Jeremiah 25 21

Jeremiah 25:21 kjv

Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,

Jeremiah 25:21 nkjv

Edom, Moab, and the people of Ammon;

Jeremiah 25:21 niv

Edom, Moab and Ammon;

Jeremiah 25:21 esv

Edom, Moab, and the sons of Ammon;

Jeremiah 25:21 nlt

Then I gave the cup to the nations of Edom, Moab, and Ammon,

Jeremiah 25 verses

Jeremiah 25 21 Meaning

Jeremiah 25:21 declares that Edom, Moab, and the Ammonites were among the nations appointed by God to drink from His cup of furious wrath. This verse signifies their inclusion in the divine judgment administered through Babylon, due to their idolatry, pride, and consistent hostility towards God's people, Israel. It underscores Yahweh's universal sovereignty and His righteous indignation against all wickedness among the nations, not just Judah.

Jeremiah 25 21 Context

Jeremiah 25 begins with Jeremiah recounting twenty-three years of prophecy (v. 3) calling Judah to repentance. Since they did not listen (v. 4-7), God declares He will bring judgment upon Judah through Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, making them a desolation for seventy years (v. 9-11). Following this judgment on Judah, the focus shifts to God's universal judgment. Verses 15-38 introduce the "cup of the wine of the wrath," a powerful metaphor representing the devastating divine judgment to be poured out upon all nations. Jeremiah is commanded to make all specified nations drink from this cup, signifying their impending destruction. Jeremiah 25:21 specifically lists three historically hostile Transjordanian nations: Edom, Moab, and the Ammonites. These nations, though neighbors, often persecuted and opposed Israel, reflecting their rebellion against God's ordained order and their own pagan practices. The inclusion of these nations demonstrates God's sovereign authority extends beyond Israel to encompass all humanity and nations, ensuring that no wickedness goes unpunished.

Jeremiah 25 21 Word analysis

• Edom (אֱדוֹם - ʾĔḏōm):

  • Meaning: "Red," likely referring to Esau's red pottage (Gen 25:30) or the reddish soil of the Seir mountains where they settled.
  • Significance: Descendants of Esau, Jacob's twin brother. Their relationship with Israel was often marked by animosity and betrayal, rooted in ancient sibling rivalry. They were perpetual enemies who refused passage, attacked, and gloated over Israel's misfortunes, making them a prime target for God's judgment.

• Moab (מוֹאָב - Môʾāv):

  • Meaning: Likely from meʾab, "from a father," reflecting their incestuous origin (Gen 19:37-38).
  • Significance: Descendants of Lot's elder daughter. They occupied territory east of the Dead Sea. Known for idolatry (worshipping Chemosh), hostility towards Israel (e.g., Balak's attempts to curse Israel in Num 22-24, seducing Israelites to idolatry in Num 25), and extreme pride. They represent an oppressive, unrighteous neighbor often condemned for their arrogant defiance of God.

• Ammon (בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן - Bĕnê ʿAmmôn, "children of Ammon" or "Ammonites"):

  • Meaning: From ʿAmmôn, often linked to "kinsman" or "people." Like Moab, they originate from Lot's younger daughter (Gen 19:38).
  • Significance: Inhabited land northeast of the Dead Sea. Similar to Moab, they were known for cruelty (Amos 1:13), idolatry (Milcom or Molech), and constant harassment and territorial disputes with Israel. They embody a persistent and aggressive pagan threat to God's covenant people.

• Edom, Moab, and the children of Ammon:

  • Significance: This specific grouping of Transjordanian nations is common in prophetic oracles concerning judgment (e.g., Ezek 25, Zeph 2). They were often allies against Israel (e.g., 2 Chr 20) and represent the broader category of surrounding nations hostile to God's chosen people, whose unrighteousness demanded divine retribution. Their inclusion in the "cup of wrath" list emphasizes that no nation, regardless of proximity or power, is exempt from God's righteous judgment for their sins and opposition to His purposes.

Jeremiah 25 21 Bonus section

The specific sequence of nations in prophetic lists like Jeremiah 25:21 (Edom, Moab, Ammon) often reflects geographical proximity to Judah, moving from south to north or west to east of Judah's borders. This highlights the immediacy and geographical spread of God's judgment. While the primary fulfillment of this prophecy came through the Babylonian conquests, the prophetic language against these nations often hints at their utter and continuing desolation (e.g., Obadiah for Edom). Historically, all three nations eventually disappeared as distinct political entities, a testimony to the enduring power of God's prophetic word. Edom faced particularly harsh judgment because their hostility was deemed fratricidal. Moab and Ammon were noted for their hubris and taunting of Judah in its affliction.

Jeremiah 25 21 Commentary

Jeremiah 25:21 succinctly lists three prominent Transjordanian adversaries of Israel—Edom, Moab, and Ammon—as recipients of God's "cup of wrath." This list is significant because these nations shared long, often bitter, histories with Israel. Edom, deriving from Esau, exemplified perpetual enmity born from ancient sibling rivalry. Moab and Ammon, related through Lot, consistently displayed pride, idolatry, and violent opposition to God's people. By specifying them, God highlights His comprehensive justice, assuring Judah that even their formidable and contemptuous neighbors would face divine reckoning. This judgment not only punished their specific sins—pride, cruelty, idolatry, and malice towards Israel—but also served as a vindication of Yahweh's supreme authority over all gods and nations, demonstrating that His plans cannot be thwarted by human wickedness. The "cup of wrath" metaphor visually communicates the overwhelming and intoxicating nature of this divine retribution, which brings incapacitation and destruction. The judgment delivered by Nebuchadnezzar serves as an instrument of Yahweh's universal decree against sin and rebellion. This serves as a warning and a comfort: a warning that all nations are accountable to God, and a comfort to His people that justice will ultimately prevail over their oppressors.