Jeremiah 25:29

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.

For, lo, I begin {H2490} to bring evil {H7489} on the city {H5892} which is called {H7121} by my name {H8034}, and should ye be utterly {H5352} unpunished {H5352}? Ye shall not be unpunished {H5352}: for I will call {H7121} for a sword {H2719} upon all the inhabitants {H3427} of the earth {H776}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}.

For, look! - if I am bringing disaster on the city that bears my own name, do you expect to go unpunished? Yes, I will summon a sword for all the inhabitants of the earth,' says ADONAI.

For behold, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My Name, so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of Hosts.’

For, lo, I begin to work evil at 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 Jehovah of hosts.

Jeremiah 25:29 (KJV) delivers a stern warning from God through the prophet Jeremiah, emphasizing the certainty and universal scope of divine judgment.

Context

This verse is part of a significant prophecy in Jeremiah chapter 25, delivered in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim's reign, which coincides with the first year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign over Babylon. Jeremiah had been prophesying for 23 years, calling Judah to repentance, but they had largely ignored his warnings. The preceding verses in this chapter detail God's judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, specifically mentioning the impending seventy years of Babylonian captivity. Verse 29 expands this local judgment to a global scale, indicating that if God's own chosen people, "the city which is called by my name" (Jerusalem), will face His wrath, then no nation on earth can expect to escape accountability for their sins.

Key Themes

  • Divine Impartiality in Judgment: The verse powerfully illustrates that God's justice is not limited to one nation or people. If judgment begins with His own house, it will certainly extend to others. This echoes the sentiment found in 1 Peter 4:17.
  • Universal Scope of Judgment: The phrase "all the inhabitants of the earth" underscores that God's sovereignty and justice extend over every nation and individual. No one is exempt from His ultimate reckoning.
  • God's Sovereignty and Authority: The declaration "saith the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) affirms God's absolute control and power to execute His decrees. He is not merely observing; He is actively bringing about these events.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The rhetorical question, "should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished," highlights the inevitable consequences of persistent sin and rebellion against God's commands.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "evil" (רָעָה - ra'ah) in this context does not refer to moral evil on God's part, but rather to calamity, disaster, or affliction brought about by His judgment. It signifies the severe consequences that result from human sin and disobedience. The title "LORD of hosts" (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת - Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme authority as the commander of heavenly armies and all creation, reinforcing His ability to bring about the declared judgment.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 25:29 serves as a timeless reminder of God's holiness and justice. It teaches us that:

  1. Accountability is Universal: Every person and nation is accountable to God for their actions. No one can hide from His sight or escape the consequences of unrighteousness.
  2. God's Patience Has Limits: While God is long-suffering, His patience is not infinite. There comes a point when He acts to bring about justice, even for His own people.
  3. Call to Repentance: The certainty of judgment should compel individuals and nations to seek repentance and turn to God. Understanding God's character as both loving and just encourages a proper fear and reverence for Him.

This verse underscores the serious nature of sin and the unwavering commitment of God to uphold righteousness throughout His creation.

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.

  • 1 Peter 4:17

    For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

  • Ezekiel 38:21

    And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.

  • Proverbs 11:31

    ¶ Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

  • 1 Kings 8:43

    Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as [do] thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

  • Jeremiah 49:12

    For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment [was] not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and [art] thou he [that] shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink [of it].

  • Ezekiel 9:6

    Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house.

  • Obadiah 1:16

    For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, [so] shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.

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