For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

JEREMIAH 25:15KJV
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Jeremiah 25:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 25:15 mean?

Jeremiah 25:15 describes God commanding Jeremiah to take a symbolic cup of His anger and make all the nations to whom God sends him drink from it, representing that they will experience God’s judgment. The verse uses the image of a wine cup to show that God’s fury will be poured out on many peoples, not just Israel.

In this verse, the LORD (God of Israel) speaks directly to Jeremiah, instructing him to deliver a message of coming judgment to various nations. The “wine cup of this fury” is a picture of God’s wrath, and making the nations “drink it” means they will be forced to face consequences for their actions. This moment sets up a larger section where Jeremiah lists the nations that will face God’s judgment.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 25:15

  • “cup” (כּוֹס, kos): This word refers to a drinking vessel, often used in the Hebrew Bible as a symbol for a person’s fate or destiny, especially when it comes to experiencing suffering or judgment. Here, it is a vivid image for God’s punishment.
  • “fury” (חֵמָה, chemah): This word means intense anger or wrath. It emphasizes the seriousness and heat of God’s response to wrongdoing, not just mild displeasure.
  • “nations” (גּוֹיִם, goyim): This word means peoples or nations other than Israel. Its use here shows that God’s message is not limited to Israel but extends to many different groups.
  • “drink” (שָׁקָה, shaqah): This verb means to cause someone to drink, often against their will. It highlights that the nations will not be able to avoid what God is bringing upon them.

Why Jeremiah 25:15 matters

  • Jeremiah 25:15 makes clear that God’s judgment is not just for Israel but for all nations, showing His authority over the whole world.
  • The use of the “cup” image helps readers understand that God’s wrath is something that must be experienced—it cannot be ignored or escaped by those to whom it is given.
  • This verse introduces a major theme in Jeremiah’s prophecies: that God holds all peoples accountable for their actions, not just His own people.

Where else these words appear

“cup” Hebrew H3563 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 40:11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
  • Psalms 16:5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
  • Jeremiah 25:17 Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:

“drink” Hebrew H8248 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Genesis 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
  • Psalms 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

“fury” Hebrew H2534 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
  • Lamentations 4:11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

“wine” Hebrew H3196 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
  • Isaiah 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.