Jeremiah 4:6

Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

Set up {H5375} the standard {H5251} toward Zion {H6726}: retire {H5756}, stay {H5975} not: for I will bring {H935} evil {H7451} from the north {H6828}, and a great {H1419} destruction {H7667}.

Set up a signal toward Tziyon, head for cover without delay. For I will bring disaster from the north, yes, dire destruction.

Raise a signal flag toward Zion. Seek refuge! Do not delay! For I am bringing disaster from the north, and terrible destruction.

Set up a standard toward Zion: flee for safety, stay not; for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

Commentary

Jeremiah 4:6 delivers a stark warning to the people of Judah, urging immediate action in the face of impending divine judgment. It emphasizes the severity and proximity of the coming calamity.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's early prophecies, characterized by urgent calls for repentance and dire warnings of judgment if the people do not turn from their idolatry and sin. Chapters 3 and 4 specifically describe Judah's spiritual harlotry and the inevitable consequences. God, through Jeremiah, reveals that He will use a foreign nation as an instrument of His wrath. The repeated phrase "from the north" is a clear indication of the Babylonian empire, which would eventually conquer Judah and destroy Jerusalem.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Warning: The verse highlights God's active role in bringing about the "evil" or calamity as a consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness. It's a direct warning from the Lord Himself.
  • Imminent Threat and Urgency: The commands "Set up the standard," "retire," and "stay not" convey a sense of immediate danger and the necessity for rapid flight. There is no time for hesitation.
  • The Northern Invader: The phrase "evil from the north, and a great destruction" points directly to the specific direction from which the judgment would come. Historically, this refers to the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which was the dominant power to the north of Judah at the time. This specific threat is a recurring motif in Jeremiah's prophecies, as seen in Jeremiah 1:14.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Standard" (KJV) / "Banner" (modern translations): The Hebrew word is nes (נֵס), which refers to a signal, banner, or ensign set up on a high place to rally people or indicate a meeting point. Here, it functions as a warning signal for escape, a call to flee before the onslaught.
  • "Retire, stay not": These are urgent imperatives. "Retire" (הֵעִזוּ - he'izu) means to flee or seek refuge. "Stay not" (אַל־תַּעֲמֹדוּ - 'al-ta'amodu) reinforces the command not to linger or remain, emphasizing the extreme peril.
  • "Evil" (KJV): The Hebrew word is ra'ah (רָעָה). While it can mean moral evil, in this context, it primarily signifies calamity, disaster, affliction, or misfortune. It refers to the destructive consequences of God's judgment, not a moral failing on God's part. This divine act of judgment is mentioned elsewhere, such as in Amos 3:6.
  • "Destruction": The Hebrew word is sheber (שֶׁבֶר), meaning a breaking, ruin, or shattering. It vividly portrays the utter devastation that the invasion would bring upon the land and its people.

Practical Application

While this prophecy was specifically for ancient Judah concerning the Babylonian invasion, its underlying principles resonate today. It serves as a powerful reminder of:

  1. The Consequences of Sin: God is just, and persistent disobedience leads to inevitable consequences. The Bible consistently teaches about the wages of sin.
  2. God's Warnings: Before judgment, God often sends warnings through His prophets, His Word, or circumstances, giving people an opportunity to repent and turn back to Him.
  3. Urgency in Repentance: There are times when God's call to repentance is urgent, and delay can lead to greater suffering. This verse underscores the importance of heeding divine calls without procrastination.

For believers, it reinforces the truth that God is sovereign over nations and history, and His warnings should be taken seriously. It also highlights the importance of spiritual discernment to recognize the "standards" or signals God may be setting up in our own lives or in the world, prompting us to respond appropriately.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 50:2 (5 votes)

    Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

  • Jeremiah 1:13 (5 votes)

    And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof [is] toward the north.

  • Jeremiah 1:15 (5 votes)

    For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.

  • Jeremiah 51:27 (4 votes)

    Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.

  • Jeremiah 4:21 (3 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 62:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

  • Jeremiah 25:9 (3 votes)

    Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.