Jeremiah 25:17

Authorized King James Version

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Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:

Original Language Analysis

וָאֶקַּ֥ח Then took H3947
וָאֶקַּ֥ח Then took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 1 of 13
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכּ֖וֹס I the cup H3563
הַכּ֖וֹס I the cup
Strong's: H3563
Word #: 3 of 13
a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)
מִיַּ֣ד hand H3027
מִיַּ֣ד hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 4 of 13
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
יְהוָ֖ה at the LORD'S H3068
יְהוָ֖ה at the LORD'S
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וָֽאַשְׁקֶה֙ to drink H8248
וָֽאַשְׁקֶה֙ to drink
Strong's: H8248
Word #: 6 of 13
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 8 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם and made all the nations H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם and made all the nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 9 of 13
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שְׁלָחַ֥נִי had sent H7971
שְׁלָחַ֥נִי had sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 11 of 13
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָ֖ה at the LORD'S H3068
יְהוָ֖ה at the LORD'S
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ H413
אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
Strong's: H413
Word #: 13 of 13
near, with or among; often in general, to

Analysis & Commentary

Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me. Jeremiah's compliance demonstrates prophetic obedience to an unpleasant commission. The prophet didn't create this message or choose this role—God commanded, and Jeremiah obeyed. The phrase wāʾeqqaḥ ʾeṯ-hakkôs miyyaḏ YHWH (וָאֶקַּח אֶת־הַכּוֹס מִיַּד יְהוָה, then I took the cup from the LORD's hand) pictures receiving divine commission, while wāʾashqeh ʾeṯ-kol-haggôyim (וָאַשְׁקֶה אֶת־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם, and made all the nations drink) describes executing that commission.

This symbolic act likely occurred in prophetic vision rather than literal journey to each nation. The prophetic word going forth accomplished God's purposes—when Jeremiah pronounced judgment, it was set in motion. This principle appears throughout Scripture: God's word, once spoken, doesn't return void but accomplishes His purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11). The prophet functions as priest of judgment, administering the cup. This prefigures Christ's dual role: as prophet declaring God's word and as priest bearing the cup of wrath Himself.

Historical Context

Jeremiah's ministry extended beyond Judah to the surrounding nations through prophetic oracles (chapters 46-51). These weren't merely predictions but divine sentences—the word of the LORD going forth to accomplish judgment. Within decades, every nation listed experienced Babylon's conquest, fulfilling the vision. The symbolic nature of prophetic acts (Jeremiah also smashed pottery, wore yokes, buried linen belts) communicated divine truth through enacted parables.

Questions for Reflection

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