Jeremiah 6:4

KJV

Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.

KJV (with Strong's)

Prepare {H6942} ye war {H4421} against her; arise {H6965}, and let us go up {H5927} at noon {H6672}. Woe {H188} unto us! for the day {H3117} goeth away {H6437}, for the shadows {H6752} of the evening {H6153} are stretched out {H5186}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Prepare for war against her! Get up! Let's attack at noon!" "Woe to us! for the day is waning, evening shadows are lengthening."

Berean Standard Bible

‘Prepare for battle against her; rise up, let us attack at noon. Woe to us, for the daylight is fading; the evening shadows grow long.

American Standard Version

Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day declineth, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 6:4 vividly portrays the relentless and urgent advance of an invading army against Judah, specifically Jerusalem. The verse captures a chilling transition from the enemy's determined command to "prepare war" and "go up at noon"—an unconventional and aggressive timing for an assault—to their frustrated lament that the day is fading and evening shadows are stretching out. This lament underscores their insatiable desire to complete their destructive task before nightfall, serving as a stark prophetic warning of God's swift, inescapable, and comprehensive judgment upon a people steeped in rebellion and spiritual apostasy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 6:4 is strategically placed within a series of intense prophetic oracles (chapters 4-6) where the prophet Jeremiah delivers God's severe warnings of impending judgment against Judah, particularly Jerusalem, due to their pervasive idolatry, moral corruption, and spiritual unfaithfulness. The preceding verses in [Jeremiah 6](/jeremiah/6 "Jeremiah 6 - The Siege of Jerusalem") depict Jerusalem as a vulnerable, fertile pasture, ripe for devastation, with the enemy already poised for a devastating invasion. Earlier in the chapter, the urgent call to [flee from Jerusalem](/jeremiah/6-1 "Jeremiah 6:1 - Warning to Flee from Jerusalem") and prepare for siege is sounded, establishing the immediate and dire threat. This specific verse intensifies the sense of urgency and highlights the relentless nature of the coming destruction, portraying the invaders as determined, almost zealous, agents of divine wrath.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Jeremiah's prophetic ministry is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period of immense geopolitical upheaval. This era witnessed the decline of the once-dominant Assyrian Empire and the meteoric rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. God was sovereignly raising up Babylon as His chosen instrument of judgment against Judah for their persistent covenant disobedience. From a military perspective, the command to "go up at noon" was highly unusual for an attack in the ancient Near East, as the midday heat was debilitating and often avoided for major military maneuvers. This unconventional timing powerfully emphasizes the invaders' extreme eagerness, their overwhelming confidence, or the sheer unexpectedness of their assault, underscoring their relentless determination to fulfill their destructive mission without delay, defying conventional military wisdom and natural obstacles.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it unmistakably underscores the theme of **Impending Judgment**, demonstrating God's unwavering justice against persistent sin and rebellion. The swiftness and determination of the enemy reflect the certainty and severity of divine discipline, echoing warnings found in [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49-50 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Warnings of Foreign Invasion"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, showing that even foreign nations, seemingly acting on their own accord and driven by their own ambitions, are ultimately instruments in God's hands to execute His righteous purposes, a truth powerfully articulated in passages like [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5-6 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Rod of Anger"). Thirdly, the invaders' lament over the "day goeth away" emphasizes the **Urgency and Inescapability** of the judgment; there is a limited, rapidly closing window for repentance, and once the judgment is unleashed, it is relentless and cannot be averted. Finally, it reinforces the theme of the **Consequences of Rebellion**, vividly illustrating the dire outcomes for a people who have repeatedly turned away from God's covenant and His gracious warnings, as prophesied throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prepare (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** H6942. This word fundamentally means "to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), [idiom] wholly." In the context of "prepare ye war," the Hebrew phrase is *qad'shu milchamah*, literally "sanctify war." This chilling usage suggests that the invaders are not merely making logistical preparations for battle but are consecrating or dedicating themselves to it with a solemn, almost religious resolve. They may perceive their mission as divinely sanctioned or a sacred duty, which adds a terrifying layer of unwavering determination to their advance.
* **Woe (Hebrew, _ʼôwy'_):** H188. This interjection expresses "lamentation; also interjectionally Oh!; alas, woe." It is a cry of profound distress, sorrow, or frustration. In Jeremiah 6:4, the "Woe unto us!" is spoken by the invading army, articulating their intense impatience and vexation that the day is ending, thereby impeding their destructive work. It conveys their insatiable eagerness and relentless drive to complete their task, even to the point of lamenting the natural progression of time and the onset of night.
* **Stretched out (Hebrew, _nâṭâh'_):** H5186. This primitive root signifies "to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield." When applied to "shadows," it powerfully evokes the visual image of lengthening shadows as evening approaches. This symbolizes the diminishing daylight and the rapidly closing window of opportunity for the invaders to complete their task, or, more ominously for Judah, the encroaching darkness of inescapable judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon."**: This opening declaration serves as a direct, urgent command issued by the invading army. The phrase "prepare ye war" (Hebrew: *qad'shu milchamah*) carries the chilling connotation of "sanctify war," implying a solemn, almost ritualistic dedication to the destructive task ahead. The subsequent commands, "arise, and let us go up," convey immediate, decisive, and unhesitating action. The specific detail "at noon" is highly unconventional for a military assault in the ancient world due to the intense heat, underscoring the invaders' extreme eagerness, their overwhelming confidence, or the sheer unexpectedness of their attack, highlighting their relentless and unyielding determination.
* **"Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out."**: This shifts dramatically to the lament of the invading army. The exclamation "Woe unto us!" expresses their profound frustration, impatience, and almost despair. The reason for their lament is that "the day goeth away" and "the shadows of the evening are stretched out," meaning daylight is rapidly fading. This powerfully conveys their insatiable desire to complete their destructive work before nightfall, underscoring their relentless pursuit of their objective and the inescapable, comprehensive nature of the judgment they are bringing upon Judah.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 6:4 is rich with evocative **Imagery**, painting a vivid and unsettling picture of an urgent, relentless military advance. The mention of "noon" evokes the oppressive heat and the unexpectedness of the attack, while "shadows of the evening are stretched out" creates a palpable sense of diminishing light and encroaching darkness, symbolizing the closing window of opportunity for the invaders, or, more critically, the impending doom for Judah. The verse employs subtle **Personification** when it speaks of the "day goeth away" and "shadows... are stretched out," attributing human-like actions or qualities to inanimate elements, which heightens the dramatic tension and sense of an unstoppable force. There is a strong sense of **Urgency** and a dynamic shift in **Pacing** created by the rapid, aggressive commands ("arise, and let us go up") followed immediately by the invaders' frustrated lament. This dramatic shift in tone from aggressive resolve to impatient lament itself creates a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the invaders' fierce determination, fueled by their desire to complete their task, is precisely the means by which God's righteous judgment is being swiftly and relentlessly executed upon a rebellious Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 6:4 serves as a potent and sobering reminder of God's unwavering justice and the severe, inescapable consequences of persistent rebellion against His covenant. It powerfully illustrates that God, in His absolute sovereignty, can and does use seemingly secular or hostile forces as instruments of His divine judgment, even when those forces are entirely unaware of their role in His greater redemptive plan. The urgency conveyed by the invaders' lament over the fading day implicitly serves as a dire warning to Judah that their time for repentance is rapidly running out, emphasizing the crucial biblical concept of a finite window of grace before divine judgment is fully unleashed. This passage underscores that God's prophetic warnings are not idle threats but clear, certain declarations of impending reality for those who stubbornly refuse to turn from their sin, highlighting the profound seriousness of covenant disobedience and the certainty of divine reckoning.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49-50 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Prophecy of Foreign Invasion")
* [Isaiah 5:26-30](/isaiah/5-26-30 "Isaiah 5:26-30 - God Summons a Distant Nation for Judgment")
* [Habakkuk 1:5-6](/habakkuk/1-5-6 "Habakkuk 1:5-6 - The Rise of the Chaldeans as God's Instrument")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 6:4, while rooted in a specific historical judgment upon ancient Judah, carries profound spiritual and practical implications for believers today. It calls us to a posture of deep spiritual vigilance, compelling us to recognize that just as Judah faced an inescapable judgment for their unrepentant sin, so too are there certain consequences for persistent disobedience, spiritual apathy, or moral compromise in our own lives or within the church. The urgency of the invading army, lamenting the fading light to complete their destructive mission, serves as a stark and powerful metaphor for the limited time we have to respond to God's truth and His loving warnings. This passage compels us to honestly examine our hearts for any areas of compromise, idolatry, or spiritual complacency, urging us to repent and re-align with God's will with genuine urgency and wholehearted devotion. It serves as a potent reminder that God's justice is sure and His word is true; and while He is merciful, patient, and slow to anger, there is indeed a point where the "shadows of evening" fall, and opportunities for turning back may diminish. Ultimately, it challenges us to live with a keen and active awareness of God's sovereignty, understanding that He can use various means, even difficult and challenging circumstances, to call His people to repentance and to accomplish His righteous purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I currently delaying obedience or subtly ignoring God's clear warnings?**
* **How does the "urgency" and relentless determination of the invading army in this passage challenge my own spiritual complacency or procrastination?**
* **What "shadows of evening" might be stretching out in my own life, or within the spiritual state of my community or church, indicating a pressing need for urgent repentance and a decisive response to God's call?**

### FAQ
**Who is "her" that the war is being prepared against?**

Answer: "Her" in Jeremiah 6:4 refers to Judah, specifically Jerusalem, which is the primary target of God's impending judgment and the invading army. Throughout Jeremiah's prophecies, Jerusalem is frequently personified as a woman—a daughter, a virgin, or a bride—lamenting her impending destruction due to her unfaithfulness, idolatry, and spiritual prostitution against God. This personification emphasizes the intimate relationship God once had with His people and the profound betrayal of their covenant.

**Why is the attack planned "at noon," which seems like an unusual time for warfare?**

Answer: Attacking "at noon" was highly unconventional and strategically atypical in ancient warfare due to the intense midday heat, which would severely exhaust soldiers and animals. This peculiar detail in Jeremiah 6:4 serves to powerfully emphasize the extreme eagerness, overwhelming confidence, and relentless determination of the invading army. It suggests they are so zealous and unyielding in their mission that they will not be deterred by conventional military challenges, natural obstacles, or even the debilitating climate, thereby highlighting the swift, unexpected, and utterly inescapable nature of the judgment they are bringing upon Judah.

**Who is speaking the lament, "Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out"?**

Answer: This lament is spoken by the invading army itself. It expresses their profound frustration, impatience, and almost desperate eagerness that daylight is rapidly fading, which is hindering their destructive work of conquest and siege. This exclamation underscores their insatiable desire to complete their mission of devastation before nightfall, further emphasizing their relentless pursuit and the dire, closing window of opportunity for Jerusalem as their relentless enemies press on without pause.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 6:4 speaks directly of a historical judgment upon ancient Judah, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment and resonance in several crucial ways. The "woe" pronounced by the invaders, lamenting the fading day, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate "woe" of sin and its devastating consequences, which Jesus Christ Himself, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore on the cross. He endured the full, righteous wrath of God's judgment in our place, thereby opening a definitive way of escape from eternal spiritual destruction. The relentless urgency of the invading army, unwavering in their pursuit, can be seen as a shadow of the ultimate "day of the Lord" when Christ will return in righteous judgment, a truth vividly described in passages like [2 Peter 3:10](/2_peter/3-10 "2 Peter 3:10 - The Day of the Lord's Coming"). Moreover, Jesus Himself wept over Jerusalem, lamenting its tragic refusal to recognize the time of its divine visitation, and prophesied its coming destruction in [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem"), echoing the somber theme of a rapidly closing window of opportunity for repentance. Ultimately, the "war" against sin, death, and the powers of darkness was decisively and eternally won by Christ through His triumphant resurrection, as He disarmed and triumphed over all spiritual authorities (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). For the believer in Christ, the "shadows of evening" that stretch out are not a sign of impending doom from an external enemy, but rather a profound call to live with spiritual urgency in light of the glorious gospel, knowing that our ultimate salvation, our eternal hope, and our secure future are found solely in Christ, who has secured for us the dawn of an eternal day.

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 15:8

Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused [him] to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.

Joel 3:9

¶ Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

Zephaniah 2:4

¶ For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

Jeremiah 8:20

The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

Song Of Solomon 2:17

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Jeremiah 51:27

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 51:28

Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion.