Jeremiah Chapter 25 · Verse 14

Authorized King James Version

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For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָֽבְדוּ shall serve H5647
עָֽבְדוּ shall serve
Strong's: H5647
Word #: 2 of 14
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
בָ֤ם H0
בָ֤ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 14
גַּם H1571
גַּם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 4 of 14
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הֵ֙מָּה֙ H1992
הֵ֙מָּה֙
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 5 of 14
they (only used when emphatic)
גּוֹיִ֣ם nations H1471
גּוֹיִ֣ם nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 6 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
רַבִּ֔ים For many H7227
רַבִּ֔ים For many
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 7 of 14
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וּמְלָכִ֖ים kings H4428
וּמְלָכִ֖ים kings
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 8 of 14
a king
גְּדוֹלִ֑ים and great H1419
גְּדוֹלִ֑ים and great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 9 of 14
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֥י themselves of them also and I will recompense H7999
וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֥י themselves of them also and I will recompense
Strong's: H7999
Word #: 10 of 14
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
לָהֶ֛ם H0
לָהֶ֛ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 14
כְּפָעֳלָ֖ם them according to their deeds H6467
כְּפָעֳלָ֖ם them according to their deeds
Strong's: H6467
Word #: 12 of 14
an act or work (concretely)
וּכְמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה and according to the works H4639
וּכְמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה and according to the works
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 13 of 14
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יְדֵיהֶֽם׃ of their own hands H3027
יְדֵיהֶֽם׃ of their own hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 14 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

Analysis & Commentary

For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands. This verse predicts Babylon's eventual subjugation—the empire that enslaved others would itself be enslaved. The phrase ʿāḇĕḏû ḇām (עָבְדוּ בָם, shall serve themselves of them) employs the same verb used for Judah serving Babylon, emphasizing poetic justice. The oppressor becomes the oppressed. The principle gāmal (גָּמַל, recompense/repay) appears throughout Scripture: 'whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap' (Galatians 6:7).

The phrase kĕmiṗʿālām ûḵĕmaʿăśê yĕḏêhem (כְּמִפְעָלָם וּכְמַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיהֶם, according to their deeds and according to the works of their hands) emphasizes proportional justice—God's judgment corresponds precisely to the sin committed. This isn't arbitrary wrath but measured response to specific evil. The Medo-Persian Empire would conquer Babylon (539 BC), followed by Greece and Rome. The mighty empire that seemed invincible would be reduced to perpetual ruins, demonstrating no human power stands permanently apart from God's sovereign will.

Historical Context

Babylon's fall to Cyrus the Persian (539 BC) fulfilled this prophecy within Jeremiah's predicted timeframe. The Medes and Persians ('many nations and great kings') conquered the empire. Later, Alexander the Great's Greek armies and finally Rome controlled the territory. Babylon's gradual decline into uninhabited ruins fulfilled the prophecy of perpetual desolation. The principle of divine recompense—that nations reap what they sow—appears throughout history. Powers that build empires on violence and oppression eventually collapse.

Questions for Reflection