Jeremiah 25:23 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 25:23 mean?

Jeremiah 25:23 lists Dedan, Tema, Buz, and “all that are in the utmost corners” as peoples or regions that will be affected by the message of judgment Jeremiah is delivering. The verse is part of a longer list naming various nations that will experience God’s judgment.

In this chapter, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s words to a group of nations, not just Israel. Dedan, Tema, and Buz were groups or tribes living in the Arabian desert region, and “those in the utmost corners” refers to people living on the far edges of the known world at that time. Jeremiah is emphasizing that God’s message of judgment reaches far beyond Judah, including distant and lesser-known peoples.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 25:23

• דְּדָן (Dedan, transliterated “Dedan”): Refers to a nomadic group or region in northern Arabia. Including Dedan shows the wide scope of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
• תֵּימָא (Tema, transliterated “Tema”): Another Arabian tribe or region, known for its desert location. Mentioning Tema highlights that even remote desert dwellers are not outside God’s notice.
• בּוּז (Buz, transliterated “Buz”): A less well-known tribe, possibly related to the descendants of Abraham’s family. Including Buz shows that even obscure peoples are named in God’s plans.
• קָצֶה (qāṣeh, translated “utmost”): Means “edge” or “extremity.” Here, it points to the farthest reaches of the known world.
• פֵּאָה (pē’āh, translated “corners”): Means “corner” or “side.” The phrase “utmost corners” often refers to people living at the outermost boundaries, emphasizing the total reach of the coming judgment.

Why Jeremiah 25:23 matters

• Jeremiah 25:23 shows that God’s message through Jeremiah is not limited to Israel or its immediate neighbors but extends to distant and sometimes overlooked peoples.
• The verse emphasizes the universal scope of God’s authority and concern, naming both well-known and obscure groups.
• By including “all that are in the utmost corners,” Jeremiah underlines that no one is beyond the reach of God’s plans, reinforcing the seriousness and completeness of the coming judgment described in this chapter.