Jeremiah 6:5

KJV

Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.

KJV (with Strong's)

Arise {H6965}, and let us go {H5927} by night {H3915}, and let us destroy {H7843} her palaces {H759}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Get up! Let's attack at night! Let's destroy her palaces!"

Berean Standard Bible

Rise up, let us attack by night and destroy her fortresses!’”

American Standard Version

Arise, and let us go up by night, and let us destroy her palaces.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 6:5 serves as a chilling prophetic declaration, articulating the urgent and destructive intent of an invading army against Judah. This verse, spoken from the perspective of the approaching foe, vividly portrays their eagerness to execute divine judgment upon Jerusalem, symbolizing the complete dismantling of the nation's power, wealth, and perceived security due to its persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion against God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 6:5 is situated within a significant prophetic section of Jeremiah (chapters 4-6) that focuses on the impending invasion of Judah by a "foe from the north." Following earlier calls for repentance and lamentations over Judah's stubbornness, this chapter intensifies the imagery of judgment. The preceding verses in chapter 6 describe the enemy's preparations and their relentless advance, with God Himself commanding them to "cut down her trees" and "cast up a mound against Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 6:6). Verse 5, specifically, shifts the narrative voice to the invaders themselves, revealing their internal resolve and eagerness to carry out the destruction, thereby underscoring the certainty and severity of God's appointed judgment. It's a dramatic literary device that amplifies the sense of immediate peril.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah's prophecies is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period of significant geopolitical upheaval. The "foe from the north" is widely understood to be the Babylonian Empire, which was rapidly rising to prominence and would eventually conquer Judah and destroy Jerusalem in 586 BCE. Judah, despite warnings, continued in idolatry and social injustice, relying on political alliances and fortified cities rather than on God. Culturally, "palaces" (H759, _ʼarmôwn_) represented not merely royal residences but also fortified citadels, centers of political power, wealth, and national security. The concept of a night attack (H3915, _layil_) was strategically significant, offering an element of surprise and psychological terror, often employed to overwhelm defenses and prevent organized resistance.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the **Imminent and Decisive Judgment** of God upon His unfaithful people, emphasizing that the consequences of persistent sin are inescapable, as seen in [Jeremiah 5:25](/jeremiah/5-25 "Jeremiah 5:25 - Consequences of Sin"). Secondly, it underscores the **Futility of False Security**, demonstrating that reliance on human strength, fortified cities, or material wealth ("palaces") offers no ultimate refuge when God's judgment is unleashed, a theme echoed in [Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Security in the Temple"). Finally, the verse portrays the invading army as an **Instrument of Divine Wrath**, a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah, where God sovereignly uses pagan nations to execute His righteous decrees against His disobedient people, as He states in [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Babylon as God's Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arise (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** From H6965, a primitive root meaning "to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)." Here, it is an imperative, conveying a sense of immediate, decisive action and readiness. It indicates the invaders' eagerness and the suddenness with which they will execute their destructive purpose, emphasizing their active participation in God's judgment.
* **destroy (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** From H7843, a primitive root meaning "to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively); batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r)." This word emphasizes the complete and utter devastation intended, not merely damage but a thorough ruination and corruption, leaving nothing intact.
* **palaces (Hebrew, _ʼarmôwn'_):** From H759, from an unused root meaning "to be elevated"; a citadel (from its height); castle, palace. This term refers to fortified royal residences or citadels, symbolizing the centers of national power, wealth, and perceived invulnerability. Their destruction signifies the complete overthrow of the nation's leadership, security, and prestige.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Arise, and let us go by night":** This clause reveals the invaders' swift and clandestine strategy. The imperative "Arise" (קוּמוּ, _qumu_) conveys a sense of urgency and determination, as if they are rousing themselves for an immediate, decisive strike. The phrase "let us go by night" (וְנֵלְכָה בַלַּיְלָה, _v'nelkha vallaylah_) highlights the element of surprise and the intent to exploit the cover of darkness for their assault, maximizing terror and minimizing resistance. It suggests a well-planned, overwhelming attack.
* **"and let us destroy her palaces":** This second clause declares the ultimate objective of the invasion. The word "destroy" (נַשְׁחִיתָה, _nashchita_) signifies total ruination, not just conquest. The target, "her palaces" (אַרְמְנוֹתֶיהָ, _armenoteiha_), represents the heart of Jerusalem's power, wealth, and security. This indicates that the judgment will be comprehensive, striking at the very core of the nation's strength and pride, leaving no aspect of its former glory untouched.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 6:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the invading army is given a voice, expressing their own eagerness and determination to attack ("Arise, and let us go... and let us destroy"). This makes the threat feel more immediate and tangible, as if the listener is overhearing the enemy's war council. **Symbolism** is evident in the word "palaces," which stands not just for physical buildings but for the entire infrastructure of Judah's power, wealth, and perceived security. Their destruction symbolizes the complete collapse of the nation. Furthermore, the phrase "by night" utilizes vivid **Imagery**, evoking a sense of stealth, surprise, and the terror of an unexpected, overwhelming assault under the cover of darkness. This imagery enhances the chilling nature of the impending judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 6:5 powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. It reveals that even pagan armies can become unwitting instruments in the divine plan, executing judgment upon a people who have persistently rebelled against their covenant Lord. The destruction of "palaces" signifies that no human-made defenses, wealth, or political power can ultimately withstand the righteous judgment of God when it is due. This verse serves as a stark reminder that true security is found not in earthly strongholds but in faithful obedience and reliance upon God alone. It underscores the severity of divine judgment and the dire consequences of spiritual complacency and unfaithfulness.

* [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as the Rod of God's Anger")
* [Habakkuk 1:6](/habakkuk/1-6 "Habakkuk 1:6 - The Rise of the Chaldeans")
* [Lamentations 2:2](/lamentations/2-2 "Lamentations 2:2 - The Lord's Destruction of Zion's Strongholds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 6:5, though a prophecy of ancient judgment, carries profound and timeless implications for believers today. It serves as a solemn reminder that God's warnings, whether delivered through Scripture, the promptings of the Holy Spirit, or the circumstances of life, are to be taken with utmost seriousness. Just as Judah's reliance on its "palaces" proved futile, so too can our contemporary "palaces"—be they financial security, social status, intellectual prowess, or even religious rituals devoid of genuine faith—become sources of false security that distract us from our true refuge in God. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, urging us to discern where we might be placing our trust in perishable things rather than in the unshakeable kingdom of God. It implicitly beckons us to genuine repentance, reminding us that while God's justice is sure, His mercy is also abundant for those who humbly turn from their ways and seek Him with all their heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "palaces" or sources of false security might I be relying on in my own life instead of God?**
* **How seriously do I take the warnings and calls to repentance found in Scripture and through the Holy Spirit?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper reliance on God as my ultimate security and refuge?**

### FAQ
**Who are "we" in this verse, and why are they going "by night"?**

Answer: The "we" in Jeremiah 6:5 refers to the invading army, specifically the Babylonians (Chaldeans), who are God's chosen instrument of judgment against Judah. Jeremiah frequently refers to this impending threat as a "foe from the north" (e.g., [Jeremiah 1:14](/jeremiah/1-14 "Jeremiah 1:14 - The Threat from the North")). They are depicted as eager and determined to carry out their mission. The phrase "by night" emphasizes the element of surprise and the strategic advantage of a nocturnal assault. Attacking under the cover of darkness would minimize resistance, maximize terror, and allow for a more swift and decisive overthrow of Jerusalem's defenses and leadership, symbolizing the sudden and overwhelming nature of God's judgment.

**What do the "palaces" symbolize in this context?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 6:5, "palaces" (Hebrew: _ʼarmôwn_) symbolize more than just physical royal residences. They represent the fortified citadels, the centers of political power, national wealth, and perceived security within Jerusalem. Their destruction signifies the complete dismantling of Judah's governmental authority, its economic stability, and its military defenses. It underscores the theological message that no human-made strongholds or material possessions can withstand the righteous judgment of God when a nation has persistently strayed from His covenant, as highlighted throughout Jeremiah's prophecies concerning Jerusalem's downfall (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:14](/jeremiah/7-14 "Jeremiah 7:14 - Destruction of the Temple")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 6:5, with its stark portrayal of the destruction of earthly "palaces" and the certainty of divine judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament judgment on Judah was literal and physical, it foreshadows a deeper, spiritual reality. Christ's advent inaugurated a new kingdom, one "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), whose "palaces" are not built with human hands but are spiritual and eternal. Jesus Himself prophesied the complete destruction of the Jerusalem temple, the ultimate "palace" of Israel's earthly religion, signifying the end of an old covenant system and the ushering in of a new one ([Matthew 24:2](/matthew/24-2 "Matthew 24:2 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction")). The judgment depicted in Jeremiah, executed by an earthly army, points to the ultimate judgment that Christ will execute, not just on nations but on all unrighteousness, when He returns in glory to establish His perfect and everlasting kingdom ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return and Judgment")). For believers, the destruction of earthly "palaces" serves as a powerful reminder that our true security and citizenship are found not in temporal structures but in Christ, who offers an unshakable kingdom and an eternal dwelling place ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakable Kingdom"); [John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")). He is the true refuge, the one who destroys the power of sin and death, offering salvation and eternal life to all who trust in Him.

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 52:13

And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great [men], burned he with fire:

Isaiah 32:14

Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;

2 Chronicles 36:19

And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.

Amos 2:5

But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.

Hosea 8:14

For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.

Psalms 48:3

God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

Jeremiah 17:27

But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.