Jeremiah 25:26
And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֵ֣ת׀
H853
וְאֵ֣ת׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 21
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 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַצָּפ֗וֹן
of the north
H6828
הַצָּפ֗וֹן
of the north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
וְהָֽרְחֹקִים֙
far
H7350
וְהָֽרְחֹקִים֙
far
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
6 of 21
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
אִ֣ישׁ
one
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 21
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אָחִ֔יו
with another
H251
אָחִ֔יו
with another
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
9 of 21
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 21
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 #:
11 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמַּמְלְכ֣וֹת
and all the kingdoms
H4467
הַמַּמְלְכ֣וֹת
and all the kingdoms
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
12 of 21
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֣י
which are upon the face
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
which are upon the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
16 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:41How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!Jeremiah 25:9Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
Historical Context
The phrase 'all kingdoms of the world' reflects an ancient Near Eastern perspective where the known world meant the Fertile Crescent and surrounding territories. Yet the principle is truly universal—all human kingdoms are temporary, all face judgment. The Atbash cipher for Babylon appears also in Jeremiah 51:41, creating coded prophecy during a time when openly predicting Babylon's fall could be dangerous. When Babylon fell to Persia (539 BC), the prophecy was fulfilled—the judge was judged.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the phrase 'all kingdoms of the world' establish God's absolute sovereignty over human history and political power?
- What does the ironic reversal—Babylon administering judgment but then facing it—teach about the temporary nature of all human empires?
- How should the certainty that every earthly kingdom will fall shape Christian political engagement and where we place ultimate allegiance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them. The phrase kol-malkê haṣṣāp̄ôn (כָּל־מַלְכֵי הַצָּפוֹן, all the kings of the north) encompasses kingdoms from Babylon north through Anatolia. The phrase kol mamlĕkōṯ hāʾāreṣ ʾăsher ʿal-pĕnê hāʾăḏāmâ (כֹּל מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, all the kingdoms of the world which are upon the face of the earth) represents universal scope—every nation without exception.
The climactic phrase ûmelek Shēshak yišteh ʾaḥărêhem (וּמֶלֶךְ שֵׁשַׁךְ יִשְׁתֶּה אַחֲרֵיהֶם, and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them) uses an Atbash cipher (Hebrew alphabet reversal) where Sheshach (ששך) = Babel/Babylon (בבל). Babylon administers the cup to all nations but must finally drink it himself. This ironic reversal demonstrates poetic justice—the instrument of judgment faces judgment. The pattern recurs: Assyria judged, then judged; Babylon judged, then judged; Rome executed God's judgment on Jerusalem (AD 70) but itself fell. Only God's kingdom endures forever (Daniel 2:44).