Jeremiah 6:22

KJV

Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Behold, a people {H5971} cometh {H935} from the north {H6828} country {H776}, and a great {H1419} nation {H1471} shall be raised {H5782} from the sides {H3411} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is what ADONAI says: "A people is coming from the land of the north, a great nation will be aroused from the ends of the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD says: “Behold, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is stirred up from the ends of the earth.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, a people cometh from the north country; and a great nation shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 6:22 presents a stark prophetic declaration from the Lord, foretelling the imminent and devastating invasion of Judah by a powerful and distant nation from the north. This divine pronouncement serves as a severe warning, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His use of foreign powers as instruments of righteous judgment against His disobedient covenant people. The verse emphasizes the overwhelming nature and inevitability of the coming catastrophe, a direct consequence of Judah's persistent spiritual rebellion and moral decay.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 6:22 is strategically placed within a broader prophetic indictment against Jerusalem and Judah, culminating in a vivid description of impending divine judgment. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 6:1-8) issue an urgent call for Jerusalem to prepare for siege, explicitly identifying the enemy as coming from the north. Jeremiah 6:9-15 meticulously details the pervasive spiritual sickness of the people, from their false prophets to their corrupt priests, highlighting their superficial religiosity and stubborn refusal to repent. In this context, verse 22 functions as a direct, authoritative divine pronouncement, specifying the nature and origin of the instrument of judgment. It bridges the general warnings of moral decay with the concrete reality of the coming invasion, intensifying the sense of dread and inevitability. The subsequent verses (Jeremiah 6:23-26) further amplify the ferocity and cruelty of this invading army, painting a grim picture of the suffering that awaits Judah. The entire chapter meticulously builds a compelling case for the necessity of God's severe judgment upon a people who have persistently spurned His grace and warnings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry spanned a turbulent period in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, marked by significant geopolitical shifts. The once-dominant Assyrian Empire was in decline, giving rise to new regional powers, primarily Babylon (the Chaldeans) to the east and Egypt to the southwest. Judah, a small kingdom, found itself precariously positioned between these burgeoning empires, often attempting to navigate complex alliances. Despite Jeremiah's consistent warnings to submit to Babylonian suzerainty as God's chosen instrument of judgment, Judah frequently pursued alliances with Egypt, further provoking divine wrath. The "north country" (Hebrew: _tsaphon_) in Jeremiah's prophecies is a consistent and unmistakable reference to Babylon, whose armies would typically approach Judah from the north after traversing the fertile crescent, thereby avoiding the vast Arabian desert. Culturally, Judah had become deeply entrenched in syncretistic practices, blending the worship of Yahweh with Canaanite Baal worship, alongside widespread social injustice, corruption, and a superficial adherence to covenant rituals without genuine heart transformation. This profound spiritual and moral apostasy directly precipitated the divine judgment articulated in this verse.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 6:22 powerfully contributes to several foundational themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it emphatically underscores **Divine Judgment** as the inevitable and just consequence of persistent sin and rebellion against God's covenant. Judah's pervasive idolatry, moral depravity, and social injustice, explicitly detailed in passages like [Jeremiah 7:9-10](/jeremiah/7-9-10 "Jeremiah 7:9-10 - Abominations in the Temple"), necessitate a severe divine response. Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Sovereignty Over Nations**. It reveals that even powerful pagan empires like Babylon are not independent actors but are sovereignly raised up and directed by God to fulfill His divine purposes, serving as instruments of His will, as clearly stated in [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar, God's Servant"). The phrase "shall be raised" powerfully emphasizes this divine orchestration. Thirdly, the verse conveys a profound sense of **Imminent Threat and Inevitability**. The language of a people "cometh" and a nation "shall be raised" communicates an immediate and unstoppable danger, underscoring the urgency of Jeremiah's message and the utter futility of Judah's resistance without genuine repentance. This theme of an unavoidable invasion from the north is a recurring motif, also found in prophecies such as [Jeremiah 4:6](/jeremiah/4-6 "Jeremiah 4:6 - Disaster from the North").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root signifies "to say," but its semantic range is remarkably broad, encompassing declaring, commanding, promising, and even internal thought. Here, it functions as a prophetic formula, introducing a direct divine utterance from the Lord. This emphasizes that the prophecy originates from YHWH Himself, not merely from Jeremiah's human observation or interpretation, thereby bestowing absolute authority, certainty, and inevitability upon the impending events.
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be great," this adjective denotes something large, significant, or powerful in any sense. When applied to the "nation" in this context, it describes their formidable size, overwhelming military might, and the sheer scale of their destructive capacity. It conveys that Judah would be utterly incapable of resisting such a colossal and potent invading force, highlighting the severity of the impending judgment.
* **nation (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** This term specifically refers to a foreign nation or Gentile people, often used in contrast to Israel as God's chosen covenant people. In Jeremiah 6:22, it precisely identifies the invading force as a non-Israelite entity, underscoring that God is employing an external, pagan power to execute His judgment. This further emphasizes the depth of Judah's apostasy, as their covenant God must resort to an outside force to discipline His own rebellious people.
* **raised (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** This primitive root means "to wake," "to stir up," or "to awaken," often implying a divine prompting or activation. Here, it powerfully signifies that the "great nation" is not acting independently or merely by its own ambition, but is being divinely activated, stirred up, and commissioned by the Lord Himself. This highlights God's active, sovereign role in orchestrating the invasion, demonstrating His ultimate control over historical events and human actors, even those unaware of His purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD":** This opening phrase functions as a solemn and authoritative prophetic formula, unequivocally establishing the divine origin and absolute authority of the message that follows. It signals that the subsequent declaration is not merely Jeremiah's human opinion or prediction, but a direct, infallible revelation from YHWH, the covenant God of Israel, thereby guaranteeing the certainty and truthfulness of the prophecy.
* **"Behold, a people cometh from the north country":** The interjection "Behold" (often translated "Look!" or "Indeed!") serves to draw immediate and urgent attention to the impending event, emphasizing its certainty and proximity. "A people" refers to the invading army, specifically identifying the Babylonians (Chaldeans). The "north country" is a consistent and unmistakable prophetic designation in Jeremiah for Babylon, indicating the strategic direction from which their formidable armies would advance into Judah. The use of "cometh" in the present tense (or a prophetic perfect) emphasizes the immediacy and inevitability of their arrival, portraying it as an already decided and rapidly approaching reality.
* **"and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth":** This clause further describes the invading force, amplifying its formidable nature. "A great nation" highlights their immense power, vast numbers, and overwhelming military might, signifying an unstoppable threat. The phrase "shall be raised" underscores God's active and sovereign role in their mobilization; they are not coming by chance or solely by their own ambition, but are being divinely stirred up, commissioned, and empowered by the Lord Himself. "From the sides of the earth" conveys their distant origin and vast reach, portraying them as a global power whose influence extends to the very ends of the known world, making their advance seem utterly unstoppable and unavoidable, a truly universal force.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 6:22 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and dire message. **Prophecy** is the overarching device, as the verse declares a future event with absolute divine certainty. The immediate use of the prophetic formula "Thus saith the LORD" at the outset establishes the authoritative and undeniable voice of God. **Imagery** is vivid and evocative, particularly in the phrases "north country" and "sides of the earth," which conjure a sense of distant, overwhelming, and inescapable power. The "north country" functions as a specific **Symbol** for Babylon, a recurring and ominous motif throughout Jeremiah that consistently points to the divinely appointed instrument of judgment. The phrase "a great nation shall be raised" utilizes **Divine Agency** or **Theopneusty**, implying that God Himself is actively stirring up, mobilizing, and directing this foreign power, rather than it merely rising by its own accord. This underscores God's absolute **Sovereignty** over all nations and historical events, even those seemingly outside His direct control. The stark, declarative tone and the emphasis on inevitability also contribute to the pervasive sense of **Doom** and **Urgency** that characterizes this chapter, leaving the audience with a profound sense of impending catastrophe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 6:22 powerfully articulates the profound theological principle that God is utterly sovereign over all nations and uses them as instruments of His divine justice. This impending judgment is not arbitrary punishment but a direct and inevitable consequence of Judah's persistent covenant unfaithfulness, widespread idolatry, and deep-seated social injustice. The coming invasion from the north signifies God's righteous wrath against a people who have repeatedly rejected His warnings, spurned His grace, and refused to repent. It underscores that divine patience has limits, and unrepentant disobedience ultimately leads to severe and tangible consequences, even for His chosen people. While devastating, this judgment is ultimately intended to purify, humble, and bring about a remnant who will return to Him, demonstrating God's ultimate purpose in both judgment and redemptive restoration.

* [Jeremiah 1:14](/jeremiah/1-14 "Jeremiah 1:14 - The Boiling Pot from the North")
* [Jeremiah 5:15](/jeremiah/5-15 "Jeremiah 5:15 - A Distant, Mighty Nation")
* [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5-6 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Instrument")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 6:22 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of God's unwavering justice and His sovereign hand in orchestrating human history. For believers today, this verse calls us to profound introspection regarding our own faithfulness, obedience, and responsiveness to God's Word. While we may not face a literal invasion from a "north country," the underlying spiritual principle remains: persistent disobedience, spiritual apathy, and compromise with the values of the world can lead to severe spiritual consequences. These may manifest as a loss of peace, joy, and divine favor, a sense of spiritual desolation, or even a tangible decline in the vitality of our faith and communities. This verse challenges us to take God's warnings seriously, to cultivate a heart of genuine repentance, and to actively pursue righteousness, justice, and holiness in our personal lives and collective communities. It also encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan, knowing that even amidst difficult circumstances and global turmoil, He is working all things for His ultimate purposes, sovereignly guiding history towards the establishment of His eternal kingdom. We are called to live with a constant awareness of His sovereignty, responding to His call with humility, obedience, and unwavering faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be ignoring God's warnings or compromising with worldly values, similar to ancient Judah?**
* **How does understanding God's absolute sovereignty over nations, even in acts of judgment, shape my perspective on current global events and geopolitical shifts?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart of deeper repentance, consistent obedience, and passionate pursuit of God's commands in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "north country" referring to in Jeremiah's prophecy?**

Answer: In the prophetic context of Jeremiah, the "north country" (Hebrew: _tsaphon_) unequivocally refers to the Neo-Babylonian Empire, also known as the Chaldeans. Babylon was the dominant geopolitical power during Jeremiah's ministry (late 7th to early 6th centuries BC), and its formidable armies would typically invade Judah from the north after traversing the fertile crescent. Jeremiah consistently identifies this powerful northern entity as the divinely appointed instrument God would use to bring judgment upon Judah for its persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and deep-seated disobedience (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")).

**Why would God use a pagan nation to punish His own people?**

Answer: God's use of a pagan nation like Babylon to punish Judah demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. Despite His covenant relationship with Israel, God holds His people accountable for their persistent sin, idolatry, and rejection of His commands. When repeated warnings, prophetic calls to repentance, and even lesser forms of discipline were ignored, God, in His divine justice, employed a foreign power as a severe instrument of discipline. This act served not only as punishment for their rebellion but also as a profound wake-up call, intended to humble Judah and ultimately lead a faithful remnant back to Him. This theme of God using foreign powers as instruments of judgment is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as God using Assyria against the northern kingdom of Israel in [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5-6 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as the Rod of God's Anger").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 6:22 speaks of a specific historical judgment enacted through a literal invasion, its deeper theological currents find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The terrifying prospect of a "great nation" raised by God from the "sides of the earth" to execute judgment foreshadows the ultimate, universal judgment that will be executed by Christ Himself. He is the one who comes from the very "sides of the earth" in His divine majesty and authority, not merely as an earthly king but as the sovereign Judge of all creation. Just as Babylon was God's instrument against a rebellious Judah, Christ is the ultimate executor of divine justice, not only against the unrepentant but also against all sin and evil that mars God's good creation. However, unlike the earthly invasion that brought only devastation and temporary exile, Christ's coming also ushers in an era of ultimate salvation and eternal restoration for those who believe. He is the one who bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath, becoming the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, the judgment prophesied for human rebellion is absorbed and satisfied, offering a path to reconciliation with God and eternal life. Thus, the terrifying prospect of a "great nation" of judgment is ultimately transformed by the gospel into the glorious hope of a "great salvation" found exclusively in Christ, who will one day return not merely as an instrument of temporal judgment, but as the King of kings and Lord of lords to establish His eternal kingdom in perfect righteousness and peace ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")).

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 10:22

Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, [and] a den of dragons.

Jeremiah 50:41

Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

Jeremiah 50:43

The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.

Jeremiah 5:15

Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it [is] a mighty nation, it [is] an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

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 1:14

Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Jeremiah 1:15

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.