Jeremiah 25:33

And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

And the slain {H2491} of the LORD {H3068} shall be at that day {H3117} from one end {H7097} of the earth {H776} even unto the other end {H7097} of the earth {H776}: they shall not be lamented {H5594}, neither gathered {H622}, nor buried {H6912}; they shall be dung {H1828} upon {H6440} the ground {H127}.

On that day, those killed by ADONAI will be strewn from one end of the earth to the other; they will not be mourned or gathered or buried, but will lie on the ground like dung.

Those slain by the LORD on that day will be spread from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned, gathered, or buried. They will be like dung lying on the ground.

And the slain of Jehovah shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the face of the ground.

Commentary

Jeremiah 25:33 (KJV): "And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground."

Context of Jeremiah 25:33

This sobering verse is found within a powerful prophecy delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, likely around the fourth year of King Jehoiakim's reign (605 BC). Chapter 25 serves as a pivotal point, summarizing Jeremiah's messages of impending judgment against Judah and Jerusalem, and then expanding this judgment to include all the nations of the earth. The immediate context speaks of the seventy years of Babylonian captivity for Judah, after which Babylon itself would face divine retribution. Jeremiah 25:15-29 describes God giving Jeremiah a "cup of fury" to make all nations drink, signifying a universal judgment. Verse 33 describes the devastating, global consequences of this judgment, painting a picture of widespread death and dishonor.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Universal and Severe Divine Judgment: The phrase "from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth" emphasizes the unparalleled scale and universality of God's wrath. This is not a localized conflict but a worldwide reckoning, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all nations and His absolute justice.
  • Utter Dishonor and Lack of Lamentation: The prophecy that the slain "shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried" signifies the ultimate humiliation and disgrace. In ancient cultures, a proper burial was crucial for dignity and respect; its absence represented a profound curse and utter rejection. Their bodies becoming "dung upon the ground" further underscores their complete worthlessness in death, serving as a stark warning of the consequences of persistent rebellion against God.
  • God's Sovereignty and Justice: This verse powerfully illustrates that God is the ultimate judge of all humanity. His judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to widespread sin and rebellion, culminating in a devastating display of His righteous anger. It foreshadows a day when all will answer for their actions, as depicted in the great winepress of the wrath of God.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Slain of the LORD": This specific phrasing, chalalei Yahweh (Χ—Φ·ΧœΦ°ΧœΦ΅Χ™ Χ™Φ°Χ”Χ•ΦΈΧ”), indicates that the deaths are not merely casualties of war or natural disaster, but directly brought about by God's decree and intervention. It highlights the divine hand behind the devastation.
  • "Dung upon the ground": The Hebrew word used here, domen (Χ“ΦΉΦΌΧžΦΆΧŸ), refers to excrement or refuse. This is an extremely strong and degrading image, conveying the ultimate state of dishonor, decay, and worthlessness for the unburied dead. It implies they are left to rot and become fertilizer for the land, completely stripped of any human dignity.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 25:33 serves as a profound and sobering reminder of God's holy character and His unwavering justice. For a contemporary audience, it underscores several vital truths:

  • The Gravity of Sin: The severity of this judgment reveals the seriousness with which God views sin and rebellion. It's a call to reflect on our own actions and align them with His will.
  • Urgency of Repentance: This prophecy should inspire a sense of urgency for repentance and seeking God's mercy while it is available. It stands in stark contrast to the hope offered to those who turn to God, as seen in Lamentations 3:22-23, which speaks of God's great mercies.
  • God's Ultimate Authority: It reaffirms that God is sovereign over all creation and all nations. No one is beyond His reach or His judgment. This truth can bring both fear of the Lord and comfort, knowing that ultimately, justice will prevail.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 66:16

    For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

  • Jeremiah 8:2

    And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

  • Psalms 79:3

    Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them].

  • Isaiah 5:25

    Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases [were] torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

  • Jeremiah 16:4

    They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

  • Jeremiah 16:7

    Neither shall [men] tear [themselves] for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall [men] give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.

  • Revelation 11:9

    And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
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