Jeremiah 6:6

For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this [is] the city to be visited; she [is] wholly oppression in the midst of her.

For thus hath the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} said {H559}, Hew ye down {H3772} trees {H6097}, and cast {H8210} a mount {H5550} against Jerusalem {H3389}: this is the city {H5892} to be visited {H6485}; she is wholly oppression {H6233} in the midst {H7130} of her.

For ADONAI-Tzva'ot says this: "Cut down her trees, and raise a siege-ramp against Yerushalayim! This is the city to be punished; in her there is nothing but oppression.

For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.

For thus hath Jehovah of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.

Jeremiah 6:6 delivers a powerful and somber message from the Lord concerning the impending judgment upon Jerusalem. It vividly describes the method of siege warfare that will be employed against the city and explicitly states the divine reason for this severe "visitation": the pervasive oppression found within her walls.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set during the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah, who warned the Kingdom of Judah in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC about their spiritual decline and impending doom. The phrase "the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's sovereign power as the commander of heavenly and earthly armies, underscoring His authority over the coming invasion. The command to "hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem" refers to ancient siege tactics. Invading armies, such as the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar (who would eventually conquer Jerusalem), would cut down surrounding forests to build siege ramps, towers, and other implements necessary to breach city walls. This prophecy foreshadows the devastating destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, detailing the precise manner in which divine judgment would be executed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment for Injustice: The core message is God's active role in bringing punishment upon a rebellious and corrupt people. Jerusalem's spiritual and moral decay, particularly its "oppression," is the direct cause of its downfall.
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse clearly links the city's internal injustice and exploitation directly to God's severe "visitation." It serves as a stark reminder that sin, especially against the vulnerable, has dire consequences.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: Even the actions of invading armies are presented as being under the direct command of the "LORD of hosts." This highlights God's ultimate control over history and the rise and fall of kingdoms, using instruments (even foreign powers) to fulfill His righteous purposes.

Linguistic Insights

  • "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth): This powerful title, used frequently in the Old Testament, emphasizes God's omnipotence and His role as the supreme warrior and commander. In this context, it reinforces that the coming siege is not merely a human conflict but a divine act.
  • "visited" (Hebrew: paqad): While paqad can mean to inspect or attend to, in this context, it carries a strong connotation of divine judgment and reckoning. It signifies that God is "calling to account" the city for its actions.
  • "oppression" (Hebrew: 'osheq): This term refers to extortion, exploitation, and injustice, particularly against the poor, the weak, and the marginalized. The phrase "wholly oppression in the midst of her" paints a picture of pervasive, systemic injustice that had corrupted the very heart of the city, as detailed in Jeremiah 5:28.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 6:6 serves as a timeless warning that God is just and holds individuals and societies accountable for their moral and ethical state. It underscores the profound seriousness of injustice and exploitation in God's eyes. For believers today, this verse prompts self-examination:

  • Are we, as individuals or communities, inadvertently or directly contributing to systems of oppression or injustice?
  • Do we uphold righteousness and advocate for those who are marginalized?
  • The passage reminds us that while God is merciful, His justice is equally sure. It calls for genuine repentance and a commitment to living righteously, acknowledging God's sovereignty over all circumstances, even those that bring hardship.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 32:24

    Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest [it].

  • Deuteronomy 20:19

    When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field [is] man's [life]) to employ [them] in the siege:

  • Deuteronomy 20:20

    Only the trees which thou knowest that they [be] not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued.

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