Jeremiah 25:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will send Nebuchadrezzar and his armies from the north to utterly destroy Judah and surrounding nations.
The Context of Jeremiah 25:9
God's specific judgment: Babylonian invasion under Nebuchadrezzar.
What Does Jeremiah 25:9 Mean?
The instrument of judgment will be Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon. Remarkably, God calls him 'my servant'—not because Nebuchadrezzar knows or worships God, but because the LORD employs him as the agent of divine judgment. The armies come from 'all the families of the north,' a comprehensive force.
The destruction described is total and devastating. It will not be limited to Judah but will extend to 'all these nations round about.' The people will be 'utterly destroyed,' and the land will become 'an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations'—a ruin so complete that survivors will express horror and revulsion.
Jeremiah 25:9 in the Original Language
servant (עֶבֶד, eved) — one who carries out another's will or work. God's use of this term shows His sovereignty over Babylon, employing them as agents of His purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 25:9
What does Jeremiah 25:9 mean?
God will send Nebuchadrezzar and his armies from the north to utterly destroy Judah and surrounding nations.
What is the context of Jeremiah 25:9?
God's specific judgment: Babylonian invasion under Nebuchadrezzar.