Jeremiah 25:24
And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,
Original Language Analysis
וְאֵ֖ת
H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 10
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 #:
2 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 10
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 #:
6 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעֶ֔רֶב
H6154
הָעֶ֔רֶב
Strong's:
H6154
Word #:
8 of 10
the web (or transverse threads of cloth); also a mixture, (or mongrel race)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 9:14Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.Jeremiah 25:20And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,Jeremiah 50:37A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.Ezekiel 30:5Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.
Historical Context
Babylonian expansion reached into Arabian territories, disrupting traditional trade routes and tribal structures. Nabonidus, Babylon's last king (556-539 BC), spent years in the Arabian oasis of Tema, exercising control over northern Arabia. The 'mingled people' of mixed ethnicity were particularly vulnerable during imperial transitions, lacking the protection of strong ethnic or political identity. Historical records confirm widespread displacement and disruption of Arabian populations during the Neo-Babylonian period.
Questions for Reflection
- How does judgment reaching even nomadic desert peoples demonstrate the inescapability of divine accountability?
- What modern equivalents exist to these 'desert-dwelling' peoples—those who try to live on the margins, avoiding commitment or accountability?
- In what ways might we attempt to 'flee to the desert' spiritually, avoiding God's claims on our lives, and why is this ultimately futile?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert. This comprehensive statement encompasses various Arabian tribal confederations. The phrase kol-malkê ʿĂrāḇ (כָּל־מַלְכֵי עֲרָב, all the kings of Arabia) covers the diverse peoples inhabiting the Arabian peninsula and Syrian desert. The hāʿereḇ hayyōshĕḇîm bammidḇār (הָעֶרֶב הַיֹּשְׁבִים בַּמִּדְבָּר, mingled people dwelling in the desert) likely refers to semi-nomadic populations—mixed ethnicities living on the fringes of settled civilization.
These desert-dwelling peoples might assume their remoteness and mobility provided security from imperial conquest. Yet God's judgment reaches even nomadic populations. This demonstrates that neither geographic isolation nor lack of fixed settlements exempts anyone from divine accountability. The principle applies spiritually: we cannot escape God by fleeing to life's margins, avoiding commitment, or remaining perpetually mobile. The psalmist declared, 'Whither shall I flee from thy presence?' (Psalm 139:7-12). God's jurisdiction is absolute and inescapable.