Jeremiah 25 31

Jeremiah 25:31 kjv

A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 25:31 nkjv

A noise will come to the ends of the earth? For the LORD has a controversy with the nations; He will plead His case with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword,' says the LORD."

Jeremiah 25:31 niv

The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD will bring charges against the nations; he will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword,'?" declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 25:31 esv

The clamor will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD has an indictment against the nations; he is entering into judgment with all flesh, and the wicked he will put to the sword, declares the LORD.'

Jeremiah 25:31 nlt

His cry of judgment will reach the ends of the earth,
for the LORD will bring his case against all the nations.
He will judge all the people of the earth,
slaughtering the wicked with the sword.
I, the LORD, have spoken!'"

Jeremiah 25 verses

Jeremiah 25 31 Meaning

Jeremiah 25:31 proclaims a loud, universally audible declaration of divine judgment across the entire earth. It reveals that the Lord has initiated a legal "controversy" or "lawsuit" with all nations and humanity, signifying a righteous reckoning. In this divine courtroom, the Lord Himself will act as judge and prosecutor, "pleading" His case against "all flesh" before ultimately delivering the wicked to destruction by the sword. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His commitment to righteous retribution on a global scale.

Jeremiah 25 31 Context

Jeremiah 25 falls chronologically at a pivotal moment, the fourth year of King Jehoiakim of Judah (c. 605/604 BC), which was also the first year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign as king of Babylon. The preceding verses (Jer 25:1-14) reveal God's decree of seventy years of Babylonian servitude for Judah due to their unfaithfulness and rejection of Jeremiah's prophetic warnings. Jeremiah 25:15-29 then shifts from Judah to a universal prophetic judgment, depicted by the "cup of the wine of this fury," which Jeremiah is commanded to make all nations drink. This symbolizes the divine wrath destined for various peoples, beginning with Jerusalem and Judah, then extending to Egypt, Philistia, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, Sidon, and various other kingdoms, culminating with Sheshach (a cryptic reference to Babylon itself). Jeremiah 25:30-38 describes the culmination of this judgment, where the Lord roars like a lion from on high, executing a fierce "slaughter" that spans the entire earth. Verse 31 specifically elaborates on the nature of this universal judgment, likening it to a legal case God brings against all humanity. Historically, the Babylonians served as God's instrument in this near-term judgment, but the prophecy transcends a singular historical event to encompass God's ultimate eschatological judgment upon all global wickedness.

Jeremiah 25 31 Word analysis

• A noise shall come (ק֣וֹל, qol): Literally "a voice" or "sound." In this context, it implies a resounding proclamation, a clamor of war, or the thunderous announcement of divine judgment. It conveys an alarming, far-reaching sound that signifies the magnitude of God's action. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the voice of a king or deity carried immense authority and weight, signaling decrees that affected the entire realm.
• even to the ends of the earth (קְצֵ֥ה הָאָ֑רֶץ, qetsê ha'arets): This phrase emphasizes the universality and inescapability of the judgment. It refers to the most remote geographical locations, ensuring that no one, no nation, is beyond the reach of God's hand or the knowledge of His actions. This highlights the omnipotence and omnipresence of the judging God.
• for the Lord (יְהוָ֣ה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, eternal, and righteous character. The use of YHWH underscores that this is not an arbitrary act but a sovereign, moral, and covenanted judgment executed by the supreme Ruler of the cosmos.
• hath a controversy (רִיב, riv): A strong legal term meaning "strife," "dispute," "contention," or "lawsuit." It suggests that God is taking nations to court. He is not merely raging but conducting a formal legal process based on righteous claims against them, implying charges, evidence, and a verdict. This reveals God's justice is founded on moral order, not caprice.
• with the nations (גּוֹיִם, goyim): Refers to all non-Israelite peoples or ethnic groups. This signifies that God's justice is not limited to His covenant people, Israel, but extends to all of humanity, who are accountable for their actions and idolatry. It emphasizes the universal scope of divine judgment.
• he will plead (נִשְׁפָּט, nishpat): From the verb shaphat (to judge). The Niphal stem here can mean "to be judged," "to contend in judgment," or "to plead." In this active sense, God Himself engages in the legal dispute, asserting His rights and passing judgment. He argues His case and then renders a decision, demonstrating His active role as the universal Judge.
• with all flesh (כָּל־בָּשָׂ֗ר, kol-basar): "All living beings," particularly "all humanity." This term broadens the scope even beyond "nations" to include every individual human being, without exception. It confirms that the judgment is comprehensive and no one will escape accountability before the divine tribunal.
• he will give them that are wicked (רְשָׁעִים, resha'im): Refers to the morally guilty, the unrighteous, those who oppose God's will and moral law. The judgment is not random or indiscriminate but specifically targeted at those whose deeds warrant punishment, emphasizing the moral basis of God's actions.
• to the sword (לַחֶ֖רֶב, laḥerev): The sword is a common biblical symbol of war, violence, destruction, and lethal judgment, often a tool used by human agents (like conquering armies) who are, in turn, instruments of divine wrath. It signifies violent, comprehensive, and deadly retribution.
• saith the Lord (נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה, ne'um-YHWH): A formulaic declaration found frequently in prophetic texts. It stamps the preceding statement with divine authority and absolute certainty, ensuring that these are not mere human words but the guaranteed word of God Himself.

Words-group analysis:

• "A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth": This phrase establishes the grand, universal scale of the divine action. It speaks to both the audibility (a public declaration or event) and the reach (globally impacting) of God's judgment. The "noise" can be seen as the "news" of the coming devastation, the actual sound of battle, or even the roaring voice of God himself (as in Jer 25:30).
• "for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh": This bipartite phrase defines the nature of the universal judgment as a cosmic courtroom scene. God initiates a formal "lawsuit" (riv) against humanity and nations for their unrighteousness. He Himself acts as prosecutor and judge, "pleading" His case and administering justice to all living beings, underscoring that accountability extends to every single person. It emphasizes the judicial, moral, and just foundation of the impending doom.
• "he will give them that are wicked to the sword": This concludes the statement by detailing the outcome and consequence of the divine lawsuit. The verdict is not an abstract pronouncement but a tangible, lethal sentence. The "wicked" – specifically identified by their moral state – are handed over to violent destruction, signifying God's active role in executing judgment and removing evil from the earth.

Jeremiah 25 31 Bonus section

• The "noise" or "shout" from the Lord, mentioned in Jer 25:30 as preceding this verse, is reminiscent of a divine battle cry or the roaring of a lion before an attack, a powerful image that evokes terror and dread.
• The legal terminology (riv, shaphat) used here highlights the profoundly ethical and covenantal nature of God's judgment, even towards nations that were not formally under the Mosaic Covenant. They were still accountable to universal moral laws discernible through creation and conscience.
• The prophecy oscillates between depicting specific historical invasions (like Nebuchadnezzar's) and an ultimate, more encompassing eschatological Day of the Lord, blurring the lines to show that all earthly events are ultimately under God's control and part of His greater plan of judgment and redemption.
• This verse contributes to the broader biblical theme of a coming judgment where every human being will be held accountable before the righteous God, foreshadowing the great white throne judgment in the New Testament.

Jeremiah 25 31 Commentary

Jeremiah 25:31 stands as a powerful declaration of God's universal sovereignty and justice. The "noise" reaching the "ends of the earth" signifies not just a local event but a cosmic pronouncement or cataclysm, signaling that God's judgments transcend human boundaries. This is not arbitrary fury; rather, the core of the verse presents God as initiating a formal "controversy" or legal "lawsuit" (riv) with "the nations" and "all flesh." This portrayal transforms God from a mere punitive force into the ultimate Jurist, upholding moral order across the globe. He is not only the offended party but also the judge who will "plead" or enter into judgment with humanity. This judicial action culminates in His decisive sentencing: the "wicked" are given to the "sword," an instrument of divine wrath symbolizing complete and violent destruction. The verse profoundly teaches that sin against God is a legal offense that warrants divine prosecution and ultimate retribution, asserting God's inescapable accountability for all of humanity. This judgment, affirmed by "saith the Lord," is certain and demonstrates His unyielding commitment to justice and righteousness.