For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.

JEREMIAH 25:29KJV
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Jeremiah 25:29 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 25:29 mean?

Jeremiah 25:29 says that God is beginning to bring disaster on Jerusalem, the city associated with His name, and warns that other nations will not escape punishment either. God declares that He will send judgment—symbolized by the sword—across all the earth, making it clear that no one will be exempt.

In this verse, Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people. The setting is a time when Jerusalem is about to face consequences for its unfaithfulness, but God points out that if His own city is judged, other nations should not expect to go unpunished. The verse emphasizes God’s fairness and the certainty of coming judgment beyond just Israel.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 25:29

  • "begin" (חָלַל, ḥālal): This word often means to start or initiate something, and here it highlights that God’s act of judgment is just beginning with Jerusalem—it is not the end, but the start of a wider action.
  • "city" (עִיר, ʿîr): Refers specifically to Jerusalem, which is called by God’s name, underscoring its special status and the seriousness of its judgment.
  • "called" (קָרָא, qārā’): This verb means to be named or designated, showing that Jerusalem has a unique relationship with God, making its judgment especially significant.
  • "utterly unpunished" (נָקָה, nāqāh): Repeated for emphasis, this word means to be left unpunished or acquitted. The repetition stresses that the nations will not escape judgment.
  • "sword" (חֶרֶב, ḥerev): Symbolizes war or violent judgment, making clear that the punishment will be severe and widespread.

Why Jeremiah 25:29 matters

  • Jeremiah 25:29 corrects the idea that God’s judgment is limited only to His own people; it makes clear that all nations are accountable to Him.
  • The verse highlights that God’s justice is impartial—if Jerusalem faces consequences, no other nation can claim immunity.
  • This verse sets up the broader context of Jeremiah 25, where God’s message of judgment expands from Israel to the whole world, showing the universal scope of His authority and justice.

Where else these words appear

“utterly” Hebrew H5352 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Judges 15:3 And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
  • Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

“evil” Hebrew H7489 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
  • 2 Kings 21:11 Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
  • Isaiah 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

“begin” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
  • Isaiah 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;