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.

O ye children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144}, gather yourselves to flee {H5756} out of the midst {H7130} of Jerusalem {H3389}, and blow {H8628} the trumpet {H7782} in Tekoa {H8620}, and set up {H5375} a sign {H4864} of fire in Bethhaccerem {H1021}: for evil {H7451} appeareth {H8259} out of the north {H6828}, and great {H1419} destruction {H7667}.

"Head for cover, people of Binyamin, get out of Yerushalayim! Blow the shofar in T'koa, light the beacon on Beit-Hakerem. For disaster threatens from the north, with great destruction.

“Run for cover, O sons of Benjamin; flee from Jerusalem! Sound the ram’s horn in Tekoa; send up a signal over Beth-haccherem, for disaster looms from the north, even great destruction.

Flee for safety, ye children of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth-haccherem; for evil looketh forth from the north, and a great destruction.

Commentary

Jeremiah 6:1 (KJV) delivers an urgent and vivid prophetic warning to the people of Judah, specifically those residing in Jerusalem and the surrounding tribal territory of Benjamin. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God commands immediate action in the face of imminent danger.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely in the late 7th or early 6th century BC, as the powerful Babylonian Empire rose to dominance. Jeremiah's ministry was characterized by dire warnings of impending judgment due to Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant. The phrase "evil appeareth out of the north" clearly points to the coming invasion by the Babylonians, who would typically approach from the north, an established invasion route for empires like Assyria and Babylon.

  • Children of Benjamin: This refers to the tribe whose territory included Jerusalem and the surrounding areas, making them the direct recipients of this urgent call to action.
  • Tekoa and Bethhaccerem: These were elevated towns south of Jerusalem, strategically important for signaling. Blowing a trumpet (shofar) in Tekoa and setting up a fire signal in Bethhaccerem were ancient, well-understood methods of alerting the populace to an approaching enemy. This reflects a society reliant on visual and auditory warnings for defense.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Imminent Danger and Judgment: The primary message is the extreme urgency of the situation. "Great destruction" is not a distant threat but an appearing reality, demanding immediate response.
  • Divine Warning and Call to Flee: God, in His mercy, provides a clear warning and an opportunity for the people to escape the coming calamity. The command to "gather yourselves to flee" highlights the severity of the impending doom. This mirrors God's desire to warn His people before judgment falls, much like a watchman blowing the trumpet of warning.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While not explicitly stated in this single verse, the larger context of Jeremiah's prophecy makes it clear that this "evil" and "destruction" are the direct consequences of Judah's sustained rebellion against God's laws and their embrace of idolatry (see Jeremiah 5:25).

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word translated "evil" is ra'ah (רָעָה), which can mean not only moral evil but also calamity, disaster, or affliction, fitting the context of a devastating invasion.
  • "Destruction" comes from the Hebrew sheber (שֶׁבֶר), meaning a breaking, shattering, or ruin, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the coming judgment.
  • "Blow the trumpet" (tiq'u shofar) signifies a loud, unmistakable call to alarm, traditionally used for battle, assembly, or warning, underscoring the critical nature of the message.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 6:1 serves as a timeless reminder of God's faithfulness in warning His people of impending consequences when they stray. For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Spiritual Alertness: Being attentive to spiritual warnings and the signs of the times, recognizing when our actions or society's trajectory may be inviting divine correction.
  • Urgency of Repentance: Just as Judah was called to flee, we are called to turn away from sin and toward God when confronted with His truth. Acts 3:19 speaks of repentance and times of refreshing.
  • Heeding God's Warnings: Understanding that God's warnings are not arbitrary but are given out of love, providing an opportunity for reconciliation and escape from spiritual or temporal disaster.
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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

  • Nehemiah 3:14 (5 votes)

    But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

  • Joshua 18:21 (3 votes)

    Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,

  • Joshua 18:28 (3 votes)

    And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which [is] Jerusalem, Gibeath, [and] Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This [is] the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.

  • 2 Chronicles 11:6 (3 votes)

    He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

  • 2 Samuel 14:2 (3 votes)

    And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

  • Jeremiah 4:5 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Jeremiah 4:6 (3 votes)

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