Jeremiah 6:25

Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy [and] fear [is] on every side.

Go not forth {H3318} into the field {H7704}, nor walk {H3212} by the way {H1870}; for the sword {H2719} of the enemy {H341} and fear {H4032} is on every side {H5439}.

Don't go into the countryside, don't walk out on the road; for the sword of the enemy is spreading terror in every direction.

Do not go out to the fields; do not walk the road. For the enemy has a sword; terror is on every side.

Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy, and terror, are on every side.

Commentary

Jeremiah 6:25 paints a vivid and terrifying picture of the imminent danger facing the people of Judah, warning them against venturing outside their homes. The prophet Jeremiah conveys the stark reality of life under siege and invasion, where safety is non-existent, and peril lurks everywhere.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Jeremiah Chapter 6, where the prophet graphically describes the impending invasion of Jerusalem by a powerful northern foe, historically understood to be the Babylonians. The people of Judah had persistently refused to heed God's warnings and calls for repentance (Jeremiah 6:8), leading to divine judgment. Verses like Jeremiah 6:22-24 preceding this verse already detail the merciless nature of the approaching army. Jeremiah 6:25 emphasizes the pervasive fear and insecurity that would grip the populace, making even routine activities like walking in the field or by the road extremely hazardous.

Key Themes

  • Pervasive Danger: The command "Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way" highlights that no public space is safe. The threat is universal and inescapable, signaling a complete breakdown of societal order and security in ancient Judah during the Babylonian invasion.
  • Overwhelming Fear: The phrase "fear is on every side" underscores the psychological terror that accompanies the physical threat. This isn't just about the presence of an enemy, but the deep, paralyzing dread that permeates daily life. This widespread terror signifies a total loss of peace and safety.
  • Divine Judgment: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the context of Jeremiah's prophecies reveals that this calamitous situation is the consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness and rebellion against God. The "sword of the enemy" is an instrument of God's righteous judgment upon a defiant nation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "fear on every side" is mฤgรดr missฤvรฎv (ืžึธื’ื•ึนืจ ืžึดืกึธึผื‘ึดื™ื‘). This particular expression is a recurring motif in Jeremiah, often used by the prophet himself and later applied to him (e.g., Jeremiah 20:10, where Pashhur names Jeremiah "Magor-missabib" due to his terrifying prophecies). It powerfully conveys a sense of inescapable terror and encirclement by dread, making it a chillingly apt description of the situation Judah faced.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 6:25 serves as a potent reminder of the severe consequences of persistent disobedience and spiritual rebellion. It illustrates how a nation's departure from God can lead to profound instability and widespread suffering. For believers today, it highlights the importance of heeding divine warnings and seeking righteousness, recognizing that while God is merciful, there are also consequences for rejecting His ways. In times of global unrest or personal trials, this verse can resonate as a stark depiction of vulnerability, urging us to seek the ultimate refuge and peace found only in God, even when the world around us is filled with "fear on every side."

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 49:29

    Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear [is] on every side.

  • Psalms 31:13

    For I have heard the slander of many: fear [was] on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

  • Jeremiah 14:18

    If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

  • Job 18:11

    ยถ Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.

  • Jeremiah 20:10

    For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, [say they], and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, [saying], Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

  • Jeremiah 8:14

    Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 20:3

    And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib.
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