Chapter 25: The Cup of Wrath and Seventy Years of Servitude
(38 Pesukim)
Overview
In the fourth year of King Jehoiakim—also the first year of Nebuchadrezzar’s reign—Hashem gives Yermiyahu a sweeping prophecy of judgment. After 23 years of warnings ignored, the prophet announces that Judah and surrounding nations will face devastation and Babylonian domination for seventy years. Then Babylon itself will fall. The chapter closes with a vision of Hashem’s wrath poured out on all nations, symbolized by a cup of fury.
- Twenty-Three Years of Unheeded Warnings (25:1-7)
The following prophecy came to Yeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Yehoiakim son of Yoshiah, who was the king of Judah, which was the first year of reign of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon.
Yermiyahu spoke the following prophecy to the people of Yehuda and Jerusalem:
- From King Yosihyaha’s thirteenth year, I have spoken Hashem’s word tirelessly.
- Other prophets were also sent early and often, urging repentance:
- “Turn from evil, stop idolatry, and you will remain in the land.”
- But the people refused, provoking Hashem with their deeds.
- The Sentence: Seventy Years Under Babylon (25:8-14)
Therefore, so said the Lord of Hosts: Since you have not hearkened to My words, Hashem declares:
- Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, is Hashems messenger and instrument of judgment.
- He will bring destruction on Judah and surrounding nations, leaving them desolate and mocked.
- Joy will vanish—no weddings, no daily sounds of life.
- The land will serve Babylon for 70 years.
Afterward:
- Hashem will punish Babylon for its arrogance and violence, making it a perpetual ruin.
- Many nations will enslave Babylon in turn, repaying it for its deeds.
- The Cup of Wrath (25:15-26)
Hashem commanded Yermiyahu:
- Take a cup filled with My fury and make all nations drink it.
- This drinking symbolizes staggering under judgment and falling by the sword.
Recipients of this cup of wrath include:
- Jerusalem and Judah’s cities.
- Egypt and its rulers.
- Philistine cities, Edom, Moab, Ammon.
- Tyre, Sidon, and coastal kingdoms.
- Arabia, desert tribes, Elam, Media, and all northern kings.
- “All kingdoms of the earth”—and finally Babylon itself.
- Universal Judgment (25:27-38)
Hashem warns:
- All the above nations are to drink from the cup of wrath and there will be no escaping from the death I will send them.
- If nations refuse the cup, they will be forced to drink it—none will escape.
- The Judgment will begin with Jerusalem and will then spread worldwide.
- Hashem will roar like a lion from His dwelling, shaking the earth.
- The slain will cover the land, unburied and unmourned—like refuse.
- Shepherds (leaders) will wail; their power and refuge will fail.
- Peaceful pastures will be ruined under Hashem’s fierce anger.
