16 When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them."
16 And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.
16 They shall drink and stagger and be crazed because of the sword that I am sending among them."
16 They'll drink it and get drunk, staggering in delirium because of the killing that I'm going to unleash among them."
16 And they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them."
16 When they drink from it, they will stagger, crazed by the warfare I will send against them."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 25:16
Commentary on Jeremiah 25:15-29
(Read Jeremiah 25:15-29)
The evil and the good events of life are often represented in Scripture as cups. Under this figure is represented the desolation then coming upon that part of the world, of which Nebuchadnezzar, who had just began to reign and act, was to be the instrument; but this destroying sword would come from the hand of God. The desolations the sword should make in all these kingdoms, are represented by the consequences of excessive drinking. This may make us loathe the sin of drunkenness, that the consequences of it are used to set forth such a woful condition. Drunkenness deprives men of the use of their reason, makes men as mad. It takes from them the valuable blessing, health; and is a sin which is its own punishment. This may also make us dread the judgments of war. It soon fills a nation with confusion. They will refuse to take the cup at thy hand. They will not believe Jeremiah; but he must tell them it is the word of the Lord of hosts, and it is in vain for them to struggle against Almighty power. And if God's judgments begin with backsliding professors, let not the wicked expect to escape.