Jeremiah 4:21

KJV

How long shall I see the standard, [and] hear the sound of the trumpet?

KJV (with Strong's)

How long shall I see {H7200} the standard {H5251}, and hear {H8085} the sound {H6963} of the trumpet {H7782}?

Complete Jewish Bible

How long must I see that signal and hear the shofar sound?

Berean Standard Bible

How long must I see the signal flag and hear the sound of the horn?

American Standard Version

How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 4:21 is a profound lament from the prophet Jeremiah, expressing his deep anguish and despair over the relentless approach of divine judgment upon Judah. He vividly describes his personal torment as he continually witnesses the symbols of war—the military standard and the sound of the trumpet—which signify the imminent invasion and devastation of his beloved nation by an instrument of God's wrath. This cry encapsulates the prophet's burden, the people's unheeded warnings, and the inevitable consequences of their persistent rebellion against God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 4 initiates a series of prophetic pronouncements concerning the impending judgment from the North, specifically the Babylonians (Chaldeans). The chapter begins with a final, desperate call for repentance to Israel ([Jeremiah 4:1-2](/jeremiah/4-1 "Jeremiah 4:1-2 - Call to Repentance")), warning of the dire consequences if they refuse to return to the Lord. As the chapter progresses, the imagery shifts from a hopeful appeal to vivid descriptions of the coming destruction, portraying the land as desolate and the people as terrified ([Jeremiah 4:5-18](/jeremiah/4-5 "Jeremiah 4:5-18 - The Coming Invasion")). Jeremiah 4:21 is a deeply personal interjection within this larger prophetic oracle, revealing the prophet's own agonizing experience of witnessing the unfolding catastrophe, a precursor to the profound lamentations found later in the book and in the book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Jeremiah's Lament Over Jerusalem").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. The primary threat during this time was the rising Neo-Babylonian Empire, which God used as His instrument of judgment against Judah for their idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The "standard" (military banner) and the "trumpet" (shofar, used for war alarms) were universally recognized symbols of an approaching army and the call to battle in the ancient Near East. The invasion route from the North was common for armies entering Judah, making the imagery immediate and terrifying for the original audience. The prophet's lament reflects the desperate situation of a nation on the brink of destruction, having ignored generations of divine warnings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. It underscores the theme of **Imminent Judgment and Warfare**, vividly portraying the immediate, tangible threat of war as the consequence of unrepentant sin, a theme echoed throughout [Jeremiah 5](/jeremiah/5 "Jeremiah 5 - God's Judgment on Judah"). It also highlights **Prophetic Anguish**, showcasing Jeremiah's profound personal suffering and lament as he bears the burden of God's message and foresees the devastation of his people. This personal agony is a hallmark of Jeremiah, often earning him the title "the weeping prophet," as seen in his cries in [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Weeping"). Furthermore, the persistent nature of the "standard" and "trumpet" implies **Unheeded Warnings**, emphasizing that despite clear signs and Jeremiah's persistent prophecies, the people of Judah largely refused to repent, leading to their inevitable downfall as described in [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **see (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** From H7200, this primitive root signifies "to see," literally or figuratively, with numerous applications including discerning, perceiving, and having experience. In Jeremiah 4:21, it conveys Jeremiah's ongoing, agonizing visual perception of the signs of war, indicating a repeated and unavoidable encounter with these dreadful omens rather than a fleeting glance.
* **standard (Hebrew, _nêç'_):** From H5251, this noun refers to a flag, banner, or signal pole, often used in a military context to rally troops or signify an army's presence and advance. It is a potent visual symbol of an invading force, representing the gathering of hostile armies and the impending onset of battle.
* **trumpet (Hebrew, _shôwphâr'_):** From H7782, this word denotes a cornet or curved horn, specifically a ram's horn. The shofar was used not only in religious ceremonies but crucially for sounding alarms, summoning armies, or signaling battle. Its sound evokes immediate urgency, danger, and the call to war, making its persistent sound in the verse a chilling auditory sign of continuous alarm and impending doom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How long shall I see the standard,"**: This opening clause expresses Jeremiah's profound weariness and despair. The rhetorical question "How long?" conveys a sense of prolonged suffering and an earnest plea for an end to the dreadful sight. The "standard" represents the visible, undeniable signs of the approaching enemy army, a constant, horrifying reminder of the impending judgment that Jeremiah is forced to witness repeatedly.
* **"and hear the sound of the trumpet?"**: This parallel clause adds an auditory dimension to Jeremiah's torment. The "sound of the trumpet" signifies the persistent, piercing alarm of war, a signal for battle that continuously assails the prophet's ears. Together with the "standard," it forms a complete sensory picture of an inescapable, ever-advancing military threat, amplifying the prophet's personal anguish and the nation's dire situation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 4:21 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer but to express the prophet's deep anguish, weariness, and despair over the relentless onslaught of judgment and the unheeded warnings. It functions as a profound lament, echoing the cries of suffering found throughout the Psalms. **Symbolism** is central, with the "standard" and "trumpet" serving as powerful symbols of war, invasion, and divine judgment. These are not merely objects but represent the tangible, terrifying reality of an approaching army, an instrument of God's wrath. Furthermore, the verse employs vivid **Sensory Imagery**, appealing directly to sight ("see the standard") and sound ("hear the sound of the trumpet"). This dual sensory input makes the threat immediate, inescapable, and deeply personal, drawing the listener into the prophet's experience of dread and foreboding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 4:21 powerfully articulates the theological truth that God, in His righteousness, brings judgment upon persistent sin and rebellion. The prophet's anguish is a reflection of God's own sorrow over His people's unfaithfulness, yet it also underscores the inevitability of consequences when divine warnings are ignored. The "standard" and "trumpet" are not random occurrences but instruments and signs of God's sovereign will, demonstrating His control over nations and history to accomplish His purposes, even through punitive measures. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of covenant disobedience and the reality that God's patience, though vast, is not infinite.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Warnings of Invasion")
* [Isaiah 5:26](/isaiah/5-26 "Isaiah 5:26 - God Lifts a Standard")
* [Ezekiel 33:1-6](/ezekiel/33-1 "Ezekiel 33:1-6 - The Watchman's Duty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 4:21 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and society. It reminds us that just as ancient Judah faced the tangible consequences of their rebellion, so too do our actions, individually and corporately, have consequences, especially when we persistently ignore divine warnings and persist in sin. The prophet's anguish serves as a powerful call to spiritual discernment, urging us to recognize the "standards" and "trumpets"—the warning signs of spiritual decay, moral compromise, or societal brokenness—that God may be sounding in our own lives or in the world around us. This verse encourages a heart of intercession and lament, prompting us to bear the burden of truth and to speak it, even when it is painful or unpopular, for the sake of repentance and restoration. Ultimately, Jeremiah's "How long?" is an implicit plea for an end to spiritual apathy and a desperate hope for turning back to God before it is too late, emphasizing the timeless urgency of repentance and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "standards" or "trumpets" might God be sounding in my life or in our society today, warning of unheeded sin or impending consequences?**
* **How does Jeremiah's anguish challenge my own level of concern for spiritual apathy or moral decline in my community or nation?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a heart that is more attuned to God's warnings and more willing to respond with repentance and intercession?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "standard" and "trumpet" in this verse?**

Answer: The "standard" (or banner/flag) and the "trumpet" are potent military symbols. They signify the imminent approach of an invading army and the call to battle. In Jeremiah 4:21, they represent the tangible, undeniable signs of God's impending judgment against Judah, carried out through the instrument of the Babylonian forces. These are not distant threats but immediate, horrifying realities that fill the prophet with dread, indicating that the time for repentance is rapidly running out and the consequences of unfaithfulness are at the very doorstep.

**Why does Jeremiah ask "How long?"**

Answer: Jeremiah's question, "How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?" is a cry of profound anguish, weariness, and despair. It expresses his personal torment at continually witnessing the signs of the inevitable destruction of his people, despite his fervent and persistent warnings. It is a lament over the unheeded calls to repentance and the relentless, seemingly unending advance of judgment. It reflects his deep burden for the nation and his desire for an end to their spiritual blindness and the impending catastrophe. This question underscores the prophet's identification with the suffering of his people, even as he delivers God's stern message.

**How does this verse relate to God's character?**

Answer: This verse reveals several aspects of God's character. Firstly, it highlights His **justice** in bringing judgment upon a people who have persistently rebelled against His covenant and ignored His warnings. Secondly, it demonstrates His **patience** and **longsuffering**, as He provided numerous warnings through prophets like Jeremiah before the judgment finally arrived. The "how long" implies a period of grace that was ultimately exhausted. Thirdly, it shows God's **sovereignty** and **control** over history, as He uses foreign nations like Babylon as instruments to accomplish His divine purposes, even those involving severe discipline, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's personal anguish and the impending judgment he foresees in Jeremiah 4:21 find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jeremiah, the "weeping prophet," foreshadows Jesus Christ, who also wept over Jerusalem, lamenting their spiritual blindness and the coming destruction due to their rejection of Him ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")). The "standard" of judgment that Jeremiah saw approaching Judah ultimately points to the cross of Christ, where the ultimate "standard" of God's wrath against sin was lifted up and borne, not by a nation, but by the perfect Son of God. On the cross, Jesus became our [curse](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us From the Curse"), enduring the judgment we deserved, thus providing a way of escape from the ultimate spiritual destruction. The "sound of the trumpet" that heralded physical war for Judah finds its ultimate echo in the call to repentance through the Gospel, which is the good news that through Christ's sacrifice, sin can be forgiven and reconciliation with God achieved ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel")). Furthermore, the final "trumpet" will sound at Christ's glorious return, signaling the ultimate and final judgment for the unrepentant and the glorious gathering of His redeemed people ([1 Thessalonians 4:16](/1_thessalonians/4-16 "1 Thessalonians 4:16 - The Lord's Return")). Thus, Jeremiah's lament, while rooted in historical judgment, ultimately points to the greater judgment overcome by Christ and the final, glorious hope found in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 4:19

¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

2 Chronicles 36:6

Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:7

Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:17

Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand.

2 Chronicles 36:10

And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 6:1

¶ O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

Jeremiah 4:5

¶ Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.