defeat but divine judgment making Judah an object lesson.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC) built the Neo-Babylonian Empire into the ancient world's dominant power. His campaigns devastated the Levant—conquering Jerusalem in 597 BC, destroying it in 586 BC, and deporting the population. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread destruction of Judean cities during this period. The 'nations round about' also fell—Egypt, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Tyre—fulfilling this prophecy precisely. Babylon became God's rod of anger against covenant-breaking peoples.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's use of a pagan king as 'my servant' teach about divine sovereignty over human history?
  2. How should we understand God's judgment making Judah 'an astonishment and hissing'—was this merely punitive or also redemptive in purpose?
  3. In what ways might God use secular authorities and even hostile powers to accomplish His purposes today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
הִנְנִ֣י1 of 31
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

שֹׁלֵ֡חַ2 of 31

Behold I will send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וְלָקַחְתִּי֩3 of 31

and take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת4 of 31
H853

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

כָּל5 of 31
H3605

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

מִשְׁפְּח֨וֹת6 of 31

all the families

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

צָפ֜וֹן7 of 31

of the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

נְאֻם8 of 31

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֗ה9 of 31

the LORD

H3068

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

וְאֶל10 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר11 of 31

and Nebuchadrezzar

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ12 of 31

the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶל֮13 of 31

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

עַבְדִּי֒14 of 31

my servant

H5650

a servant

וַהֲבִ֨אֹתִ֜ים15 of 31

and will bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַל16 of 31
H5921

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

הָאָ֤רֶץ17 of 31

them against this land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּאת֙18 of 31
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְעַל19 of 31
H5921

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

יֹ֣שְׁבֶ֔יהָ20 of 31

and against 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

וְעַ֛ל21 of 31
H5921

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

כָּל22 of 31
H3605

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

הַגּוֹיִ֥ם23 of 31

thereof and against all these nations

H1471

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

הָאֵ֖לֶּה24 of 31
H428

these or those

סָבִ֑יב25 of 31

round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְהַ֣חֲרַמְתִּ֔ים26 of 31

and will utterly destroy

H2763

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

וְשַׂמְתִּים֙27 of 31

them and make

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְשַׁמָּ֣ה28 of 31

them an astonishment

H8047

ruin; by implication, consternation

וְלִשְׁרֵקָ֔ה29 of 31

and an hissing

H8322

a derision

וּלְחָרְב֖וֹת30 of 31

desolations

H2723

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

עוֹלָֽם׃31 of 31

and perpetual

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 25:9 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 25:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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