To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day;

JEREMIAH 25:18KJV
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Jeremiah 25:18 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 25:18 mean?

Jeremiah 25:18 lists Jerusalem, the cities of Judah, their kings, and princes as those who have become ruined, shocking, and cursed, just as people see them at that time. The verse describes how these once-important places and leaders have been made desolate and objects of scorn as a result of judgment.

Jeremiah, speaking as a prophet to the people of Judah, is recounting the consequences that have come upon his nation because they turned away from God. The verse is part of a larger warning where Jeremiah explains that the destruction and shame now visible in Jerusalem and Judah are not accidents, but fulfillments of what was foretold due to their unfaithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 25:18

  • "Desolation" (חָרְבָּה, ḥorbah) means a state of ruin or devastation. This word emphasizes the total breakdown and emptiness left behind in Jerusalem and Judah.
  • "Astonishment" (שַׁמָּה, shammah) refers to something so shocking that it causes people to be appalled. The use of this word shows that the downfall of these places was so severe it surprised and disturbed onlookers.
  • "Hissing" (שְׁרֵקָה, sherêqah) describes a gesture of scorn or mockery, like people whistling or hissing in disbelief or contempt when they see the ruins.
  • "Curse" (קְלָלָה, qelalah) means something that has become an object of cursing or ill-speaking, highlighting that Jerusalem and Judah are now spoken of negatively and as examples of misfortune.

Why Jeremiah 25:18 matters

  • This verse clears up that the devastation of Jerusalem and Judah was not random but a direct result of their actions and a fulfillment of prophetic warning.
  • The verse highlights how public and complete the judgment was—so much so that other nations would react with shock and scorn.
  • It connects to the wider passage by showing that God's warnings through Jeremiah were not empty threats; the consequences were real and visible "as it is this day."

Where else these words appear

“hissing” Hebrew H8322 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 29:8 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.
  • Jeremiah 25:9 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.
  • Jeremiah 51:37 And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.

“curse” Hebrew H7045 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 27:12 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
  • Deuteronomy 29:27 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:
  • Proverbs 26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

“astonishment” Hebrew H8047 · used in 39 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:37 And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.
  • Jeremiah 8:21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.
  • Jeremiah 49:17 Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.

“desolation” Hebrew H2723 · used in 42 verses

  • Leviticus 26:31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.
  • Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
  • Ezekiel 25:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.