Jeremiah 25:20
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The phrase "remnant of Ashdod" is a subtle but powerful detail, revealing how deeply the city had been ravaged by a prolonged siege, emphasizing that its destruction was so complete it was reduced to mere survivors. This shows that even fortified cities, seen as unassailable by humans, are vulnerable to the judgment of God and the long arm of history.
and all the mixed tribes among them; all the kings of the land of Uz and all the kings of the land of the Philistines (Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod);
English Standard Version (ESV)
In Jeremiah 25, God instructs the prophet to pronounce judgment on Judah and all surrounding nations, symbolized by a cup of wrath. This passage lists many of these nations, including Egypt, the Philistines, and others in Arabia, all destined to drink from this cup of divine fury. The verse specifically names the Philistine cities, noting Ashdod as a mere "remnant" due to a devastating siege by the Egyptians, highlighting the widespread destruction to come.
Jeremiah lists 'all the mingled people' before naming specific nations. What does this broad category tell us about God's sweeping judgment?
The phrase 'mingled people' (Hebrew: 'erebh) is fascinating. It doesn't just mean a random mix, but often refers to foreigners or auxiliary troops living among or serving another nation. Think of them as a diverse collection of peoples, not necessarily unified by a single culture or loyalty, who are swept up in God's pronouncements.
Jeremiah uses this term to emphasize that God's judgment isn't just on the main powers, but on everyone caught in the crosscurrents of geopolitical conflict. It’s a powerful reminder that God sees and holds accountable all those who are part of the systems of rebellion, regardless of their origin or precise role.
The mention of Uz and the Philistine cities might seem random. Why are these specific, often antagonistic, neighbors included in this divine decree?
Jeremiah's prophecy unfolds like a sweeping indictment. After addressing more distant nations, he brings the judgment closer to home, naming two significant groups who had complex, often hostile, relationships with Judah:
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Understand the original words
she'erith · Hebrew Noun
Those who remain or are left over; biblically, it often refers to a small, surviving portion of a people after a greater catastrophe or judgment has occurred.
Jeremiah's prophecy in this chapter is a sweeping indictment against Judah and surrounding nations, including the Philistines, Edomites (implied by 'Uz'), and others. The mention of the 'remnant of Ashdod' specifically points to the historical weakening of Philistine power by Egyptian campaigns shortly before Jeremiah's time, highlighting a context of shifting geopolitical forces and impending divine judgment on those who oppressed God's people.
c. 630 BC
Siege and fall of Ashdod
The Egyptian king Psammitichus I concludes a grueling 29-year siege of the Philistine city of Ashdod, severely weakening it. This event significantly reduces Ashdod's former strength and influence.
c. 609 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt is defeated by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II. This marks a shift in regional power, diminishing Egyptian influence in the Levant.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II deports a number of Judeans, including members of the royal family and nobility, to Babylon. This event marks the beginning of Judah's Babylonian captivity.
c. 587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar II destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event fulfills many of Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This ushers in a new era and eventually leads to the return of the Jewish exiles.
This passage describes the Assyrian King Sargon capturing Ashdod, providing historical context for why Ashdod is described as a 'remnant' in Jeremiah's prophecy.
Jeremiah 47:1-7This chapter specifically prophesies the destruction of the Philistines, detailing the fate of cities like Gaza and Ashkelon, which are also mentioned in Jeremiah 25:20.
Ezekiel 25:15-17Similar to Jeremiah, Ezekiel prophesies judgment against the Philistines, highlighting their long-standing animosity towards Israel and their eventual destruction.
Genesis 10:13-14This passage lists the Casluhites and Philistines as ancestors, giving a deeper historical backdrop to the nations mentioned in Jeremiah's prophecy.
Job 1:1This verse references the land of Uz, the same region mentioned in Jeremiah 25:20, connecting it to the story of Job and indicating its geographical location east or southeast of Palestine.
gillJeremiah 25:20: "And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,"
And all the mingled people,.... Not the Arabians, who are mentioned afterwards, Jeremiah 25:24 ; but rather a mixed people in the land of Egypt, such as came out of it along with the Israelites; or were near it, and bordered upon it, as the Targum; which renders it, all the bordering kings; or rather a…
pooleJeremiah 25:20: "And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,"
It is of no great moment to determine whether God by the mingled people, here mentioned, intended the various nations afterwards particularly expressed by their names, or some people that were not native Egyptians, but lived mingled with them, or some other people of several nations who lived near Jude…
The phrase "remnant of Ashdod" is a subtle but powerful detail, revealing how deeply the city had been ravaged by a prolonged siege, emphasizing that its destruction was so complete it was reduced to mere survivors. This shows that even fortified cities, seen as unassailable by humans, are vulnerable to the judgment of God and the long arm of history.
In Jeremiah 25, God instructs the prophet to pronounce judgment on Judah and all surrounding nations, symbolized by a cup of wrath. This passage lists many of these nations, including Egypt, the Philistines, and others in Arabia, all destined to drink from this cup of divine fury. The verse specifically names the Philistine cities, noting Ashdod as a mere "remnant" due to a devastating siege by the Egyptians, highlighting the widespread destruction to come.
In Jeremiah 25, God instructs the prophet to pronounce judgment on Judah and all surrounding nations, symbolized by a cup of wrath. This passage lists many of these nations, including Egypt, the Philistines, and others in Arabia, all destined to drink from this cup of divine fury. The verse specifically names the Philistine cities, noting Ashdod as a mere "remnant" due to a devastating siege by the Egyptians, highlighting the widespread destruction to come.
"and all the mixed tribes among them; all the kings of the land of Uz and all the kings of the land of the Philistines (Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod);" — The phrase "remnant of Ashdod" is a subtle but powerful detail, revealing how deeply the city had been ravaged by a prolonged siege, emphasizing that its destruction was so complete it was reduced to…
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Last reviewed October 2026
