Jeremiah 6 - Introduction

Jeremiah 6:1-30. The Doom

In this chapter Jeremiah continues to give warning of the Scythians" approach, and furnishes the people with a lively representation of the troubles that were at hand. It will not now suffice, in accordance with Jeremiah 4:5 ff., to flee to walled towns. Zion itself will be captured. This modification suggests either that this ch. belongs to a somewhat later date than the earlier passage, or that it was altered to suit the circumstances of Jehoiakim's reign. The ch. falls into four divisions, each, after the first, beginning with the words, "Thus saith the Lord." The first (1 8) depicts the approach of the enemy and the preparations for a siege; the second (9 15) describes the capture of the city whose wickedness the prophet denounces; the third (16 21) declares that the formal offerings made to God shall not help them in the day of their trouble; the fourth (22 30) sets out the cruelty with which the enemy shall treat them.