Jeremiah 6 5

Jeremiah 6:5 kjv

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

Jeremiah 6:5 nkjv

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

Jeremiah 6:5 niv

So arise, let us attack at night and destroy her fortresses!"

Jeremiah 6:5 esv

Arise, and let us attack by night and destroy her palaces!"

Jeremiah 6:5 nlt

'Well then, let's attack at night
and destroy her palaces!'"

Jeremiah 6 verses

Jeremiah 6 5 Meaning

Jeremiah 6:5 articulates the determined declaration of the invading enemy, explicitly outlining their immediate and decisive military plan against Jerusalem. It portrays the enemy's resolve to launch a surprise night assault on the city's key strategic points, specifically its palaces and fortified strongholds, with the clear intention of utter destruction. The verse serves as a stark prophecy, revealing the mindset of God's appointed agents of judgment who are poised to dismantle Judah's perceived security.

Jeremiah 6 5 Context

Jeremiah chapter 6 continues the prophet's declaration of impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. Verses 1-3 describe the gathering of the invading army, poised for assault around Jerusalem, often referred to as "Daughter Zion." The preceding verse (6:4) reveals the invaders' impatient readiness, shouting "Prepare for war against her! Up, let us attack at noon!" It depicts a relentless enemy, eager for the fray. Verse 5 is an immediate continuation, directly quoting the enemy's internal command or strategic discussion, now focusing on a planned nocturnal attack, indicating not just eagerness but calculated, tactical determination. Historically, this aligns with the encroaching power of Babylon (Chaldeans), which God was raising up as His instrument to punish Judah for its systemic idolatry, injustice, and persistent rejection of His covenant. Jeremiah's message is a somber warning that God's patience has run out, and the promised consequences of the covenant disobedience are now being fulfilled through this ruthless, foreign invader.

Jeremiah 6 5 Word analysis

• Rise up (קוּמוּ - qūmū):

  • Word Level: This is an imperative plural verb, strongly commanding immediate action. It reflects the urgency and directness of military orders.
  • Significance: It portrays the invaders' quick readiness and their leader's absolute authority. It’s a call to arms, mobilizing troops.

• and let us go (וְנַעֲלֶה - wəna‘alēh):

  • Word Level: A cohortative (first common plural imperfect) of the verb ‘ālāh, meaning "to go up, ascend."
  • Significance: "Going up" is often used in ancient Hebrew to describe approaching a city, particularly a fortified one on a hill. It indicates collective intent and implies an organized advance towards Jerusalem.

• by night (בַּלַּיְלָה - ballaylāh):

  • Word Level: This phrase specifically denotes the timing of the assault. Laylāh means "night," prefixed with be- meaning "in" or "by."
  • Significance: A nocturnal attack implies stealth, surprise, and an intention to sow fear and disarray among the defenders. It often suggests a ruthlessness that disregards conventional warfare.

• against her palaces (עַל־אַרְמְנוֹתֶיהָ - ‘al-’armənōtehā):

  • Word Level: ’Armənōt (plural of ’armôn) refers to fortified palaces or citadels. The suffix -hā indicates "her." ‘al- means "against."
  • Significance: "Palaces" represent the seats of power, wealth, and the ruling elite. Targeting them signifies the overthrow of the leadership and the dismantling of the existing social and political order. It's a strike at the very heart of the city's perceived grandeur.

• let us destroy (וְנַשְׁחִיתָה - wənašḥîtāh):

  • Word Level: This is a cohortative verb from šāḥaṯ, a powerful word meaning "to ruin, spoil, corrupt, destroy." It denotes total and utter devastation.
  • Significance: The choice of this verb emphasizes the invaders' aim for complete desolation, not merely conquest or subjugation. It implies no mercy or preservation.

• her strongholds (בִּירֹתֶיהָ - bīrōtehā):

  • Word Level: Bîrōt (plural of bîrāh) refers to fortified castles, fortresses, or citadels. The suffix -hā means "her."
  • Significance: "Strongholds" represent the military defenses and symbols of security that Jerusalem trusted in. Their destruction signifies the complete breakdown of the city's ability to protect itself, illustrating the futility of relying on human defenses rather than God.

• "Rise up and let us go by night": This phrase immediately conveys urgency and a strategic plan. The enemy isn't waiting for daytime or ideal conditions; they are opportunistic and relentless, intending to use the cover of darkness for a swift, overwhelming attack. It speaks to their military discipline and their commitment to conquering.

• "against her palaces, let us destroy her strongholds": This grouping highlights the dual target of the invaders' fury: the centers of power/wealth (palaces) and the defensive fortifications (strongholds). It is a declaration of comprehensive victory, aiming to decapitate the leadership and neutralize all means of resistance. This specific targeting signifies the full measure of the impending judgment.

Jeremiah 6 5 Bonus section

• The shift from "noon" in Jer 6:4 to "night" in Jer 6:5 suggests that the enemy is so determined to strike that they are willing to adapt their strategy for immediate impact, indicating an unrelenting, multi-pronged approach to the siege.
• The phrase is a rhetorical device called a "cohortative chain," where multiple cohortatives ("let us go," "let us destroy") amplify the sense of united purpose and overwhelming force of the invading army.
• In ancient Near Eastern culture, the fall of a city's palaces and strongholds symbolized the complete defeat of its god and the conquering power of the victor's deity. This highlights the theological dimension of Jerusalem's fall as a demonstration of the LORD's power, not the false gods of the invaders.
• The prophetic inclusion of the enemy's direct speech makes the impending threat incredibly visceral and immediate for the original audience, allowing them to 'hear' their destruction unfolding. It emphasizes that this is not a vague prediction but a detailed, inevitable event set in motion by divine judgment.

Jeremiah 6 5 Commentary

Jeremiah 6:5 acts as a chilling, first-hand account of the invaders' destructive intentions, moving beyond mere prophecy to portray the very voice of Jerusalem's doom. Following their impatience declared in verse 4, this verse adds a crucial tactical element: a night attack. This signifies a premeditated, brutal strategy designed for maximum psychological impact, as the cover of darkness often magnified fear and vulnerability in ancient warfare. The chosen targets—"palaces" and "strongholds"—are highly symbolic. Palaces represent the corrupt ruling elite and their false sense of security derived from worldly possessions, while strongholds represent Judah's misplaced trust in physical defenses rather than the protective power of God. The cohortative "let us destroy" is not merely an act of war but an unyielding, communal resolve to utterly desolate these symbols of human pride and self-reliance. This divine permission granted to the enemy underscores God's deep disappointment with His people's persistent apostasy, bringing their once glorious capital to the brink of ruin.