King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 4:6 Mean?

“Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. retire: or, strengthen destruction: Heb. breaking”

Context

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.

Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. retire: or, strengthen destruction: Heb. breaking

The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Set up the standard toward Zion.**—Still the language of alarm. The words are as a command, “Raise the signal which shall point to Zion as a place of refuge from the foe, by whom the rest of the country is laid waste.”** Retire.**—*Withdraw, *in the transitive sense, “gather, with a view to removing” (as in Exodus 9:19), and this is followed by “stay not,” *linger not, *be quick. The call to retreat was urgent. **I will bring.**—Literally, *I am bringing.* **From the north.**—The Chaldæan, and possibly the Scythian, invasion, as in Jeremiah 1:14.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 4:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.