Jeremiah 25:38 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God, like a lion leaving its shelter, brings desolation upon the land through His fierce anger and judgment.
The Context of Jeremiah 25:38
Final image: God as an avenging lion bringing judgment and desolation.
What Does Jeremiah 25:38 Mean?
The final image presents God as a lion that 'hath forsaken his covert'—leaving its lair to act in judgment. This depicts God moving from patient waiting to active, overwhelming judgment. The lion imagery conveys power, danger, and the inability to resist or escape.
The land becomes desolate 'because of the fierceness of the oppressor'—Babylon, the invading force—'and because of his fierce anger'—God's wrath. The desolation is the combined result of military invasion and divine judgment, showing that earthly instruments of war and divine justice work together.
Jeremiah 25:38 in the Original Language
covert (סֻכָּה, sukka) — shelter, hiding place, or lair. The lion's covert represents a place of rest or concealment that is now abandoned for action.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 25:38
What does Jeremiah 25:38 mean?
God, like a lion leaving its shelter, brings desolation upon the land through His fierce anger and judgment.
What is the context of Jeremiah 25:38?
Final image: God as an avenging lion bringing judgment and desolation.