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.

And it shall come to pass, when seventy {H7657} years {H8141} are accomplished {H4390}, that I will punish {H6485} the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and that nation {H1471}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, for their iniquity {H5771}, and the land {H776} of the Chaldeans {H3778}, and will make {H7760} it perpetual {H5769} desolations {H8077}.

But when the seventy years are over, I will punish the king of Bavel and that nation for their sin,' says ADONAI, 'and I will turn the land of the Kasdim into everlasting ruins.

But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation.

And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith Jehovah, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it desolate for ever.

Context of Jeremiah 25:12

Jeremiah 25:12 is a pivotal verse within the prophet Jeremiah's extensive collection of prophecies concerning God's judgment and future plans. This specific declaration follows immediately after the announcement of Judah's impending seventy years of Babylonian captivity and desolation. Here, the focus shifts from the punishment of Judah to the future judgment of Babylon itself, the very instrument God used to chastise His people. The prophet delivered these words during the reign of King Jehoiakim, anticipating the rise and fall of the mighty Babylonian Empire.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The verse powerfully asserts God's unwavering commitment to justice. Even though Babylon was used by God to punish Judah, its own "iniquity"—its pride, cruelty, and idolatry—would not go unpunished. This demonstrates that God holds all nations accountable for their actions, regardless of their temporary role in His divine plan.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: The phrase "saith the LORD" underscores the absolute authority of God over the rise and fall of empires. He orchestrates world events, setting specific timelines ("when seventy years are accomplished") for both judgment and restoration. This theme is echoed throughout prophetic literature, affirming God's control over human history (Daniel 2:21).
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse is a precise foretelling of the Babylonian Empire's eventual downfall after a specific period. The "seventy years" referred to the duration of Judah's exile, after which God promised to intervene. This prophecy served as a beacon of hope for the exiles, assuring them that their suffering had an end point and that their oppressors would face consequences.

Linguistic Insight

The term "iniquity" (Hebrew: עָוֹן, 'avon) denotes moral evil, guilt, and the punishment resulting from it. It highlights that Babylon's judgment was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of its deep-seated wickedness and defiance of God. The phrase "perpetual desolations" (Hebrew: שַׁמּוֹת עוֹלָם, shammot 'olam) emphasizes the complete and lasting ruin that would befall the land of the Chaldeans, a fate that indeed came to pass as Babylon lost its prominence and eventually became a desolate ruin.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Significance

The prophecy of the seventy years was meticulously fulfilled. As predicted, the Babylonian Empire fell to the Medes and Persians under King Cyrus. This event is documented in historical accounts and referenced in the Bible in Daniel 5:30-31. The Jewish exiles were then permitted to return to their homeland, a fulfillment of God's promise of restoration (Jeremiah 29:10). The subsequent decline and eventual desolation of the physical city of Babylon, as foretold by Jeremiah and other prophets like Isaiah 13:19-22, stands as a powerful testament to the accuracy and reliability of biblical prophecy.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 25:12 offers profound lessons for today. It reassures believers that God remains actively involved in human affairs, exercising ultimate control over nations and their leaders. It reminds us that justice will ultimately prevail, and no nation or individual, however powerful, can escape accountability for their actions before a holy God. For those facing oppression or hardship, this verse offers hope: God's timeline for suffering has an end, and His promises of judgment on oppressors and restoration for His people are sure. It calls us to trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering faithfulness to His word.

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.

  • Isaiah 13:19

    ¶ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

  • Jeremiah 29:10

    For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

  • Isaiah 14:23

    I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Jeremiah 50:1

    ¶ The word that the LORD spake against Babylon [and] against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.

  • Jeremiah 50:46

    At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.

  • Ezra 1:1

    ¶ Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, 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,

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