Jeremiah 10:25

KJV

Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

KJV (with Strong's)

Pour out {H8210} thy fury {H2534} upon the heathen {H1471} that know {H3045} thee not, and upon the families {H4940} that call {H7121} not on thy name {H8034}: for they have eaten up {H398} Jacob {H3290}, and devoured {H398} him, and consumed {H3615} him, and have made his habitation {H5116} desolate {H8074}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pour out your anger on the nations that do not acknowledge you, also on the families that do not call on your name. For they have consumed Ya'akov - consumed him and finished him off, and laid waste to his home.

Berean Standard Bible

Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, and on the families that do not call on Your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have consumed him and finished him off; they have devastated his homeland.

American Standard Version

Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name; for they have devoured Jacob, yea, they have devoured him and consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 10:25 is a fervent prophetic imprecation, a plea to God to unleash His righteous wrath upon the gentile nations who neither acknowledge nor invoke His name. This divine judgment is sought because these nations have brutally oppressed, plundered, and utterly devastated Jacob, the nation of Israel, leaving its dwelling places desolate. The verse underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to justice for His covenant people, even amidst their own failings and impending judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant section in Jeremiah 10 (verses 1-16), where the prophet meticulously contrasts the living, true God of Israel with the lifeless, impotent idols worshipped by surrounding nations and, tragically, by Judah itself. Jeremiah has just delivered a lament over Judah's impending desolation and the severe judgment coming upon them due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 10:17-24). The prophet acknowledges Judah's sin and their inability to direct their own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). However, in verse 25, the focus dramatically shifts from Judah's internal sin and punishment to an outward appeal for God's justice against the external oppressors. This imprecation for divine retribution against the "heathen" nations serves as a cry for vindication, a desperate appeal to God's covenant faithfulness despite Israel's own suffering and sin. It highlights the dual nature of God's justice: judgment on His own people for their sin, and judgment on the nations for their unrighteousness and oppression of His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings, from Josiah to Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile (circa 627-586 BCE). The "heathen" nations primarily refer to the powerful empires of Assyria and Babylon, which were instruments of God's judgment against Judah but were also inherently hostile to God's people and purposes. These empires engaged in brutal warfare, mass deportations, and the destruction of cities and lands, including Jerusalem and the Temple. The imagery of "eating up," "devouring," and making "habitation desolate" vividly reflects the real-world devastation inflicted by these conquering powers. Culturally, the concept of a nation's god fighting on its behalf was common in the ancient Near East, but Jeremiah elevates this to the level of the one true God, Yahweh, who judges all nations, not just for their military actions, but for their spiritual ignorance and rejection of Him.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 10:25 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, asserting that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice over all nations, not just Israel. He will hold accountable those who oppress His people and disregard His authority. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Ignorance and Rejection of God**, identifying the fundamental sin of the "heathen" as their failure to "know" God and "call on His name." This spiritual blindness is presented as a root cause of their destructive actions. Thirdly, it vividly portrays the **Suffering and Desolation of God's People**, using powerful metaphors to describe the profound impact of oppression on Israel. This theme is central to Jeremiah's prophetic message, as he laments the impending destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, which ultimately came to pass with the Babylonian invasion, as prophesied in passages like [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity"). Lastly, the verse implicitly touches on **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, as the prayer for judgment against oppressors arises from a deep trust that God will ultimately defend His chosen people, Jacob, despite their current suffering and His own disciplinary judgments upon them, a promise reiterated in [Jeremiah 30:10-11](/jeremiah/30-10 "Jeremiah 30:10-11 - Restoration of Jacob").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** This term (H2534) denotes intense heat, figuratively representing anger, wrath, or indignation. When applied to God, it describes a fierce, consuming divine displeasure, often leading to decisive judgment. In Jeremiah 10:25, the plea to "pour out thy fury" signifies a desire for a complete and overwhelming release of God's righteous indignation against those who have wronged His people, emphasizing the severity and totality of the desired judgment.
* **Heathen (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** The word (H1471) literally means "nation" or "people." While it can refer to any nation, in many Old Testament contexts, especially in prophetic books, it refers specifically to non-Israelite nations, often those who are hostile to God's covenant people and purposes. Here, it specifically designates the foreign powers that do not acknowledge Yahweh and have acted as instruments of oppression against Jacob.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This verb (H3045) is rich in meaning, extending beyond mere intellectual acquaintance to encompass experiential knowledge, recognition, relationship, and even covenantal intimacy. When it says the heathen "know thee not," it implies a profound spiritual ignorance, a lack of personal relationship with God, and a failure to recognize His sovereignty and authority. This spiritual deficiency is presented as a fundamental reason for their destructive actions and their deserving of divine wrath.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** This root (H3615) signifies to end, cease, be finished, perish, or to complete, prepare, or consume entirely. In the context of the heathen's actions against Jacob, it depicts a thorough and devastating destruction, implying that Jacob has been utterly depleted, brought to an end, or completely wasted by the oppressors. It emphasizes the totality of the suffering inflicted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not,"**: This clause is an imprecatory plea or prophetic declaration, calling upon God to unleash His intense, righteous wrath. The target is explicitly identified as "the heathen," referring to the gentile nations who are characterized by their profound spiritual ignorance and lack of relational knowledge of God. This indicates that their judgment is not merely for their actions but for their fundamental rebellion against the true God.
* **"and upon the families that call not on thy name:"**: This phrase further defines and expands upon the identity of the "heathen." "Families" (H4940, _mishpâchâh'_) can refer to clans, tribes, or peoples, reiterating the collective nature of the target. The phrase "call not on thy name" signifies a lack of worship, invocation, or acknowledgment of God's divine authority and identity. It highlights their spiritual estrangement and reinforces the idea that their actions stem from a deliberate rejection or disregard of Yahweh.
* **"for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him,"**: This section provides the justification for the requested divine fury. The actions of the heathen are described with vivid, escalating metaphors of consumption: "eaten up," "devoured," and "consumed." "Jacob" (H3290, _Yaʻăqôb'_) is a poetic and ancestral name for the nation of Israel, emphasizing their identity as God's covenant people. These metaphors powerfully convey the complete and destructive plundering, oppression, and near annihilation inflicted upon Israel by these foreign powers.
* **"and have made his habitation desolate."**: This final clause describes the devastating consequence of the heathen's actions. "Habitation" (H5116, _nâveh'_) refers to a dwelling place, home, or pasture, encompassing the land, cities, and even the Temple. To make it "desolate" (H8074, _shâmêm'_) means to lay waste, stun, or stupefy, indicating utter destruction and abandonment. This paints a picture of the physical ruin and emptiness left in the wake of the oppressors, confirming the profound suffering and displacement experienced by God's people.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 10:25 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message of divine justice and profound suffering. The verse opens with a direct **Imprecation**, a prayer or curse invoking divine punishment upon enemies. This is a common feature in prophetic and poetic literature, reflecting a deep cry for justice in the face of overwhelming evil. The actions of the heathen are described through a series of vivid **Metaphors** related to consumption: "eaten up," "devoured," and "consumed." These are not literal acts of cannibalism but powerful figures of speech illustrating the complete and destructive plundering and oppression of Israel. The repetition of these similar verbs creates a sense of escalating intensity and totality, emphasizing the extreme suffering inflicted upon Jacob. This also functions as a form of **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where successive clauses express similar ideas using different words to reinforce the message. The phrase "know thee not" and "call not on thy name" also exhibits **Parallelism**, highlighting the dual nature of their spiritual deficiency. The description of the devastation, culminating in making "his habitation desolate," could also be seen as **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used for emphasis, underscoring the extreme nature of the destruction and the deep anguish of the prophet.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 10:25 powerfully articulates the biblical principle of divine retribution against those who oppose God and oppress His people. It reveals a God who is not indifferent to suffering but is actively engaged in upholding justice in the world. While God uses nations as instruments of His judgment against His own disobedient people, He also holds those instruments accountable for their own unrighteousness, especially their spiritual ignorance and cruelty. This imprecation is not a call for personal vengeance but a plea for God's righteous character to be vindicated on the global stage, demonstrating that the God of Israel is the true sovereign over all nations. It foreshadows a day when all who reject God and harm His creation will face His ultimate judgment.

* [Nahum 1:2](/nahum/1-2 "Nahum 1:2 - God's Vengeance and Wrath")
* [Zechariah 2:8](/zechariah/2-8 "Zechariah 2:8 - Touching the Apple of God's Eye")
* [Isaiah 13:9-11](/isaiah/13-9 "Isaiah 13:9-11 - The Day of the Lord's Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 10:25 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God is indeed a God of justice who sees the suffering of His people and will ultimately hold all nations and individuals accountable. In a world often marked by injustice, oppression, and spiritual darkness, this verse validates the deep human cry for divine intervention and righteousness. It encourages us to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly bleak. While Christians are called to love their enemies and pray for their salvation, this passage also affirms that there is a righteous anger against evil and a legitimate longing for God's justice to prevail. It serves as a solemn warning to those who live in spiritual ignorance and actively oppose God's purposes, reminding them of the inevitable consequences of rejecting the Creator. For those who suffer, it offers the comfort that God is aware of their plight and will act in His perfect timing to bring about vindication and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character, particularly His justice and wrath?**
* **In what ways do you see "heathen" nations or "families that call not on God's name" acting in the world today, and how does this verse inform your prayers for them?**
* **How can believers balance the call to love enemies (Matthew 5:44) with the biblical examples of imprecatory prayers like Jeremiah 10:25?**
* **What does "knowing God" truly mean in this context, and how can we cultivate a deeper, more experiential knowledge of Him?**

### FAQ

**Is it appropriate for believers to pray imprecatory prayers like Jeremiah 10:25 today?**

Answer: This is a complex question. Imprecatory prayers, common in the Old Testament (e.g., in the Psalms and prophetic books), are appeals for God's judgment upon His enemies or the enemies of His people. While they reflect a righteous longing for justice in the face of severe oppression and a recognition of God's sovereignty, the New Testament introduces a new dynamic. Believers are called to love their enemies, pray for those who persecute them, and seek their salvation (e.g., [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies"), [Romans 12:14](/romans/12-14 "Romans 12:14 - Bless Those Who Persecute You")). However, this does not negate God's ultimate justice. Instead, it shifts the focus of the believer's personal response. While we may not pray for the destruction of individuals, we can and should pray for God's justice to prevail, for evil to be restrained, and for oppressors to be brought to account or to repentance. Ultimately, all judgment belongs to God, and He will execute it perfectly in His time, as seen in the ultimate judgment described in [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment").

**Who are "Jacob" and the "heathen" in this verse?**

Answer: "Jacob" (H3290, _Yaʻăqôb'_) is a poetic and ancestral name for the nation of Israel, God's covenant people. It emphasizes their lineage from the patriarch Jacob and their unique relationship with God. In Jeremiah's time, "Jacob" refers specifically to the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. The "heathen" (H1471, _gôwy'_) refers to the gentile nations, particularly the powerful empires of Jeremiah's day, such as Babylon, who were instruments of God's judgment against Israel but also acted with their own cruel intentions, oppressing and devastating God's people. They are characterized by their spiritual ignorance ("know thee not") and their failure to worship the true God ("call not on thy name").

**What does it mean that the heathen "know thee not" and "call not on thy name"?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the fundamental spiritual deficiency of the gentile nations. "Know" (H3045, _yâdaʻ'_) in biblical terms goes beyond mere intellectual understanding; it implies a deep, experiential, and relational knowledge, often covenantal in nature. Therefore, "know thee not" means they lack a personal, saving relationship with God, failing to acknowledge His sovereignty, character, and commands. "Call not on thy name" (H7121, _qârâʼ'_ on H8034, _shêm'_) signifies a complete absence of worship, prayer, or invocation of Yahweh. They do not recognize Him as the true God worthy of honor and submission. This spiritual blindness and rejection of God are presented as the root cause of their destructive actions and the basis for God's righteous judgment against them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 10:25, with its plea for divine fury upon the nations that oppress "Jacob" and do not know God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament imprecations often focused on physical enemies and national vindication, the New Testament reveals that the true "Jacob" is now the spiritual Israel, the Church, comprised of all who are in Christ, both Jew and Gentile ([Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28-29 - One in Christ")). The "fury" of God, once poured out in historical judgments, was ultimately poured out upon Christ on the cross, as He bore the wrath for the sins of humanity, including the spiritual ignorance and rebellion of all who "know not God" ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Propitiation Through Faith")). Jesus, the Lamb of God, became the ultimate "Jacob" who was "eaten up, devoured, and consumed" by suffering and death, yet through His resurrection, He triumphed over the powers of darkness and desolation ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Furthermore, the final judgment upon the nations who reject God and persecute His people will be executed by Christ Himself upon His glorious return, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow"), [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, the longing for justice expressed in Jeremiah finds its perfect and complete satisfaction in Christ's atoning work and His future reign, where He will finally make all things new and establish perfect justice for His redeemed people ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 79:6

¶ Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

Psalms 79:7

For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.

Jeremiah 8:16

The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.

Psalms 14:4

¶ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

Job 18:21

Surely such [are] the dwellings of the wicked, and this [is] the place [of him that] knoweth not God.

Psalms 27:2

When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Ezekiel 25:6

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped [thine] hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;