Jeremiah 25:13

KJV

And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, [even] all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will bring {H935} upon that land {H776} all my words {H1697} which I have pronounced {H1696} against it, even all that is written {H3789} in this book {H5612}, which Jeremiah {H3414} hath prophesied {H5012} against all the nations {H1471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will inflict on that land all my words that I have decreed against it, everything written in this book, in which Yirmeyahu has prophesied against all the nations.

Berean Standard Bible

I will bring upon that land all the words I have pronounced against it, all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.

American Standard Version

And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 25:13 serves as a potent divine declaration, asserting Yahweh's unwavering commitment to execute every word of judgment He has pronounced, not only against the specific land of Babylon but, through Jeremiah's comprehensive prophetic ministry, against all the nations. This verse underscores the absolute certainty, divine origin, and universal scope of God's revealed will, emphasizing that His spoken and written prophecies are immutable and will inevitably come to pass, bringing about His just and sovereign purposes in history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 25:13 concludes a pivotal introductory section (Jeremiah 25:1-13) that encapsulates the core message of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry spanning twenty-three years. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 25:1-11) meticulously detail Judah's persistent disobedience and the impending seventy-year Babylonian captivity, explicitly identifying it as divine judgment. Verse 12 then shifts focus, pronouncing a reciprocal judgment upon Babylon itself, stating that after the seventy years, God will punish the king of Babylon and "that nation" for their iniquity. Verse 13, therefore, functions as a comprehensive summary and an emphatic divine guarantee, affirming that all the words of judgment—specifically those recorded in Jeremiah's prophetic "book"—will indeed be fulfilled, not only against Judah and Babylon but against the full array of nations mentioned in the prophet's broader message. It acts as a theological preface and an unyielding promise of the prophecies that follow, particularly the "cup of wrath" section (Jeremiah 25:15-38) and the extensive oracles against foreign nations found later in the book (Jeremiah 46-51).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 25 is precisely dated to the fourth year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, which significantly coincides with the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (Jeremiah 25:1). This period, roughly 605 BC, marked a critical watershed in ancient Near Eastern geopolitics, as Babylon decisively defeated Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish, solidifying its position as the preeminent imperial power. Judah found itself precariously situated between these two colossal empires, often attempting to navigate its survival through shifting and ultimately futile alliances. Culturally and spiritually, the people of Judah, despite relentless prophetic warnings, had largely abandoned their covenant with Yahweh, immersing themselves in rampant idolatry, pervasive social injustice, and syncretistic worship practices, mirroring the spiritual decline of the surrounding nations. Jeremiah's prophecies, including those directed against foreign nations, were not mere geopolitical predictions but profound theological declarations of Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and His universal demand for righteousness and justice, even from those who did not explicitly acknowledge Him.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 25:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching and foundational themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah and indeed, across biblical theology. Firstly, it emphatically highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute and unchallengeable control over the rise and fall of nations. He uses empires like Babylon as instruments of His judgment against His rebellious people, as clearly seen in [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - God's Instrument of Judgment"), but then holds those very instruments accountable for their own wickedness and pride, as prophesied in the expansive judgments against Babylon in [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Judgment on Babylon"). Secondly, the verse profoundly underscores the **Infallibility and Efficacy of God's Word**. The repeated phrases "all my words" and "all that is written" emphasize that God's declarations, whether spoken through His prophet or meticulously recorded, are not mere suggestions or possibilities but divine decrees that possess inherent power and will inevitably come to pass. This theme is foundational to understanding the nature of prophecy in the Old Testament, where the precise fulfillment of a prophet's words serves to validate their divine origin and authority (compare [Deuteronomy 18:21-22](/deuteronomy/18-21-22 "Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - Testing a True Prophet")). Finally, the explicit mention of "all the nations" points to **Universal Justice**, affirming that God's moral governance and righteous judgment extend far beyond Israel to encompass the entire world, holding all peoples accountable for their actions, their idolatry, and their defiance of His holy standards.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dâbâr (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** (H1697) Derived from the root `dâbar` (H1696), which means "to speak" or "to arrange," `dâbâr` refers to a "word," "matter," "thing," or "affair." In this context, "all my words" signifies God's divine utterances, decrees, and pronouncements. The comprehensive nature of "all my words" emphasizes that every single declaration, warning, and judgment originating from God will be fulfilled without exception. It highlights the active, performative power inherent in God's speech, where His word is not merely descriptive but effectively brings about what it declares.
* **kâthab (Hebrew, _kâthab'_):** (H3789) This is a primitive root meaning "to grave," and by implication, "to write," "describe," "inscribe," "prescribe," or "subscribe." The phrase "all that is written in this book" underscores the permanence, authority, and verifiable nature of Jeremiah's prophecies. It signifies that God's spoken word was not ephemeral but was meticulously recorded, serving as an enduring testament to His will and a concrete record against which future events could be measured. This dual emphasis on spoken and written word reinforces its immutability and reliability across generations.
* **gôwy (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** (H1471) This term refers to a "foreign nation" or "Gentile," often used collectively for the non-Israelite peoples. The phrase "against all the nations" dramatically broadens the scope of God's judgment beyond Judah and even Babylon to include all the surrounding kingdoms mentioned in Jeremiah's prophecies (e.g., Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Elam, Media). It emphasizes the universal reach of God's sovereignty and justice, demonstrating unequivocally that no nation or people group is outside His purview or exempt from accountability to His divine standards.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will bring upon that land":** This opening clause firmly establishes God as the sovereign agent, the one who actively initiates and executes judgment. "That land" primarily refers to Babylon, as explicitly indicated by the preceding verse (Jeremiah 25:12), which declares God's intention to punish the king of Babylon and "that nation" for their iniquity. This highlights God's strategic use of Babylon as an instrument of judgment against Judah, but also His subsequent, righteous judgment upon Babylon itself for its pride, cruelty, and excessive zeal.
* **"all my words which I have pronounced against it":** This specifies the precise content and origin of the judgment: it is entirely derived from God's own declarations. The phrase "all my words" emphasizes the totality, comprehensiveness, and divine authority of these pronouncements. The active voice "I have pronounced" underscores God's direct involvement and personal authority in speaking these judgments, making them undeniable, unavoidable, and certain of fulfillment.
* **"even all that is written in this book":** This parenthetical yet profoundly crucial phrase clarifies that the "words" pronounced by God are not only spoken but also formally recorded and preserved. "This book" refers to the collected prophecies of Jeremiah, emphasizing their divine inspiration and authoritative nature as a written revelation. The act of writing down the prophecies ensures their preservation, accuracy, and serves as a permanent testimony to God's warnings and intentions, making their future fulfillment verifiable and God's faithfulness undeniable.
* **"which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.":** This final clause identifies Jeremiah as the divinely chosen human instrument through whom God's words were delivered and meticulously recorded. Crucially, it expands the scope of the prophecy from the specific "that land" (Babylon) to encompass "all the nations," indicating that Jeremiah's prophetic ministry extended beyond Judah and Babylon to a wider array of foreign kingdoms. This reinforces the universal nature of God's sovereign rule, His impartial justice, and His comprehensive plan for judgment and, ultimately, redemption across the entire world.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 25:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine certainty and universal judgment with profound impact. The most prominent is **Repetition** and **Emphasis**, powerfully demonstrated through the recurring use of the quantifier "all" ("all my words," "all that is written," "all the nations"). This rhetorical device serves to underscore the comprehensive, exhaustive, and inescapable nature of God's judgment and the vast scope of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry. Nothing is omitted; every word will be fulfilled, and every nation is subject to God's righteous decree. There is also a clear and powerful example of **Divine Fiat** or **Authoritative Declaration**, as God is presented as the primary and irresistible actor ("I will bring," "I have pronounced"). This highlights His absolute sovereignty and the irresistible power of His divine will. The phrase "this book" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where the physical object (the collected prophetic scrolls) stands for the entire body of Jeremiah's divine messages, emphasizing their collected, authoritative, and enduring nature as a written revelation. Finally, the verse itself is a powerful example of **Prophetic Foretelling**, serving as a meta-statement about the inherent nature and unwavering reliability of all the prophecies contained within Jeremiah's extensive work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 25:13 is a profound theological statement on the absolute reliability and irresistible power of God's word, serving as a foundational anchor for the entire prophetic corpus. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty over all of history, demonstrating that He not only foretells future events but actively orchestrates their precise and inevitable fulfillment. The verse underscores that divine judgment is never arbitrary but is always a righteous and just response to sin, meticulously declared and recorded. It reveals a God who is utterly faithful to His warnings as much as He is to His promises, ensuring that perfect justice will ultimately prevail over all nations. This comprehensive scope of judgment highlights God's universal dominion and His unwavering moral governance over all humanity, extending far beyond His covenant people, Israel.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Void")
* [Deuteronomy 18:21-22](/deuteronomy/18-21-22 "Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - The Test of a True Prophet")
* [Psalm 9:17](/psalms/9-17 "Psalm 9:17 - The Wicked Shall Be Turned Into Hell, And All The Nations That Forget God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 25:13 offers enduring and vital lessons for contemporary believers, serving as a powerful reminder of the unchanging character of God and the immutable, effective nature of His word. In a world often characterized by profound uncertainty, shifting truths, and moral relativism, this verse provides a firm and unshakeable foundation: God's declarations are not subject to human whims, political contingencies, or the passage of time; they are eternal, effective, and perfectly reliable. This profound truth should cultivate within us a deep and abiding trust in His promises for salvation, His warnings against sin, and His ultimate control over all things, both individually and corporately. It also calls us to a sober consideration of our own accountability, recognizing that just as entire nations are held to account before a just God, so too are individuals. Furthermore, this verse encourages a global and missional perspective on God's active involvement in the affairs of all peoples and His ultimate plan to bring justice and redemption to the entire world. This understanding can profoundly fuel our fervent prayers for nations, strengthen our commitment to advocating for justice, and bolster our confidence in the ultimate and glorious triumph of God's righteous kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the absolute certainty of God's word, as expressed in Jeremiah 25:13, impact your trust in His promises for your own life and future?**
* **In what specific ways do you observe God's sovereign control over nations at work in the world today, even amidst apparent chaos and geopolitical turmoil?**
* **What responsibility does the church, as the body of Christ, have to faithfully speak God's "words" (biblical truth and prophetic warnings) to the "nations" (cultures and societies) in our present context?**

### FAQ

**What is "that land" referring to in Jeremiah 25:13?**

Answer: "That land" primarily refers to Babylon, specifically "the land of the Chaldeans." This is made clear by the preceding verse, [Jeremiah 25:12](/jeremiah/25-12 "Jeremiah 25:12 - Judgment on Babylon"), where God explicitly states His intention to punish the king of Babylon and "that nation" for their iniquity. While God's words of judgment are ultimately against "all the nations," the immediate and specific focus of "that land" in this context is on Babylon, which, after serving as God's instrument of judgment against Judah, would itself face divine retribution.

**What does "all that is written in this book" signify?**

Answer: "All that is written in this book" signifies the comprehensive collection of prophecies and divine messages delivered by Jeremiah throughout his extensive ministry, which were meticulously recorded and compiled. This phrase emphasizes the complete nature and divine authority of Jeremiah's written work. It underscores that God's word is not only spoken but also preserved in a tangible, verifiable form, ensuring its accuracy and serving as an enduring testimony to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His every declaration. It highlights the profound importance of the prophetic scrolls as a permanent, authoritative record of God's revealed will, intended to be read, understood, and witnessed by future generations as His word came to pass.

**Why does God bring judgment against "all the nations"?**

Answer: God brings judgment against "all the nations" because His absolute sovereignty extends over all humanity, and all peoples are inherently accountable to Him for their actions, their idolatry, and their defiance of His moral order. The Old Testament consistently portrays Yahweh as the universal King, the God of all creation, not merely the tribal deity of Israel. Nations, like individuals, engage in wickedness, injustice, oppression, and pride, and God, in His perfect righteousness and holiness, must hold them accountable. This universal judgment demonstrates His impartial justice, His ultimate control over the course of human history, and His unwavering commitment to establish His righteous kingdom across the entire earth. The vivid imagery of the "cup of wrath" in [Jeremiah 25:15-29](/jeremiah/25-15-29 "Jeremiah 25:15-29 - The Cup of God's Wrath") powerfully illustrates this universal scope of divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 25:13, with its profound emphasis on God's spoken and written words being brought to pass with absolute certainty against all nations, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest redemptive meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very **Word of God incarnate** ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the Beginning Was the Word"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the living embodiment of all that God has pronounced and written in the sacred Scriptures. Just as Jeremiah's prophecies were meticulously recorded and perfectly fulfilled in their historical context, so too is Christ the **fulfillment of all prophecy**—the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Fulfillment of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms")). He is the one through whom God's eternal purposes, encompassing both righteous judgment and glorious salvation, are perfectly executed.

Furthermore, the universal scope of judgment against "all the nations" in Jeremiah 25:13 powerfully points forward to Christ's **universal authority and ultimate judgment**. All authority in heaven and on earth has been irrevocably given to Him by the Father ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), and He is appointed by God to judge the living and the dead ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son Judges All"), [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Has Appointed a Day to Judge the World")). The "book" mentioned in Jeremiah, containing God's words of judgment, prefigures the **books of judgment** that will be opened before the Great White Throne, where all nations will ultimately stand before Christ, the righteous Judge ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). Ultimately, Christ is the faithful and true witness, the one who brings to perfect completion every word that proceeds from the mouth of God ([Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, Jeremiah 25:13 serves as a powerful testament to the sovereign God whose words are perfectly fulfilled, not only in historical events but supremely and eternally in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who is worthy to open the scroll and execute God's righteous decrees ([Revelation 5:1-5](/revelation/5-1-5 "Revelation 5:1-5 - The Scroll and the Lamb")).

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

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jeremiah 1:10

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Daniel 5:31

And Darius the Median took the kingdom, [being] about threescore and two years old.

Daniel 5:28

PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

Revelation 10:11

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.