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].
For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Behold, they whose judgment {H4941} was not to drink {H8354} of the cup {H3563} have assuredly {H8354} drunken {H8354}; and art thou he that shall altogether {H5352} go unpunished {H5352}? thou shalt not go unpunished {H5352}, but thou shalt surely {H8354} drink {H8354} of it.
For this is what ADONAI says: "Those who do not deserve to drink from this cup will have to drink it anyway, so should you go unpunished? No, you will not go unpunished; you will certainly drink it.
For this is what the LORD says: “If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, can you possibly remain unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for you must drink it too.
For thus saith Jehovah: Behold, they to whom it pertained not to drink of the cup shall assuredly drink; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink.
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Jeremiah 25:28
And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink. -
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. -
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. -
Lamentations 4:21
¶ Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked. -
Lamentations 4:22
The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins. -
Jeremiah 46:27
But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make [him] afraid. -
Proverbs 17:5
¶ Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Jeremiah 49:12 delivers a stern prophetic declaration from the LORD concerning the certainty of divine judgment, particularly aimed at the nation of Edom. The verse emphasizes that if even those who might seem less deserving of such severe punishment have experienced it, then Edom, known for its pride and antagonism towards Israel, will assuredly not escape.
Context of Jeremiah 49:12
Chapter 49 of Jeremiah contains a series of prophecies against various foreign nations surrounding Judah, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all peoples. These prophecies include pronouncements against Ammon, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam, but Jeremiah 49:12 is specifically part of the judgment against Edom (verses 7-22).
Edom, located southeast of Judah, was descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, making them distant relatives of the Israelites. Despite this familial tie, Edom maintained a long history of hostility and animosity towards Israel, often rejoicing in their misfortunes (as seen in Psalm 137:7 and the entire book of Obadiah). The phrase "they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken" likely refers to Judah or other nations who, though perhaps less wicked or more aligned with God's covenant, still suffered severe judgment and exile. This sets a precedent: if God's own people or others less deserving of wrath experienced the "cup," Edom, a consistently hostile and proud nation, would certainly not be spared.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The central metaphor, "the cup" (Hebrew: kos, כּוֹס), is a rich biblical image representing one's destiny or portion, often specifically God's wrath. The phrase "go unpunished" uses the Hebrew verb naqah (נָקָה), which means to be clean, innocent, or acquitted. The emphatic negative ("thou shalt not go unpunished") followed by the positive confirmation ("thou shalt surely drink [of it]") leaves no doubt about the severity and inevitability of Edom's judgment.
Related Scriptures
The principle that judgment begins with God's own people, and if they suffer, the unrighteous will surely suffer more, is echoed in the New Testament: "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?" (1 Peter 4:17). Similarly, Proverbs 11:31 states, "If the righteous be recompensed in the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner." Edom's pride, a key reason for their downfall, is extensively detailed in the book of Obadiah.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 49:12 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths. Firstly, God is a God of justice, and His judgment is neither arbitrary nor escapable for those who persist in sin. Secondly, it underscores the principle of accountability for all, whether nations or individuals. If even those who have a relationship with God face consequences for disobedience, then those who outright reject Him or live in open rebellion will face even greater judgment. This verse calls us to humility, repentance, and a reverent fear of God, recognizing that our actions have eternal consequences. It encourages us to seek God's mercy and walk in His ways, rather than presuming upon His patience or believing we can escape the just recompense for our deeds.