Jeremiah 25:38

He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.

He hath forsaken {H5800} his covert {H5520}, as the lion {H3715}: for their land {H776} is desolate {H8047} because {H6440} of the fierceness {H2740} of the oppressor {H3238}, and because {H6440} of his fierce {H2740} anger {H639}.

Like a lion, he has abandoned his lair; for their land has become desolate because of the oppressor's fierce sword and because of ADONAI's fierce anger.

He has left His den like a lion, for their land has been made a desolation by the sword of the oppressor, and because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

He hath left his covert, as the lion; for their land is become an astonishment because of the fierceness of the oppressing sword, and because of his fierce anger.

Commentary

Jeremiah 25:38 KJV presents a powerful and somber image of divine judgment, concluding a section that details God's impending wrath upon Judah and the surrounding nations. The verse reads: "He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger."

Context of Jeremiah 25:38

This verse is the culmination of a significant prophetic chapter in Jeremiah. Chapter 25 marks the twenty-third year of Jeremiah's ministry and explicitly foretells the seventy years of Babylonian captivity for Judah and Jerusalem due to their persistent idolatry and rejection of God's prophets. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 25:30-37) describe God emerging as a roaring lion from His dwelling, bringing a great tempest of judgment upon the earth, consuming all nations. Verse 38 specifically focuses on the desolation of Judah, emphasizing that this calamity comes from the "fierceness of the oppressor" (Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar) and "his fierce anger," which ultimately reflects God's righteous indignation against sin.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The central theme is God's active and fierce judgment against sin. The metaphor of the lion leaving its "covert" signifies God's deliberate action, no longer holding back His righteous anger. This highlights God's sovereignty and His willingness to use even pagan nations as instruments of His will.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The desolation of the land is a direct result of Judah's unfaithfulness. The verse serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's word and commandments, leading to profound national suffering and exile.
  • The Role of the Oppressor: While Babylon is the immediate agent of destruction, the "oppressor" is ultimately executing God's decreed judgment. This demonstrates that even the most powerful human empires are subject to God's overarching plan and purpose.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Covert" (ืกื•ึผืšึฐ - sukh): This Hebrew word implies a thicket, a lair, or a hidden dwelling place. When the "lion" (representing God or His instrument) forsakes its covert, it signifies an emergence from a place of restraint or hiddenness, ready to unleash its full power and fury.
  • "Lion" (ืึทืจึฐื™ึตื” - aryeh): In biblical literature, the lion often symbolizes strength, power, and destructive force. Here, it vividly portrays the irresistible and terrifying nature of God's judgment. Other prophets also use this imagery to describe God's coming judgment, such as Hosea 13:7.
  • "Oppressor" (ื™ื•ึนื ึธื” - yonah): While this word can sometimes refer to a dove, in this context, it clearly derives from a root meaning "to oppress" or "to violently destroy." It refers to the Babylonian empire, the instrument of God's wrath, whose "fierce anger" contributes to the land's desolation.

Practical Application and Reflection

Jeremiah 25:38 serves as a timeless warning about the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God's judgment. It reminds us that God is not indifferent to human rebellion; He is just and will hold nations and individuals accountable. While the immediate context was the Babylonian invasion, the principle remains: persistent disobedience leads to destructive consequences. For believers, this verse underscores the importance of repentance, obedience, and trusting in God's mercy. It also reminds us that even through difficult times, God remains sovereign, working His purposes even through what appears to be chaos, ultimately leading to His glory and the fulfillment of His promises.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 4:7

    The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; [and] thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

  • Jeremiah 5:6

    Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, [and] a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased.

  • Hosea 13:7

    Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe [them]:

  • Hosea 13:8

    I will meet them as a bear [that is] bereaved [of her whelps], and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

  • Hosea 5:14

    For I [will be] unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, [even] I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue [him].

  • Zechariah 2:3

    And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,

  • Amos 8:8

    Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as [by] the flood of Egypt.
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