Jeremiah 25:5

They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:

They said {H559}, Turn ye again {H7725} now every one {H376} from his evil {H7451} way {H1870}, and from the evil {H7455} of your doings {H4611}, and dwell {H3427} in the land {H127} that the LORD {H3068} hath given {H5414} unto you and to your fathers {H1} for {H5704} ever {H5769} and ever {H5769}:

The message was always: 'Every one of you, turn back from his evil way, from the evil of your actions. Then you will live in the land ADONAI gave you and your ancestors forever and ever.

The prophets told you, ‘Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and deeds, and you can dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever.

saying, Return ye now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that Jehovah hath given unto you and to your fathers, from of old and even for evermore;

Commentary on Jeremiah 25:5 (KJV)

Jeremiah 25:5 records the persistent plea from God's prophets to the people of Judah, urging them to abandon their wicked ways and return to Him. This verse encapsulates the core message of repentance and the conditional nature of God's covenant blessings.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Jeremiah chapter 25, delivered in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign (around 605 BC). This was a pivotal time, just before the first wave of Babylonian exile. Jeremiah had been prophesying for 23 years (Jeremiah 25:3), warning the people of impending judgment due to their idolatry and disobedience. The "They" in this verse refers to "all his servants the prophets" (Jeremiah 25:4) whom the LORD had sent repeatedly to call His people back to faithfulness. Despite decades of warnings, Judah largely refused to heed these divine messages, leading to their eventual seventy-year captivity in Babylon.

Key Themes

  • Divine Call to Repentance: The central message is an urgent command to "Turn ye again now every one from his evil way." This highlights God's patience and desire for His people to change their hearts and actions, even in the face of their prolonged rebellion.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The implication is clear: failure to repent would result in the loss of their right to "dwell in the land." God's warnings were not empty threats but sincere calls to avert disaster.
  • Covenant Loyalty: The phrase "the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever" refers to the covenant promise of the Promised Land, initially given to Abraham. While the land was an eternal gift, the ability to dwell securely in it was conditional upon obedience to God's law, as reiterated in passages like Deuteronomy 30:19-20.
  • God's Persistence: The repeated sending of prophets underscores God's enduring love and His unwillingness to abandon His people without giving them every opportunity to return to Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Turn ye again" translates the Hebrew word shuv (שוב), which means to "turn back," "return," or "repent." It signifies a complete turning away from sin and a turning back to God. It implies a change of direction, not just outwardly but also inwardly, encompassing both a change of mind and a change of behavior, moving away from "evil way" (inner disposition) and "evil of your doings" (outward actions).

Practical Application

Jeremiah 25:5 remains highly relevant for believers today. It serves as a timeless reminder that:

  • God Desires Repentance: Just as God called ancient Israel to repent, He continually calls all people to turn from their sin and turn to Him. This is not about earning salvation but about aligning our lives with His will.
  • Obedience Brings Blessing: While we no longer live under the Old Covenant's specific land promises, the principle holds: obedience to God's commands leads to spiritual flourishing and His blessings in our lives, whereas persistent disobedience brings negative consequences.
  • God's Patience and Mercy: Even when we stray, God's patience endures. He continually provides opportunities and calls us back to a right relationship with Him, demonstrating His abundant mercy.
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.

  • Jeremiah 7:7

    Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.

  • Genesis 17:8

    And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  • Isaiah 55:6

    ¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

  • Isaiah 55:7

    Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

  • Jeremiah 17:25

    Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.

  • Jeremiah 18:11

    ¶ Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

  • Ezekiel 18:30

    ¶ Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn [yourselves] from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

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