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." - Jeremiah 4:6

"Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction." - Jeremiah 4:6

Jeremiah 4:6 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction." This verse is part of the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, a prophetic book that contains messages from the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is calling the people to set up the standard, or signal, toward Zion, which is the city of God and a symbol of His presence and glory. This call to set up the standard indicates a call to prepare for battle or defense, as well as a call to gather the people to seek refuge in God. The phrase "retire, stay not" further emphasizes the urgency of the situation, urging the people not to delay in responding to the impending threat.

The verse then goes on to declare the reason for this urgency: "for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction." Here, the prophet is foretelling a coming invasion and destruction of the land of Judah by an enemy force from the north. This invasion is depicted as a punishment from God for the disobedience and idolatry of the people, as well as a consequence of their turning away from Him.

The themes and contexts of this verse are inline with the overarching themes of the book of Jeremiah. Throughout the book, the prophet confronts the people of Judah with their sinfulness and calls them to repent and turn back to God. He warns them of the impending judgment and destruction that will come upon them if they continue in their rebellion. The theme of God's judgment and the consequences of turning away from Him runs through the entire book, and this verse is a part of that larger narrative.

The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The north is often used in the Bible as a symbol of evil and destruction. In this verse, the "evil from the north" represents the impending invasion and the destruction that will follow. The call to set up the standard towards Zion symbolizes a call to turn to God for help and protection in the face of this threat. The urgency and seriousness of the situation are conveyed through the language and imagery used in the verse.

Overall, Jeremiah 4:6 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the urgency of seeking refuge and protection in Him. It also highlights the theme of God's judgment and the need for repentance and obedience. As such, it continues to be relevant for believers today, serving as a call to remain steadfast in faith and to seek God's protection and guidance in the face of adversity.

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Jeremiah 4:6 Artwork

Jeremiah 4:6 - "Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction."

Jeremiah 4:6 - "Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction."

"Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction." - Jeremiah 4:6

"Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction." - Jeremiah 4:6

Jeremiah 38:6 (KJVA)
6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

Jeremiah 38:6 (KJVA) 6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

Jeremiah 37:6 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,"

Jeremiah 37:6 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,"

Jeremiah 32:6 - "¶ And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Jeremiah 32:6 - "¶ And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Jeremiah 38:6 - "Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire."

Jeremiah 38:6 - "Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire."

Jeremiah 34:6 - "Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,"

Jeremiah 34:6 - "Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,"

Jeremiah 20:4

Jeremiah 20:4

Jeremiah 37:4 - "Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison."

Jeremiah 37:4 - "Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison."

Jeremiah 40:6 - "Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land."

Jeremiah 40:6 - "Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land."

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

Jeremiah 36:4 - "Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book."

Jeremiah 36:4 - "Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book."

"¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying," - Jeremiah 37:6

"¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying," - Jeremiah 37:6

Jeremiah 48:6 - "Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness."

Jeremiah 48:6 - "Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness."

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6

"¶ And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Jeremiah 32:6

"¶ And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Jeremiah 32:6

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6

Jeremiah 1:4 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Jeremiah 1:4 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Jeremiah 6:2 - "I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman."

Jeremiah 6:2 - "I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman."

Jeremiah 30:4 - "¶ And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah."

Jeremiah 30:4 - "¶ And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah."

Jeremiah 49:6 - "And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD."

Jeremiah 49:6 - "And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD."

Jeremiah 6:28 - "They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters."

Jeremiah 6:28 - "They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters."

Jeremiah 10:4 - "They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

Jeremiah 10:4 - "They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."