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.
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. The phrase šāʾôn ʿaḏ-qĕṣê hāʾāreṣ (שָׁאוֹן עַד־קְצֵה הָאָרֶץ, noise even to the ends of the earth) suggests the universal scope of judgment—no corner of earth will escape the tumult. The term rîḇ (רִיב, controversy) is legal terminology for a covenant lawsuit. God brings charges against the nations, indicting them for violation of His moral law.
The phrase nišpāṭ hûʾ lĕkol-bāśār (נִשְׁפָּט הוּא לְכָל־בָּשָׂר, he will plead/judge with all flesh) uses 'all flesh' (kol-bāśār) to emphasize humanity's creatureliness and mortality. The verb nišpāṭ can mean 'plead' (presenting a legal case) or 'judge' (executing sentence). Here both senses apply—God presents His case and executes judgment. The phrase hārĕšāʿîm nĕṯānām laḥereḇ (הָרְשָׁעִים נְתָנָם לַחֶרֶב, the wicked he will give to the sword) specifies the sentence: death by warfare. This previews the final judgment when Christ returns to judge the living and the dead (Acts 17:31, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).
Historical Context
The concept of God's 'controversy' with Israel appears throughout the prophets (Hosea 4:1, Micah 6:2). Here it extends to all nations. The ancient understanding of deity typically limited gods to particular territories or peoples; Jeremiah's radical claim was that Yahweh had jurisdiction over all peoples everywhere. This monotheistic universalism prepared for the Christian gospel—there is one God who will judge all humanity through Jesus Christ (Romans 2:16). The 'noise to the ends of the earth' began fulfillment in the Babylonian conquests but awaits ultimate fulfillment in final judgment.
Questions for Reflection
What does God's 'controversy with the nations' teach about universal moral law written on human conscience?
How does the phrase 'all flesh' emphasize humanity's common creatureliness and shared accountability before the Creator?
In what ways should the certainty of universal judgment ('to the ends of the earth') shape Christian missions and evangelism?
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Analysis & Commentary
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. The phrase šāʾôn ʿaḏ-qĕṣê hāʾāreṣ (שָׁאוֹן עַד־קְצֵה הָאָרֶץ, noise even to the ends of the earth) suggests the universal scope of judgment—no corner of earth will escape the tumult. The term rîḇ (רִיב, controversy) is legal terminology for a covenant lawsuit. God brings charges against the nations, indicting them for violation of His moral law.
The phrase nišpāṭ hûʾ lĕkol-bāśār (נִשְׁפָּט הוּא לְכָל־בָּשָׂר, he will plead/judge with all flesh) uses 'all flesh' (kol-bāśār) to emphasize humanity's creatureliness and mortality. The verb nišpāṭ can mean 'plead' (presenting a legal case) or 'judge' (executing sentence). Here both senses apply—God presents His case and executes judgment. The phrase hārĕšāʿîm nĕṯānām laḥereḇ (הָרְשָׁעִים נְתָנָם לַחֶרֶב, the wicked he will give to the sword) specifies the sentence: death by warfare. This previews the final judgment when Christ returns to judge the living and the dead (Acts 17:31, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).