New International Version“Prepare for battle against her! Arise, let us attack at noon! But, alas, the daylight is fading, and the shadows of evening grow long.
New Living TranslationThey shout, ‘Prepare for battle! Attack at noon!’ ‘No, it’s too late; the day is fading, and the evening shadows are falling.’
English Standard Version“Prepare war against her; arise, and let us attack at noon! Woe to us, for the day declines, for the shadows of evening lengthen!
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.
King James BiblePrepare 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.
New King James Version“Prepare war against her; Arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us, for the day goes away, For the shadows of the evening are lengthening.
New American Standard Bible‘Prepare for war against her; Arise, and let’s attack at noon. Woe to us, for the day declines, For the shadows of the evening lengthen!
NASB 1995“Prepare war against her; Arise, and let us attack at noon. Woe to us, for the day declines, For the shadows of the evening lengthen!
NASB 1977“Prepare war against her; Arise, and let us attack at noon. Woe to us, for the day declines, For the shadows of the evening lengthen!
Legacy Standard BibleSet yourselves apart for war against her; Arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us, for the day declines, For the shadows of the evening stretch out!
Amplified Bible“[They shout], ‘Prepare for war against her; Arise, let us [take her by surprise and] attack her at noon. But alas, the daylight pales, The evening shadows grow long.
Christian Standard BibleSet them apart for war against her; rise up, let’s attack at noon. Woe to us, for the day is passing; the evening shadows grow long.
Holman Christian Standard BibleSet them apart for war against her; rise up, let’s attack at noon. Woe to us, for the day is passing; the evening shadows grow long.
American Standard VersionPrepare 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.
Contemporary English VersionKings will tell their troops, "If we reach Jerusalem in the morning, we'll attack at noon. But if we arrive later,
English Revised VersionPrepare 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.
GOD'S WORD® Translation[The shepherds say,] 'Prepare yourselves for war against Zion. Let's attack at noon! How horrible it will be for us. The day is passing, and the shadows of evening are growing longer.
Good News TranslationThey will say, "Prepare to attack Jerusalem! Get ready! We'll attack at noon!" But then they will say, "It's too late, the day is almost over, and the evening shadows are growing long.
International Standard VersionPrepare for war against her. Get ready, let's attack at noon! How terrible for us that the day is coming to an end, and that the evening shadows are lengthening.
NET BibleThey will say, 'Prepare to do battle against it! Come on! Let's attack it at noon!' But later they will say, 'Oh, oh! Too bad! The day is almost over and the shadows of evening are getting long.
New Heart English Bible"Prepare war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us. For the day declines, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
Webster's Bible TranslationPrepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us! for the day departeth, for the shadows of the evening are lengthened. Majority Text Translations Majority 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.
World English Bible“Prepare war against her! Arise! Let’s go up at noon. Woe to us! For the day declines, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Sanctify the battle against her, "" Rise, and we go up at noon. Woe to us, for the day has turned, "" For the shades of evening are stretched out,
Young's Literal Translation Sanctify ye against her the battle, Rise, and we go up at noon. Woe to us, for turned hath the day, For stretched out are the shades of evening,
Smith's Literal TranslationConsecrate ye war against her; arise, and we will go up at noon. Wo to us! for the day turned away, for the shadows of the evening will stretch forth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BiblePrepare ye war against her: arise, and let us go up at midday: woe unto us, for the day is declined, for the shadows of the evening are grown longer.
Catholic Public Domain Version‘Sanctify a war against her! Rise up together, and let us ascend at midday.’ ‘Woe to us! For the day has declined; for the shadows of the evening have grown longer.’
New American Bible“Prepare for war against her, Up! let us rush upon her at midday!” “Woe to us! the day is waning, evening shadows lengthen!”
New Revised Standard Version“Prepare war against her; up, and let us attack at noon!” “Woe to us, for the day declines, the shadows of evening lengthen!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BiblePrepare war against her; and say, Arise, let us go up at noon. Woe to us! for the day is spent, and the shadows of the evening are lengthened.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedPrepare war against her, and they shall say: “Arise, go up at noonday! Woe to us, for the day has declined and the shadows of the evening have grown long! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Prepare 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!'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationPrepare yourselves for war against her; rise up, and let us go up against her at noon. Woe to us! for the day has gone down, for the shadows of the day fail.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Jerusalem's Final Warning… 3Shepherds and their flocks will come against her; they will pitch their tents all around her, each tending his own portion: 4‘Preparefor battleagainst her;rise up,let us attackat noon.Woeto us,forthe daylightis fading;the eveningshadowsgrow long.5Rise up, let us attack by night and destroy her fortresses!’ ”…
Cross References Isaiah 13:4-5Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war. / They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens—the LORD and the weapons of His wrath—to destroy the whole country.
Joel 3:9-11Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war; rouse the mighty men; let all the men of war advance and attack! / Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’ / Come quickly, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves. Bring down Your mighty ones, O LORD.
Zephaniah 1:7-8Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests. / “On the Day of the LORD’s sacrifice I will punish the princes, the sons of the king, and all who are dressed in foreign apparel.
Amos 5:18-20Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light. / It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake. / Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?
Ezekiel 7:7Doom has come to you, O inhabitants of the land. The time has come; the day is near; there is panic on the mountains instead of shouts of joy.
Isaiah 22:5For the Lord GOD of Hosts has set a day of tumult and trampling and confusion in the Valley of Vision—of breaking down the walls and crying to the mountains.
Zechariah 14:1-3Behold, a day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided in your presence. / For I will gather all the nations for battle against Jerusalem, and the city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city. / Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.
Revelation 16:14These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.
Matthew 24:6-8You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. / All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Luke 21:20-22But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. / While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Revelation 19:19Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army.
Isaiah 5:26-30He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come! / None of them grows weary or stumbles; no one slumbers or sleeps. No belt is loose and no sandal strap is broken. / Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind. ...
Micah 3:5-6This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them.
Nahum 3:1-3Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without prey. / The crack of the whip, the rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! / Charging horseman, flashing sword, shining spear; heaps of slain, mounds of corpses, dead bodies without end—they stumble over their dead—
Treasury of Scripture Prepare you war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us! for the day goes away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. Prepare. Jeremiah 5:10 Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for theyare not the LORD'S. Jeremiah 51:27,28 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… Isaiah 5:26-30 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: … at noon. 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 causedhim to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city. 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. for the. Jeremiah 8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. shadows. 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. Jump to Previous AlasAriseAttackBattleDaylightDeclinesDeclinethDepartethEveningFadingGrowHighLengthenedNoonOursPrepareReadyRiseSanctifyShadesShadowsSorrowStretchedSunTurnedWarWoWoeJump to Next AlasAriseAttackBattleDaylightDeclinesDeclinethDepartethEveningFadingGrowHighLengthenedNoonOursPrepareReadyRiseSanctifyShadesShadowsSorrowStretchedSunTurnedWarWoWoeJeremiah 6 1.The enemies sent against Judah,4.encourage themselves.6.God sets them on work because of their sins.9.The prophet laments the judgments of God because of their sins.18.He proclaims God's wrath.26.He calls the people to mourn for the judgment on their sins.Prepare for battle against her;This phrase indicates a call to arms against Jerusalem. The context is the impending judgment on Judah due to their persistent sin and rebellion against God. Historically, this reflects the Babylonian threat under King Nebuchadnezzar. Theologically, it underscores God's sovereignty in using nations as instruments of His judgment, as seen in other scriptures like Isaiah 10:5-6. rise up, let us attack at noon.
Attacking at noon suggests urgency and confidence, as battles were typically not initiated during the hottest part of the day. This reflects the aggressors' determination and the inevitability of the judgment. It also symbolizes the suddenness of God's judgment, reminiscent of the unexpectedness of the Day of the Lord mentioned in1 Thessalonians 5:2. Woe to us, for the daylight is fading;
This lamentation reflects the realization of impending doom. The fading daylight symbolizes the diminishing opportunity for repentance and the closing window of God's mercy. It echoes the urgency found inJohn 9:4, where Jesus speaks of working while it is day before the night comes. the evening shadows grow long.
The lengthening shadows signify the approach of night, a metaphor for judgment and destruction. Culturally, evening was a time of uncertainty and vulnerability. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic warnings, such asAmos 8:9, where darkness symbolizes God's judgment. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment at the end of the age, as described inRevelation 6:12-17. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahThe prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment due to their disobedience. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing imminent invasion due to its persistent sin and rebellion against God. 3. Babylonian InvadersThe foreign army that God would use as an instrument of judgment against Judah. 4. The City of JerusalemThe capital of Judah, often personified in the text as the object of the impending attack. 5. The Day and Evening ShadowsSymbolic of the urgency and the impending doom that was approaching Judah, emphasizing the limited time for repentance. Teaching Points Urgency of RepentanceJust as the people of Judah were warned of the impending attack, we are reminded of the urgency to turn from sin and seek God’s forgiveness. God’s Sovereignty in JudgmentGod uses nations and events to fulfill His purposes. We must recognize His hand in the affairs of the world and trust in His ultimate plan. The Reality of Divine JudgmentThe passage serves as a sobering reminder that God’s patience has limits, and judgment is a real consequence of persistent disobedience. Spiritual PreparednessJust as the invaders prepared for battle, we must be spiritually prepared, living in a state of readiness for Christ’s return. The Shortness of TimeThe imagery of the day waning and evening shadows lengthening reminds us that our time is limited, urging us to live purposefully and righteously. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Jeremiah 6:4?
2.How does Jeremiah 6:4 illustrate the urgency of God's impending judgment?
3.What can we learn about spiritual vigilance from Jeremiah 6:4?
4.How does Jeremiah 6:4 connect with other warnings in the book of Jeremiah?
5.How should believers respond to God's warnings in Jeremiah 6:4 today?
6.What practical steps can we take to prepare for spiritual battles like in Jeremiah 6:4?
7.What historical context surrounds Jeremiah 6:4 and its call to prepare for battle?
8.How does Jeremiah 6:4 reflect God's judgment on Jerusalem?
9.What is the significance of the phrase "Arise, let us attack at noon" in Jeremiah 6:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 6?
11.What does the Bible say about paranoia?
12.In Jeremiah 15:6, God says, 'I am weary with relenting,' yet other scriptures present Him as unchanging (e.g., Malachi 3:6). How do we reconcile this apparent contradiction?
13.If Jeremiah 15:1 implies God would not listen to Moses or Samuel, how does this align with other passages portraying a merciful God?
14.What does the Bible say about trials and tribulations?What Does Jeremiah 6:4 Mean Prepare for battle against her“Prepare for battle against her” •The invaders God is raising up (Jeremiah 5:15–17) rally their forces against Jerusalem. •Literal armies will soon surround the city (Jeremiah 52:4), yet the command ultimately issues from the Lord who “plans and brings it to pass” (Isaiah 14:24). •By revealing the enemy’s war cry, God underscores His justice: Judah’s sin has brought this on herself (Jeremiah 6:13–15).
rise up“rise up” •No more delay—judgment moves from warning to execution (Jeremiah 1:17;Habakkuk 1:6). •Spiritually, the call reminds us that God’s patience is not endless; when He acts, events accelerate quickly (2 Peter 3:9–10).
let us attack at noon“let us attack at noon” •An assault in the heat of the day shows supreme confidence, like the Philistines who struck Saul’s sons “in the heat of the day” (2 Samuel 4:5). •This midday timing mirrors earlier warnings: “the destroyer at noon” (Jeremiah 15:8). Judah’s imagined safety evaporates in broad daylight.
Woe to us“Woe to us” •The attackers lament that the daylight they counted on is slipping away; even they sense the ominous weight of the moment. •God often lets the instruments of judgment feel His dread (Isaiah 10:5–7). Here their brief complaint heightens the drama: doom is closing in on everyone who resists the Lord (Nahum 3:1).
for the daylight is fading“for the daylight is fading” •Time to accomplish their task is short—nightfall threatens to hinder the siege. •For Judah the fading light pictures the nation’s waning opportunity to repent (John 12:35;Jeremiah 13:16). When light dims, judgment deepens.
the evening shadows grow long“the evening shadows grow long” •Dusk signals that the window of mercy is almost gone (Amos 8:9;Micah 3:6). •Shadows stretch over Jerusalem as sin’s consequences settle in; God’s Word proves literally true down to the setting of the sun. •The scene anticipates the final day when “night comes, when no one can work” (John 9:4).
summaryJeremiah 6:4 records the enemy’s battle orders, yet every word displays God’s sovereign hand. The invading army readies itself, rushes forward with midday boldness, then grumbles as daylight slips away—all unfolding exactly as the Lord foretold. For Judah the verse is a sobering reminder: persistent sin turns warning into wrath, and once the shadows lengthen, the chance to repent is nearly gone. The passage calls us to heed God’s Word while the light still shines, trusting His literal promises of both judgment and redemption. (4) Prepare ye war.--Literally, Sanctify.The opening of the battle was accompanied by sacrifices, divinations, and prayers. Compare Deuteronomy 20:1-3 for the practice of the Israelites, and Ezekiel 21:20-22 for that of the Chaldaeans, which was, of course, present to Jeremiah's mind. The cry thus given with dramatic force comes from the soldiers of the invading army impatient for the fight. They are so eager that, instead of resting at noon, as usual, for their mid-day meal, they would fain press on for the assault. Their orders are against this, and, as the shadows lengthen, they raise their cry of complaint, "Alas for us, the day declines . . ." Then, impatient still, unwilling to wait, as their commanders bid them, for an attack at day-break, they shout, "Let us go by night." Verse 4. - Prepare ye war; literally, sanctify (or, consecrate) war. The foes are dramatically described as urging each other on at the different stages of the campaign. The war is to be opened with sacrifices (comp. Isaiah 13:3 with 1 Samuel 13:9); next there is a forced march, so as to take the city by storm, when the vigilance of its defenders is relaxed in the fierce noontide heat (comp. Jeremiah 15:8); evening surprises the foe still on the way, but they press steadily on, to do their work of destruction by night. The rapidity of the marches of the Chaldeans impressed another prophet of the reign of Josiah - Habakkuk (see Habakkuk 1:6, 8). Woe unto us! for the day goeth away; rather, Alas for us! for the day hath turned.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew “Prepareקַדְּשׁ֤וּ(qad·də·šū)Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6942:To be set apart or consecratedfor battleמִלְחָמָ֔ה(mil·ḥā·māh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421:A battle, waragainst her;עָלֶ֙יהָ֙(‘ā·le·hā)Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstrise up,ק֖וּמוּ(qū·mū)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, standlet us attackוְנַעֲלֶ֣ה(wə·na·‘ă·leh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyat noon.בַֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם(ḇaṣ·ṣā·ho·rā·yim)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6672:A light, double light, noonWoe to us,א֥וֹי(’ō·w)Interjection
Strong's 188:Lamentation, Oh!forכִּי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthe daylightהַיּ֔וֹם(hay·yō·wm)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A dayis fading;פָנָ֣ה(p̄ā·nāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6437:To turn, to face, appear, lookthe eveningעָֽרֶב׃(‘ā·reḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153:Eveningshadowsצִלְלֵי־(ṣil·lê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6752:Shadowgrow long.יִנָּט֖וּ(yin·nā·ṭū)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5186:To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:4 Prepare you war against her (Jer.) |
