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 25:29KJVWhat 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.