King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:12 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:12 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.”

Jeremiah 49:12 · KJV

Context

10

But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.

11

Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.

12

For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.

13

For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.

14

I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.

Read Jeremiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken. The cup (kos, כּוֹס) is a common prophetic metaphor for God's wrath and judgment (Jeremiah 25:15-29, Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17). The phrase whose judgment was not to drink refers to Judah—though God's covenant people, they were not exempt from judgment for sin and actually drank the cup of exile. If God did not spare His own people, how could Edom, guilty of greater sins without covenant relationship, expect immunity?

And art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it. The emphatic Hebrew construction (naqoh tinaqeh, נָקֹה תִּנָּקֶה, literally 'being free you shall be freed?') uses repetition to stress impossibility. Shato tishteh (שָׁתֹה תִשְׁתֶּה, drinking you shall drink) similarly emphasizes certainty. Edom will absolutely not escape; they will certainly drink judgment's cup.

This argument from lesser to greater appears throughout Scripture: if God judges His beloved, how much more the rebellious outsider (1 Peter 4:17-18, Romans 11:21). The cup imagery culminates in Christ, who drank the cup of God's wrath at Calvary (Matthew 26:39) so believers need never drink it themselves.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's exile to Babylon (586 BC) demonstrated that covenant relationship didn't exempt God's people from judgment for persistent sin. Edom likely thought themselves safe, reasoning that if God allowed His own temple to be destroyed, He lacked power or concern to judge other nations. This verse refutes that false confidence. God's judgment of Judah wasn't weakness but righteousness—and that same righteousness would judge Edom's violence and pride. Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns against Transjordan (c. 582 BC) fulfilled this prophecy, with Edom suffering devastation. The 'cup of judgment' theology permeates Jeremiah 25, where multiple nations are listed for judgment. Edom appears among them (25:21), confirming no nation escapes accountability to God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment of His own people challenge assumptions that religious affiliation guarantees exemption from consequences?
  2. What does the certainty of Edom's judgment teach about God's impartiality and justice across all nations?
  3. How does Jesus drinking the cup of God's wrath (Matthew 26:39) transform this imagery from terror to hope for believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כִּי1 of 21
H3588

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

כֹ֣ה׀2 of 21
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר3 of 21

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 21

“the LORD”

H3068

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

הִ֠נֵּה5 of 21
H2009

lo!

אֲשֶׁר6 of 21
H834

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

אֵ֨ין7 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מִשְׁפָּטָ֜ם8 of 21

“Behold they whose judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

תִּשְׁתֶּֽה׃9 of 21

“but thou shalt surely”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

הַכּוֹס֙10 of 21

“of 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)

תִּשְׁתֶּֽה׃11 of 21

“but thou shalt surely”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

תִּשְׁתֶּֽה׃12 of 21

“but thou shalt surely”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וְאַתָּ֣ה13 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

ה֔וּא14 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

תִנָּקֶ֔ה15 of 21

“and art thou he that shall altogether”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

תִנָּקֶ֔ה16 of 21

“and art thou he that shall altogether”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

לֹ֣א17 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִנָּקֶ֔ה18 of 21

“and art thou he that shall altogether”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

כִּ֥י19 of 21
H3588

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

תִּשְׁתֶּֽה׃20 of 21

“but thou shalt surely”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

תִּשְׁתֶּֽה׃21 of 21

“but thou shalt surely”

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 49:12 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 49:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 25:28-29Obadiah 1:16Lamentations 4:21-22Jeremiah 46:27Proverbs 17:5Jeremiah 25:15

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 49 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 49 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes