King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:25 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:25 in the King James Version says “The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lor...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.”

Jeremiah 50:25 · KJV

Context

23

How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!

24

I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.

25

The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.

26

Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left. from: Heb. from the end cast: or, tread her

27

Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

Read Jeremiah 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD hath opened his armoury—the Hebrew otsar (אוֹצָר, treasure house, storehouse) suggests God's arsenal of judgment weapons stored and ready for appointed times. And hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation—the kelei za'am (כְּלֵי זַעַם, instruments of wrath) are the Medes and Persians whom God deploys as His agents (Isaiah 13:5, 17-19).

For this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts—Adonai Yahweh Tseva'ot (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה צְבָאוֹת, Sovereign LORD of armies). The full divine title emphasizes absolute authority over all military forces, earthly and heavenly. What appears as Persian military strategy is actually God's sovereign work. Human armies serve as instruments in divine hands, accomplishing purposes they may not comprehend.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Medo-Persian coalition under Cyrus II conquered Babylon in 539 BC. Isaiah had prophesied this 150 years earlier, even naming Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28-45:1). The Persian strategy of religious tolerance contrasted with Babylonian policy—Cyrus allowed conquered peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This policy enabled the Jewish return under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1:1-4), fulfilling Jeremiah's seventy-year prophecy (Jeremiah 29:10). What seemed like Persian benevolence was actually God's 'work' to restore His people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of God's 'armoury' comfort believers facing opposition and persecution?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's sovereignty over human military and political power?
  3. How should understanding that earthly armies are 'weapons' in God's hands shape our response to global conflicts?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
פָּתַ֤ח1 of 16

“hath opened”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

יְהוָה֙2 of 16

“The LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת3 of 16
H853

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

א֣וֹצָר֔וֹ4 of 16

“his armoury”

H214

a depository

וַיּוֹצֵ֖א5 of 16

“and hath brought forth”

H3318

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

אֶת6 of 16
H853

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

כְּלֵ֣י7 of 16

“the weapons”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

זַעְמ֑וֹ8 of 16

“of his indignation”

H2195

strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)

כִּי9 of 16
H3588

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

מְלָאכָ֣ה10 of 16

“for this is the work”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

הִ֗יא11 of 16
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

לַֽאדֹנָ֧י12 of 16

“of the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֛ה13 of 16

“GOD”

H3069

god

צְבָא֖וֹת14 of 16

“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

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ15 of 16

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כַּשְׂדִּֽים׃16 of 16

“of the Chaldeans”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

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 50:25 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 50:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:55Jeremiah 51:25Jeremiah 51:20Amos 3:6Jeremiah 50:15Jeremiah 50:35-38

Places in This Verse

ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
View all places in Jeremiah 50 →

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 50 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 50 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes