Jeremiah 25 23

Jeremiah 25:23 kjv

Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,

Jeremiah 25:23 nkjv

Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who are in the farthest corners;

Jeremiah 25:23 niv

Dedan, Tema, Buz and all who are in distant places;

Jeremiah 25:23 esv

Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who cut the corners of their hair;

Jeremiah 25:23 nlt

I gave it to Dedan, Tema, and Buz, and to the people who live in distant places.

Jeremiah 25 verses

Jeremiah 25 23 Meaning

This verse proclaims judgment upon the kings of foreign nations, indicating that they too will face the consequences of their pride and opposition to God's will. God is bringing swift and complete destruction upon these rulers who have rebelled against His authority.

Jeremiah 25 23 Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle in Jeremiah 25 that pronounces judgment not only on Judah and Jerusalem but also on the surrounding nations. Jeremiah is delivering God's message of a coming judgment, symbolized by a "cup of wrath," that will be distributed to all who have opposed God's covenant people and His sovereign will. This specific verse details the nations whose kings will partake of this judgment, emphasizing the universality of God's retribution against wrongdoing. The historical context involves the encroaching Babylonian empire, which served as God's instrument of judgment against the disobedient nations, including Judah.

Jeremiah 25 23 Word Analysis

• Unto (lḇlēh): Indicates direction or address; towards.
• all: Emphasizes completeness and comprehensiveness; signifies that no ruler will be exempt.
• the kings (malḵê): Refers to the supreme rulers or sovereigns of nations.
• of Uz (ʼūṣ): A land possibly located in Edom or near the borders of Arabia, known for its connection to Job (Job 1:1).
• and all (wəḵāl): Connects "Uz" to the subsequent kings and emphasizes the totality.
• the kings (malḵê): Repeated to stress the scope of the judgment.
• of the land (meleḵ ʼareṣ): "Meleḵ" (king) combined with "ʼareṣ" (land, earth, country), referring to rulers over territories.
• of the Philistines (pĕlištîm): Refers to the rulers of the Philistine cities along the Mediterranean coast, historical adversaries of Israel.
• of Ashkelon (ʼašqəlôn): A major Philistine city.
• of Gaza (gəzāh): Another principal Philistine city.
• of Ekron (ʻeḳrôn): A prominent Philistine city.
• and of Ashdod (wəʻaḏ dōd): A significant Philistine city, often mentioned alongside the others.
• of Themim (timām): This refers to the descendants of Teman, a grandson of Esau, implying rulership within Edomite territory.
• of Themim (timām): While "Timam" can be seen as a tribal or familial name, the plural form "temîmîm" is rare and could imply a collective group or region associated with Teman. The Septuagint translates this as "the Themmin," which is consistent with a people.
• and of the desert (wəḵāl šōṭēn): "Shoṭen" can mean "inhabitant" or "dweller," referring to those who dwell in the wilderness, likely nomadic groups.
• people (yōšēḇ): Means "inhabitant" or "dweller."
• that dwell (yōšēḇ): Denotes continuous presence or residence.
• in the wilderness (bammidbār): Refers to desert or uncultivated regions, often inhabited by nomadic peoples.
• all the kings (ḵāl malkê): Again, emphasizing comprehensive judgment upon rulers.
• of Dedan (dēdān): Refers to rulers of the Dedanites, a nomadic Arab tribe from northern Arabia.
• and all (wəḵāl): Connecting Dedan to Tema.
• the kings (malḵê): Plural, referring to multiple rulers.
• of Tema (tēmāʾ): Refers to rulers of the Temanites, an Arab tribe descended from Teman, grandson of Esau.
• and all (wəḵāl): Connecting Tema to Buz.
• the kings (malḵê): Plural.
• of Buz (būṣ): Refers to rulers of Buz, a region or people associated with the family of Nahor, Abraham's brother, often placed in Mesopotamia or Northern Arabia.
• and all (wəḵāl): Connecting Buz to Hamath.
• the kings (malḵê): Plural.
• of Hamath (ḥamāṯ): Refers to the rulers of the city and region of Hamath in Syria, a significant Near Eastern kingdom.
• and all (wəḵāl): Connecting Hamath to Israel.
• the kings (malḵê): Plural.
• of the land (meleḵ ʼareṣ): Rulers of the land.
• of Israel (yiśrāʼēl): Refers to the rulers of the united kingdom of Israel before its division, or generally, the ruling powers of the land of Israel, though at this point the northern kingdom had long been dispersed. The inclusion might be symbolic or referring to residual leadership or pretenders.
• and all (wəḵāl): Connecting Israel to the mingled people.
• the kings (malḵê): Plural.
• of the mingled people (meleḵ hāʻərōḇ): "Haʻarōḇ" refers to a mixture or mingling, implying a mixed population or those who associate with multiple groups or nations, perhaps mercenaries or those living in diverse urban centers.
• that dwell (yōšēḇ): Again, denoting inhabitants.
• in the wilderness (bammidbār): Reinforces the association with nomadic or borderland peoples.

Jeremiah 25 23 Bonus Section

The enumeration of specific nations and their rulers highlights the historical scope of this judgment. While some nations listed, like the Philistines and Hamath, were long-standing antagonists of Israel, others like Uz, Dedan, Tema, and Buz represent Arab tribes or regions bordering Canaan. The inclusion of "the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the wilderness" suggests a judgment against those outside established political structures, perhaps nomadic bands or border marauders who preyed on trade routes and settlements. This verse serves as a testament to the universal accountability before God for all powers, reminding listeners that national boundaries do not offer immunity from divine justice.

Jeremiah 25 23 Commentary

Jeremiah 25:23 reveals God's comprehensive judgment extending beyond Judah to all oppressive and idolatrous rulers of neighboring nations. The verse systematically lists various kings and peoples, emphasizing that none are exempt from facing divine reckoning for their pride and rebellion. The imagery of drinking a cup of judgment signifies total and inevitable destruction, mirroring how Judah will also face severe consequences. This broad pronouncement underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all the earth and its rulers, and His commitment to bringing justice against those who defy Him and oppress His people.