Jeremiah 25:29
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God declares that He is about to bring disaster upon Jerusalem, the city bearing His name, but the surprising part is that this is only the beginning. The verse emphasizes that even the city considered God's own will not escape His judgment, setting the stage for a wider, devastating sword sent against all the inhabitants of the earth.
For behold, I begin to work disaster at the city that is called by my name, and shall you go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of hosts.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
God declares that He is about to bring disaster upon Jerusalem, the city bearing His name, and asks if those who have provoked Him will escape punishment. He then broadens this declaration to all the nations, stating that a sword is coming against the inhabitants of the earth, implying no one will be spared. This is part of God's judgment not just on Judah but on the surrounding nations for their wickedness, using Babylon as His instrument of wrath.
The city called by God's name? That's Jerusalem, the heart of God's people. But here, God declares judgment is beginning there.
Jeremiah 25:29 highlights a sobering truth: God holds those who bear His name to a higher standard. When a nation or people claims to be God's, and has His name called upon them—meaning they've publicly identified with Him, worshiped Him, and received His promises—their sins are not overlooked.
The Weight of a Name
The devastation starts in Jerusalem, but God’s gaze extends far beyond. He’s summoning something immense.
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While judgment begins with God's own people, Jeremiah 25:29 makes it clear that this is not the end of the story. God's judgment is not confined to those who bear His name; it extends to all inhabitants of the earth.
A Call to Arms
Understand the original words
naqah · Hebrew Verb
A condition of moral and legal guilt that necessitates divine retribution, which God brings about to satisfy His perfect justice.
This prophecy, delivered during a period of increasing Babylonian power and Judah's spiritual decay, underscores that even God's chosen city, Jerusalem, will face severe judgment. The 'sword' summoned against all the earth signifies a comprehensive divine wrath, showing that no nation, not even God's own people, can escape accountability for sin.
Late 7th century BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah institutes sweeping religious reforms across Judah, aiming to centralize worship in Jerusalem and purge idolatrous practices. This period emphasizes a renewed, albeit superficial, commitment to the Law.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, after defeating the Egyptians at Carchemish, besieges Jerusalem and deports a portion of the population, including members of the royal family and elite, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's subjugation.
c. 600 BC— this verse
Jeremiah Prophesies
Jeremiah delivers prophecies warning of impending judgment, emphasizing that even Jerusalem, the city called by God's name, will not escape punishment due to the people's persistent unfaithfulness.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion by King Jehoiachin, Nebuchadnezzar again besieges Jerusalem and deports a larger segment of the population, including the king and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar's forces breach Jerusalem's walls, destroy the city, and raze Solomon's Temple. The remaining population is exiled to Babylon, marking the end of Judah as an independent kingdom.
This passage directly echoes Jeremiah's argument, stating that judgment begins with God's people, and if even they don't go unpunished, how much less will those who disobey the gospel.
Luke 23:31Jesus uses a similar rhetorical question about judgment beginning with the 'green tree' (representing the righteous, or in this context, God's people) and the fate of the 'dry tree' (the wicked), highlighting the severity of coming judgment.
Ezekiel 9:6This verse describes a judgment where the judgment begins at the sanctuary, showing a pattern of God dealing with sin first within His own community.
Amos 3:2God emphasizes a unique, yet demanding, relationship with His people, stating 'Only you have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities,' underscoring that privilege comes with accountability.
gillJeremiah 25:29: "For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts."
For, lo, I begin to bring evil upon the city which is called by my name,.... Jerusalem, the city of God, the holy city, where his name was called upon, and he was worshipped; on this he would first bring down his judgments; and indeed he had already beg…
clarkeJeremiah 25:29: "For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts."
The city which is called by my name - Jerusalem, which should be first given up to the destruction.
God declares that He is about to bring disaster upon Jerusalem, the city bearing His name, but the surprising part is that this is only the beginning. The verse emphasizes that even the city considered God's own will not escape His judgment, setting the stage for a wider, devastating sword sent against all the inhabitants of the earth.
God declares that He is about to bring disaster upon Jerusalem, the city bearing His name, and asks if those who have provoked Him will escape punishment. He then broadens this declaration to all the nations, stating that a sword is coming against the inhabitants of the earth, implying no one will be spared. This is part of God's judgment not just on Judah but on the surrounding nations for their wickedness, using Babylon as His instrument of wrath.
God declares that He is about to bring disaster upon Jerusalem, the city bearing His name, and asks if those who have provoked Him will escape punishment. He then broadens this declaration to all the nations, stating that a sword is coming against the inhabitants of the earth, implying no one will be spared. This is part of God's judgment not just on Judah but on the surrounding nations for their wickedness, using Babylon as His instrument of wrath.
"For behold, I begin to work disaster at the city that is called by my name, and shall you go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, for I am summoning a sword against all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of hosts.’" — God declares that He is about to bring disaster upon Jerusalem, the city bearing His name, but the surprising part is that this is only the beginning. The verse emphasizes that even the city consid…
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Last reviewed October 2026
