Jeremiah 25:11

And this whole land shall be a desolation, [and] an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

And this whole land {H776} shall be a desolation {H2723}, and an astonishment {H8047}; and these nations {H1471} shall serve {H5647} the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} seventy {H7657} years {H8141}.

This entire land will become a ruin, a waste; and these nations will serve the king of Bavel for seventy years.

And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.

And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

Jeremiah 25:11 is a pivotal prophetic declaration, outlining the severe consequences of Judah's persistent sin and rebellion against God. It serves as a stark warning of impending judgment and a precise foretelling of the Babylonian captivity.

Context of Jeremiah 25:11

The prophet Jeremiah delivered this message during the fourth year of King Jehoiakim's reign (around 605 BC), a critical period leading up to the first wave of the Babylonian exile. For decades, Jeremiah had tirelessly called Judah to repentance, but his warnings were largely ignored. This particular prophecy in Jeremiah chapter 25 summarizes God's judgment not only on Judah but also on surrounding nations, all of whom would fall under the dominion of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The verse specifically details the duration and nature of this divine punishment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Desolation: The phrase "this whole land shall be a desolation, [and] an astonishment" vividly portrays the complete ruin and shock that would befall Judah. It underscores the severity of God's wrath against idolatry, injustice, and disobedience. The Hebrew word for "desolation" (ḥorbāh) denotes utter ruin and waste, while "astonishment" (šammāh) conveys a state of horror and dismay.
  • Prophecy of the Seventy Years: The precise mention of "seventy years" for which "these nations shall serve the king of Babylon" is a cornerstone of biblical prophecy. This specific timeframe was not arbitrary; it was a divinely appointed period for Judah's purification and for the land to enjoy its Sabbath rests, which had been neglected (2 Chronicles 36:21). This prophecy was later understood and prayed over by Daniel (Daniel 9:2) and formed the basis for the exiles' hope of return.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: The prophecy highlights God's absolute control over world affairs, even using a pagan empire like Babylon as His instrument of judgment. Nebuchadnezzar is referred to as God's "servant" in Jeremiah 25:9, demonstrating that no earthly power can thwart His ultimate plans.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's "desolation" and "astonishment" are powerful translations of the Hebrew terms. Ḥorbāh (desolation) speaks to the physical destruction and abandonment of the land, while šammāh (astonishment) points to the psychological impact—the horror and shock of witnessing such devastation. Together, they convey the comprehensive nature of the judgment.

Practical Application and Reflection

Jeremiah 25:11 reminds us that God's warnings are serious and His prophecies are sure. While we live under the new covenant of grace, the principle remains that disobedience has consequences, and God is sovereign over all history. This verse also offers a profound lesson in God's faithfulness: even in judgment, there is a defined period, implying a future hope of restoration. The precision of the "seventy years" shows that God works according to His perfect timing and purpose, offering comfort that even difficult periods have an appointed end, as seen in the promise of return in Jeremiah 29:10.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 9:2

    In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

  • Zechariah 1:12

    Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

  • Jeremiah 25:12

    And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, [that] I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:21

    To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: [for] as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:22

    ¶ Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD [spoken] by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and [put it] also in writing, saying,

  • Zechariah 7:5

    Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh [month], even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me?

  • Jeremiah 12:11

    They have made it desolate, [and being] desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth [it] to heart.

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