Jeremiah Chapter 25 · Verse 32
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
4 of 15
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
יֹצֵ֖את
shall go forth
H3318
יֹצֵ֖את
shall go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
7 of 15
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
גּ֑וֹי
from nation
H1471
גּ֑וֹי
from nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
8 of 15
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
גּ֑וֹי
from nation
H1471
גּ֑וֹי
from nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
10 of 15
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
גָּד֔וֹל
and a great
H1419
גָּד֔וֹל
and a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
12 of 15
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Cross References
Isaiah 34:2For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.Jeremiah 23:19Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.2 Chronicles 15:6And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.Isaiah 30:30And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.Jeremiah 30:23Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
Historical Context
The pattern of judgment spreading 'from nation to nation' describes the succession of empires—Babylon conquering the ancient Near East, then Persia conquering Babylon, then Greece conquering Persia, then Rome conquering Greece. Each empire became God's instrument of judgment on its predecessor. This succession, prophesied in Daniel 2 and 7, demonstrates divine sovereignty orchestrating human history. The 'great whirlwind' describes the violence and rapidity of these imperial transitions—established powers swept away seemingly overnight.
Questions for Reflection
- How does judgment spreading 'from nation to nation' demonstrate that no human power is permanent and all stand under God's sovereignty?
- What does the 'whirlwind from the remotest parts of earth' teach about God's ability to raise up instruments of judgment from unexpected sources?
- How should the pattern of empires rising and falling throughout history humble national pride and remind us that only God's kingdom endures?
Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. The phrase rāʿâ yōṣēʾṯ miggôy ʾel-gôy (רָעָה יֹצֵאת מִגּוֹי אֶל־גּוֹי, evil shall go forth from nation to nation) depicts judgment spreading like contagion from one nation to the next. The Babylonian conquests proceeded systematically—Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and ultimately Babylon itself would fall to Persia. Each conquest enabled the next, creating a domino effect of judgment.
The phrase saʿar gāḏôl yēʿôr miyyarkĕṯê-ʾāreṣ (סַעַר גָּדוֹל יֵעוֹר מִיַּרְכְּתֵי־אָרֶץ, great whirlwind shall be raised from the coasts/remotest parts of the earth) employs storm imagery for overwhelming, destructive judgment. The term saʿar (סַעַר, whirlwind/tempest) suggests violent, irresistible force. The 'remotest parts of earth' (yarkĕṯê-ʾāreṣ) emphasizes that judgment originates from unexpected quarters—Babylon arose from distant Mesopotamia, just as later the Medes and Persians came from the east. God raises up instruments of judgment from wherever He chooses, demonstrating absolute sovereignty over history.