Old Testament
Jeremiah 25:17
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah describes a symbolic act where he takes a cup filled with God's judgment and offers it to various nations.
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
So I took the cup from the LORD's hand and made every nation drink from it — every nation the LORD sent me to:
Then took I the cup at the LORD’s hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah describes a symbolic act where he takes a cup filled with God's judgment and offers it to various nations. This cup represents the impending consequences of their actions and disobedience to God. By making the nations drink from it, Jeremiah is illustrating that they will experience the repercussions of their sins. The act of drinking from the cup signifies acceptance of God's judgment, and it emphasizes that no nation is exempt from accountability. This moment highlights God's sovereignty over all nations and His role as a judge. Jeremiah's mission is to convey this message to the nations, indicating that they must face the consequences of their choices. The imagery of the cup serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of divine judgment and the need for repentance.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Jeremiah 25:17 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our actions and their consequences. Just as nations faced judgment, we too must recognize that our choices have repercussions. It serves as a reminder to seek God's guidance and live righteously, avoiding paths that lead to negative outcomes.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 25:17 mean?
Jeremiah 25:17 describes the prophet taking a cup from God, symbolizing His judgment, and making nations drink from it. This act represents the consequences of their disobedience and the accountability each nation has before God.
What is the significance of the cup in Jeremiah 25:17?
The cup in Jeremiah 25:17 symbolizes God's judgment and the impending consequences for the nations' actions. By drinking from the cup, the nations accept the reality of their sins and the judgment that follows.
How does Jeremiah 25:17 relate to accountability?
Jeremiah 25:17 highlights the theme of accountability by showing that every nation must face the consequences of its actions. The act of drinking from the cup signifies that no one is exempt from God's judgment.
What themes are present in Jeremiah 25:17?
Key themes in Jeremiah 25:17 include divine judgment, accountability, the sovereignty of God, and the symbolism of the cup representing the consequences of sin.

The Book of Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1: The Call of Jeremiah
The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, are recorded. The word of the LORD comes to him in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign over Judah. It continues to come to him through the reign of King Jehoiakim and until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, when Jerusalem is carried into captivity. The LORD states that before He formed Jeremiah in the womb, He knew him and ordained him as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah responds that he cannot speak because he is a child. The LORD commands him not to say he is a child, for he will go where the LORD sends him and speak what the LORD commands.
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