Jeremiah 25:30

KJV

¶ Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread [the grapes], against all the inhabitants of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore prophesy {H5012} thou against them all these words {H1697}, and say {H559} unto them, The LORD {H3068} shall roar {H7580} from on high {H4791}, and utter {H5414} his voice {H6963} from his holy {H6944} habitation {H4583}; he shall mightily {H7580} roar {H7580} upon his habitation {H5116}; he shall give {H6030} a shout {H1959}, as they that tread {H1869} the grapes, against all the inhabitants {H3427} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"As for you, [Yirmeyahu,] prophesy all these words against them; say to them, 'ADONAI is roaring from on high, raising his voice from his holy dwelling, roaring with might against his own habitation, shouting out loud, like those who tread grapes, against everyone living on earth.

Berean Standard Bible

So you are to prophesy all these words against them and say to them: ‘The LORD will roar from on high; He will raise His voice from His holy habitation. He will roar loudly over His pasture; like those who tread the grapes, He will call out with a shout against all the inhabitants of the earth.

American Standard Version

Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, Jehovah will roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he will mightily roar against his fold; he will give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 25:30 serves as a profound prophetic declaration, unveiling the LORD's imminent and comprehensive judgment upon all nations, including Judah. It vividly portrays God as a divine warrior, roaring from His transcendent, holy dwelling and unleashing a devastating shout likened to the violent trampling of grapes in a winepress. This verse powerfully underscores God's absolute sovereignty, His righteous indignation against widespread rebellion, and the terrifying certainty of His coming wrath, ensuring that no inhabitant of the earth will escape His ultimate decree.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 25 is a pivotal chapter, delivered in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim's reign (605 BC), a critical juncture just prior to Nebuchadnezzar's first invasion of Judah. The chapter commences with a comprehensive indictment of Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience over 23 years, culminating in the prophecy of the seventy-year Babylonian captivity for Judah and surrounding nations, as detailed in [Jeremiah 25:1-14](/jeremiah/25-1-14 "Jeremiah 25:1-14 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity"). Following this, the prophecy expands to a global scope, introducing the potent imagery of the "cup of God's wrath" which Jeremiah is commanded to make all nations drink, signifying a universal judgment (see [Jeremiah 25:15-29](/jeremiah/25-15-29 "Jeremiah 25:15-29 - The Cup of God's Wrath")). Verse 30 specifically describes the manner and intense nature of this divine judgment, transitioning from the symbolic cup to a direct, audible, and terrifying manifestation of God's wrath, thereby setting the stage for the subsequent lament and widespread destruction described in [Jeremiah 25:31-38](/jeremiah/25-31-38 "Jeremiah 25:31-38 - The Slaughter of the Nations").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Jeremiah 25 was delivered during a period of intense geopolitical upheaval in the ancient Near East. The Babylonian Empire was rapidly ascending, having decisively defeated Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC, which effectively ended Assyrian and Egyptian dominance in the region. Judah, caught between these rising and falling superpowers, had repeatedly vacillated in its alliances and remained unrepentant despite Jeremiah's persistent warnings. Culturally, the imagery of a roaring lion resonated deeply in the ancient Near East, where lions were revered symbols of power, royalty, and danger, often associated with divine judgment or kingly might. The "treading of grapes" was a common agricultural practice, and its association with judgment would have been immediately understood as a metaphor for crushing, violent destruction and the shedding of blood, akin to the juice flowing from grapes in a winepress. This imagery taps into a rich biblical tradition of God's wrath being poured out like wine, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 63:3](/isaiah/63-3 "Isaiah 63:3 - God Treading the Winepress of Wrath").
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 25:30 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, portraying Yahweh as the supreme and active judge over all the earth, not exclusively Israel. His "roaring" and "shouting" signify a deliberate, inescapable, and terrifying judgment against widespread sin and rebellion, underscoring His absolute authority over nations and their destinies. Secondly, the phrase "from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation" highlights **God's Transcendent Holiness and Justice**, indicating that this judgment originates from His heavenly throne, a place of purity and righteousness. This ensures that His decrees are not arbitrary but flow from His perfect character. Finally, the vivid metaphors convey **Irresistible Power and Inevitable Destruction**, reinforcing the theme that no one can escape the coming wrath of God. The imagery of a lion's roar and the treading of grapes paints a picture of overwhelming force and total devastation, serving as a stark warning to all who defy Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this word signifies "a word," but by implication, it can also mean "a matter" or "thing." In this context, it refers to the entirety of the prophetic message Jeremiah is commanded to deliver, emphasizing that every aspect of this divine declaration is a weighty and authoritative "word" from the LORD.
* **Roar (Hebrew, _shâʼag'_):** From H7580, this primitive root means "to rumble or moan," specifically used for the roar of a lion. In this context, it signifies God's powerful and terrifying declaration of judgment, akin to a lion's roar signaling its presence and imminent attack. It evokes fear and the overwhelming power of divine wrath, indicating an active and forceful intervention.
* **Shout (Hebrew, _hêydâd'_):** From H1959, this word denotes "acclamation" or "shouting." Here, it refers to a battle cry or a shout of triumph that accompanies the act of judgment, particularly in the context of treading grapes. It implies a loud, forceful utterance that precedes or accompanies a destructive act, emphasizing the decisive and public nature of God's intervention and the inevitability of His triumph in judgment.
* **Tread (Hebrew, _dârak'_):** From H1869, a primitive root meaning "to tread" or "to walk." In the context of "tread [the grapes]," it refers to the physical act of crushing grapes in a winepress. This vivid agricultural metaphor is consistently used in prophetic literature to depict the violent, destructive, and bloody nature of divine judgment, where the wicked are "trampled" under God's wrath, their lives crushed and their blood spilled like grape juice.
* **Inhabitants (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, this primitive root means "to sit down," and by implication, "to dwell" or "to remain." Here, it refers to those who reside or dwell within a place, emphasizing that the judgment is directed at all who have settled and made their home on the earth, indicating a comprehensive and inescapable reach.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them":** This opening clause serves as a direct divine command to Jeremiah, emphasizing his indispensable role as God's authoritative messenger. It underscores that the ensuing prophecy is not Jeremiah's own sentiment but a direct, comprehensive revelation from the LORD, intended for "all these words" to be faithfully delivered to "them"—referring to the nations previously addressed in the chapter, including Judah.
* **"The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation":** This powerful declaration introduces God (YHVH, H3068), the covenant-keeping and supreme authority, as the active agent of judgment. His "roaring from on high" (H4791, altitude/height) and "uttering his voice from his holy habitation" (H4583, abode/dwelling place; H6944, sacred) vividly depict God's judgment originating from His transcendent, heavenly, and sacred dwelling place. This signifies that the judgment is righteous, authoritative, and flows from the ultimate source of power, purity, and holiness.
* **"he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread [the grapes]":** The repetition of "roar" (H7580, intensified by H8800, "mightily") amplifies the imagery, suggesting an overwhelming, thunderous sound that is impossible to ignore. The phrase "upon his habitation" (H5116, home/dwelling place) can refer broadly to the earth, or more specifically to Jerusalem/Judah as His chosen dwelling, indicating that judgment often begins with His own people. The subsequent "shout" (H1959) is then explicitly compared to "they that tread the grapes" (H1869), a vivid and visceral metaphor for the crushing, violent, and bloody nature of God's wrath, where nations are trampled and destroyed like grapes in a winepress.
* **"against all the inhabitants of the earth":** This concluding phrase unequivocally broadens the scope of the judgment to be universal and all-encompassing. "Inhabitants" (H3427, those who dwell/sit) of "the earth" (H776, the land/world) signifies that no nation, people group, or individual will be exempt from this sweeping divine reckoning. It powerfully reinforces the theme of God's global sovereignty and the comprehensive, inescapable nature of His impending wrath.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 25:30 is exceptionally rich in **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, creating a vivid and terrifying depiction of divine judgment. The central **Metaphor** of God as a **roaring lion** (Hebrew _sha'ag_) is potent, conveying His immense power, majesty, and the imminent, terrifying nature of His attack. This is further amplified by the strong **Auditory Imagery** of God "uttering His voice" and giving a "shout," suggesting a thunderous, inescapable declaration of wrath that resounds across the earth. The most striking **Simile** is "as they that tread [the grapes]," which employs a familiar agricultural process to represent the violent, crushing, and bloody destruction that awaits the wicked. This **Metaphor** of the divine winepress is a common and powerful biblical motif for judgment. The repetition of "roar" (a form of **Anaphora** or **Repetition for Emphasis**) intensifies the sense of overwhelming power and the certainty of God's action. The use of **Spatial Language** in phrases like "from on high, and... from his holy habitation" emphasizes God's transcendence and the divine origin of His judgment, while "upon his habitation" and "against all the inhabitants of the earth" highlight the universal and inescapable scope of this impending wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 25:30 powerfully articulates the biblical truth of God's absolute sovereignty and His role as the righteous judge of all the earth. This verse underscores that God's patience is not infinite and that persistent rebellion against His holiness will inevitably lead to divine retribution. The imagery of His roaring from His holy habitation emphasizes that judgment flows from His very character—a God who is both holy and just, unable to tolerate unrighteousness indefinitely. This judgment is not arbitrary but a necessary consequence of humanity's sin, demonstrating that God holds all nations accountable for their actions and that His ultimate authority extends over every corner of creation. It serves as a stark reminder that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also a consuming fire, and His word of judgment, once uttered, is certain to be fulfilled.

* [Isaiah 42:13](/isaiah/42-13 "Isaiah 42:13 - The LORD Goes Forth Like a Warrior")
* [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - The Winepress of God's Judgment")
* [Amos 1:2](/amos/1-2 "Amos 1:2 - The LORD Roars from Zion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 25:30 calls us to a profound reflection on the nature of God and our posture before Him. The terrifying imagery of God's roar and the treading of grapes serves as a sober reminder of the gravity of sin and the certainty of divine judgment. For those living in disobedience, it is a clarion call to urgent repentance, emphasizing that God's warnings are not empty threats but expressions of His righteous character and His desire for humanity to turn from destruction. For believers, this verse, while awe-inspiring, also offers a deep sense of security and comfort. Knowing that God is the supreme judge who will ultimately bring justice to all the earth assures us that evil will not prevail indefinitely and that His perfect plan will be fully realized. It compels us to live lives that honor His holiness, to take His word seriously, and to share the urgent message of repentance and reconciliation with a world that desperately needs to hear it before the roar of judgment becomes a terrifying reality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God "roaring" and "treading grapes" impact your understanding of His justice and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or as a society, be "inhabitants of the earth" who are resisting God's warnings today?**
* **What is your personal response to the certainty of God's universal judgment? Does it evoke fear, comfort, or a call to action?**
* **How should the truth of God's ultimate judgment influence the way we live, speak, and interact with the world around us?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that God is angry or vengeful?**

Answer: While the imagery of roaring and treading grapes certainly conveys God's intense displeasure and the destructive consequences of His judgment, it's crucial to understand this not as arbitrary vengeance but as righteous indignation against sin and rebellion. God's holiness and justice demand that He respond to persistent unrighteousness. His actions are always consistent with His perfect character. The "wrath of God" in Scripture is often understood as His settled, holy opposition to all that is evil, rather than an uncontrolled outburst of emotion. This judgment is a necessary outworking of His covenant faithfulness and His commitment to upholding moral order in His creation. As [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness") states, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."

**How can a loving God unleash such a terrifying judgment on "all the inhabitants of the earth"?**

Answer: This question touches on the profound tension between God's boundless love and His perfect justice. The Bible consistently presents God as both infinitely loving and perfectly just. His love is profoundly demonstrated in His patience, His repeated warnings, and His ultimate provision of a way of salvation through Christ, as beautifully articulated in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World"). However, His justice requires that sin be punished. When humanity persistently rejects His warnings, spurns His grace, and continues in rebellion, God's justice must prevail. The judgment described here is a consequence of widespread, unrepentant sin, not an act of random cruelty. It underscores that God's love does not negate His holiness or His unwavering commitment to righteousness, and that ultimately, He will set all things right, ensuring that every wrong is addressed and every act of rebellion receives its just recompense.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 25:30 speaks of God's universal judgment, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment is found in how Jesus Christ both embodies and averts this divine wrath. The terrifying roar of God's judgment, meant for "all the inhabitants of the earth," was uniquely absorbed by Christ on the cross. He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), stepping into the winepress of God's wrath so that all who believe in Him might be spared its crushing force. The "shout" of judgment that tramples the wicked is transformed, for believers, into the triumphant cry of "It is finished!" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Last Words on the Cross")), signifying the completed work of redemption and the payment in full for sin. Furthermore, Christ Himself is depicted as the one who will execute final judgment, returning with a sharp sword to strike down the nations and "tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" ([Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - Christ's Return in Judgment")). Thus, Jeremiah's prophecy points to the righteous judgment of God, which is both satisfied in Christ's atoning sacrifice for believers and will be perfectly executed by Christ at His glorious second coming for those who reject Him, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all creation and His role as the just and final Judge.

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

Amos 1:2

And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.

Isaiah 42:13

¶ The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.

Joel 3:16

The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Isaiah 16:9

Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.

Deuteronomy 26:15

Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

Jeremiah 48:33

And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; [their] shouting [shall be] no shouting.

1 Kings 9:3

And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.