Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Cut down the trees and build siege ramps against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; it is filled with oppression. New Living Translation This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: “Cut down the trees for battering rams. Build siege ramps against the walls of Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished, for she is wicked through and through. English Standard Version For thus says the LORD of hosts: “Cut down her trees; cast up a siege mound against Jerusalem. This is the city that must be punished; there is nothing but oppression within her. Berean Standard Bible For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst. King James Bible For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her. New King James Version For thus has the LORD of hosts said: “Cut down trees, And build a mound against Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished. She is full of oppression in her midst. New American Standard Bible For this is what the LORD of armies says: “Cut down her trees And pile up an assault ramp against Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished, In whose midst there is only oppression. NASB 1995 For thus says the LORD of hosts, “Cut down her trees And cast up a siege against Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished, In whose midst there is only oppression. NASB 1977 For thus says the LORD of hosts, “Cut down her trees, And cast up a siege against Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished, In whose midst there is only oppression. Legacy Standard Bible For thus says Yahweh of hosts, “Cut down her trees And cast up a siege against Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished, In whose midst there is only oppression. Amplified Bible For the LORD of hosts has said, “Cut down her trees And build a siege [mound] against Jerusalem. This is the city which must be punished; There is nothing but oppression inside her [walls]. Christian Standard Bible For this is what the LORD of Armies says: Cut down the trees; raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished. There is nothing but oppression within her. Holman Christian Standard Bible For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: Cut down the trees; raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished. There is nothing but oppression within her. American Standard Version For thus hath Jehovah of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her. Contemporary English Version I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I will command these armies to chop down trees and build a ramp up to the walls of Jerusalem. People of Jerusalem, I must punish you for your injustice. English Revised Version For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast up a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her. GOD'S WORD® Translation This is what the LORD of Armies says: Cut down its trees. Build up dirt mounds to attack Jerusalem. This city must be punished. There is nothing but oppression in it. Good News Translation The LORD Almighty has ordered these kings to cut down trees and build mounds in order to besiege Jerusalem. He has said, "I will punish this city because it is full of oppression. International Standard Version For this is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "Cut down trees and set up siege works against Jerusalem. It is the city to be judged, and there is oppression throughout the entire city. NET Bible All of this is because the LORD who rules over all has said: 'Cut down the trees around Jerusalem and build up a siege ramp against its walls. This is the city which is to be punished. Nothing but oppression happens in it. New Heart English Bible For the LORD of hosts said, "Cut down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem. She is the city to be punished; she is full of oppression in the midst of her. Webster's Bible Translation For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst. World English Bible For Yahweh of Armies said, “Cut down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem. This is the city to be visited. She is filled with oppression within herself. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor thus said YHWH of Hosts: “Cut down her wood, "" And pour out a mound against Jerusalem, "" She [is] the city to be inspected, "" She [is] full of oppression in her midst. Young's Literal Translation For thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Cut down her wood, And pour out against Jerusalem a mount, She is the city to be inspected, Wholly -- she is oppression in her midst. Smith's Literal Translation For thus said Jehovah of armies, Cut off the wood, and throw up a mound against Jerusalem: this the city to be reviewed; oppression is wholly in her midst. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor thus saith the Lord of hosts: Hew down her trees, cast up a trench about Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited, all oppression is in the midst of her. Catholic Public Domain Version For thus says the Lord of hosts: “Cut down her trees, and build a rampart around Jerusalem. This is the city of visitation! Every kind of false claim is in her midst. New American Bible For thus says the LORD of hosts: Hew down her trees, throw up a siege mound against Jerusalem. Woe to the city marked for punishment; there is nothing but oppression within her! New Revised Standard Version For thus says the LORD of hosts: Cut down her trees; cast up a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This is the city that must be punished; there is nothing but oppression within her. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor thus says the LORD of hosts, Hew down her trees and cast a mound against Jerusalem; this is the city to be visited with destruction; all of her calumnies are in the midst of her. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated For thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ‘Cut down her trees and set an ambush against Jerusalem. This is the city that was visited and all her slanders within her OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For thus hath the LORD of hosts said: Hew ye down her trees, And cast up a mound against Jerusalem; This is the city to be punished; Everywhere there is oppression in the midst of her. Brenton Septuagint Translation For thus saith the Lord, Hew down her trees, array a numerous force against Jerusalem. O false city; there is all oppression in her. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jerusalem's Final Warning…5Rise up, let us attack by night and destroy her fortresses!’ ” 6For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst. 7As a well gushes its water, so she pours out her evil. Violence and destruction resound in her; sickness and wounds are ever before Me.… Cross References Isaiah 29:3 I will camp in a circle around you; I will besiege you with towers and set up siege works against you. Ezekiel 4:2 Then lay siege against it: Construct a siege wall, build a ramp to it, set up camps against it, and place battering rams around it on all sides. 2 Kings 25:1 So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. 2 Chronicles 36:19 Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. Lamentations 2:8 The LORD determined to destroy the wall of the Daughter of Zion. He stretched out a measuring line and did not withdraw His hand from destroying. He made the ramparts and walls lament; together they waste away. Micah 3:12 Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge. Isaiah 5:5 Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled. Isaiah 10:5-6 Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. Ezekiel 21:22 In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall. Amos 3:11 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: “An enemy will surround the land; he will pull down your strongholds and plunder your citadels.” Matthew 24:2 “Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Luke 19:43-44 For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. / They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.” Mark 13:2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Matthew 23:37-38 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate. Luke 21:20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. Treasury of Scripture For thus has the LORD of hosts said, Hew you down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the middle of her. no reference Jump to Previous Armies Build Cast City Cruel Cut Earthwork Everywhere False. Filled Hew Hosts Inspected Jerusalem Midst Mound Mount Oppression Placed Punished Ramps Siege Sorrow Trees Visited Ways Wholly WithinJump to Next Armies Build Cast City Cruel Cut Earthwork Everywhere False. Filled Hew Hosts Inspected Jerusalem Midst Mound Mount Oppression Placed Punished Ramps Siege Sorrow Trees Visited Ways Wholly WithinJeremiah 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. For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: This phrase emphasizes the authority and sovereignty of God, often referred to as the "LORD of Hosts," which signifies His command over the armies of heaven. This title underscores His power and the seriousness of the message being delivered. It is a reminder of God's ultimate control over the events of history and His ability to execute judgment. Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem: This city must be punished: There is nothing but oppression in her midst: Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD of HostsThis title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It underscores His role as the divine commander who orchestrates events according to His will. 2. Jeremiah The prophet through whom God delivers His message. Jeremiah is known for his prophecies of judgment and calls for repentance to the people of Judah. 3. Jerusalem The capital city of Judah, significant for its spiritual and political importance. At this time, it is a city marked by sin and rebellion against God. 4. Siege Ramp A military tactic used in ancient warfare to breach city walls. It symbolizes the impending judgment and destruction that God is bringing upon Jerusalem. 5. Oppression The social injustice and moral corruption prevalent in Jerusalem, which has provoked God's judgment. Teaching Points God's Righteous JudgmentGod's judgment is a response to persistent sin and rebellion. He is patient but will not overlook injustice indefinitely. The Consequences of Oppression Societal injustice and oppression are serious sins that provoke God's anger. Believers are called to advocate for justice and righteousness. The Call to Repentance Even in the face of impending judgment, there is always a call to repentance. God desires that His people turn back to Him. The Role of Prophets Prophets like Jeremiah are God's messengers, often bringing difficult truths. We must be open to hearing and responding to God's word, even when it challenges us. The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance Just as Jerusalem was warned, we must remain vigilant in our spiritual lives, ensuring that we do not fall into complacency or sin. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 6:6?2. How does Jeremiah 6:6 illustrate God's judgment on disobedience and sin? 3. What does "cut down her trees" symbolize in the context of divine judgment? 4. How can we apply the warning in Jeremiah 6:6 to modern society? 5. What other scriptures emphasize the consequences of ignoring God's commands? 6. How can believers ensure they heed God's warnings in their personal lives? 7. What historical context surrounds Jeremiah 6:6 and its message to Jerusalem? 8. How does Jeremiah 6:6 reflect God's judgment and justice? 9. What does Jeremiah 6:6 reveal about God's expectations for His people? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 6? 11. How can Jeremiah 6:1 claim impending doom on Jerusalem without historical evidence of such a massive catastrophe at that specific time? 12. Why does Jeremiah 6:6-7 describe the city's wickedness as an inexhaustible well of evil, seemingly exaggerating beyond archaeological findings of ancient Jerusalem's daily life? 13. If God is omnipotent, why does He need to swear by Himself to carry out judgment (Amos 6:8)? 14. What are the key events in Jeremiah's life? What Does Jeremiah 6:6 Mean For this is what the LORD of Hosts saysThe voice speaking is “the LORD of Hosts,” the Commander of heaven’s armies. His titles stress both authority and power. When He announces judgment, no opposing force can stand. Similar moments appear in Jeremiah 5:14 (“‘Because you have spoken this word, I will make My words a fire in your mouth,’ declares the LORD…”) and Isaiah 6:3, where seraphim acknowledge Him as “the LORD of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.” The repeated formula reminds us that Jeremiah is not voicing personal opinions but conveying God’s unalterable decree. Cut down the trees Ancient armies felled nearby timber to build war machines or clear fields of fire. Here God commands the attackers themselves—likely the Babylonians (Jeremiah 1:14–15; 25:9)—to harvest Judah’s own resources for her downfall. • Deuteronomy 20:19–20 permits Israel to cut non-fruit trees during siege warfare, underscoring the literal practice Jeremiah describes. • Isaiah 10:34 portrays the LORD chopping down the lofty forest of Assyria; now Jerusalem faces a mirrored fate, showing God’s impartial justice (Romans 2:11). • Jeremiah 22:7 warns, “I will send destroyers against you… They will cut down your choice cedars,” linking the lumber imagery with divine judgment on arrogance. Raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem The ramp (or mound) allowed invaders to breach walls (2 Samuel 20:15; Ezekiel 4:2). By ordering its construction, God authorizes the very tactics that will topple His own city—because the city has forfeited covenant protection. • Jeremiah 32:24 notes siege ramps already “arrived at the city,” confirming fulfillment. • Lamentations 2:17 states, “The LORD has done what He purposed; He has fulfilled His word,” showing that the later destruction exactly matches the prophetic warning. • Luke 19:43 records Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and predicting new siege ramps by Rome, an echo that underscores the pattern of discipline when God’s people resist His call. This city must be punished The judgment is not capricious; it is a moral necessity. Other translations say “she is to be visited,” but the sense is “held accountable.” • Jeremiah 5:9 asks, “Should I not punish them for these things?”—a rhetorical question with the same answer given here. • Micah 3:12 likewise announces, “Zion will be plowed like a field,” aligning various prophets in unanimous testimony. • Hebrews 10:30 reminds believers, “The Lord will judge His people,” affirming that covenant relationship never negates divine discipline. There is nothing but oppression in her midst God’s verdict focuses on systemic injustice. Jerusalem’s leaders exploit rather than protect (Jeremiah 6:7: “Violence and destruction resound in her; sickness and wounds are ever before Me”). • Isaiah 1:21 laments, “Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.” The city’s moral decay is longstanding. • Ezekiel 22:29 catalogs similar crimes—extortion, robbery, mistreatment of the vulnerable—showing that oppression, not merely idolatry, precipitates judgment. • James 5:4 warns that withheld wages cry out to the Lord of Hosts; social injustice still invites His response today. summary Jeremiah 6:6 presents God’s courtroom decree. The Almighty mobilizes foreign troops, orders the felling of trees, and directs the engineering of siege ramps—all because Jerusalem’s society is saturated with oppression. The verse teaches that: • God’s words carry sovereign authority and come to pass exactly. • Divine judgment uses tangible means—armies, axes, earthen ramps—to accomplish spiritual purposes. • Moral failure, especially entrenched injustice, invites inevitable discipline, even upon those once favored. • The passage calls readers to trust God’s righteous character and examine their own communities, knowing He still opposes oppression and upholds His word. (6) Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount.--The words describe graphically the process of an Eastern siege as seen in the Assyrian bas-reliefs (Layard, Mon. of Nineveh, i. 73-76). Compare 2Samuel 20:15; Job 19:12; Isaiah 29:3; Ezekiel 4:2. First the neighbouring country is cleared by cutting down the trees; next, either by piling earth on these as a timber framework, or using the earth alone, a "mount" (or, in later English, a mound) was raised till it reached the level of the wall of the besieged city; and then the assault was made. The law of Israel forbade, it may be noted, this destruction, but apparently only in the case of fruit-trees (Deuteronomy 20:19-20). There is no adequate ground for the marginal rendering, "pour out the engine of shot."Is . . . to be visited.--Literally, is visited, in the sense of "punished," but Hebrew usage gives to the verb so employed a gerundive force. The words admit, however, of the rendering, this is the city; it is proved that wholly oppression is in the midst of her. . . . Verse 6. - Hew ye down trees; rather, her trees. Hewing down trees was an ordinary feature of Assyrian and Babylonian expeditions. Thus, Assurnacirpal "caused the forests of all (his enemies) to fall" ('Records of the Past,' 3:40, 77), and Shalmaneser calls himself "the trampler on the heads of mountains and all forests "(Ibid. p. 83; comp. p. 90). The timber was partly required for their palaces and fleets, but also, as the context here suggests, for warlike operations. "Trees," as Professor Rawlinson remarks, "were sometimes cut down and built into the mound" (see next note); they would also be used for the "bulwarks" or siege instruments spoken of in Deuteronomy 20:20. Cast a mount; literally, pour a mount (or "bank," as it is elsewhere rendered), with reference to the emptying of the baskets of earth required for building up the "mount" (mound). Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1:10) says of the Chaldeans, "He laugheth at every stronghold, and heapeth up earth, and taketh it" (comp, also 2 Samuel 20:15; Isaiah 37:33). The intention of the mound was not so much to bring the besiegers on a level with the top of the walls as to enable them to work the battering-rams to better advantage (Rawlinson, 'Ancient Monarchies,' 1:472). She is wholly oppression, etc.; rather, she is the city that is punished; wholly oppression is in the midst of her.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Forכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction this is what כֹ֤ה (ḵōh) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel of Hosts צְבָא֔וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign says: אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Cut down כִּרְת֣וּ (kir·ṯū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant the trees עֵצָ֔ה (‘ê·ṣāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6097: Timber and raise וְשִׁפְכ֥וּ (wə·šip̄·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 8210: To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out a siege ramp סֹלְלָ֑ה (sō·lə·lāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5550: A military mound, rampart of besiegers against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Jerusalem. יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel This הִ֚יא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are city הָעִ֣יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement must be punished; הָפְקַ֔ד (hā·p̄ə·qaḏ) Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit there is nothing but כֻּלָּ֖הּ (kul·lāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every oppression עֹ֥שֶׁק (‘ō·šeq) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6233: Injury, fraud, distress, unjust gain in her midst. בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ׃ (bə·qir·bāh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center Links Jeremiah 6:6 NIVJeremiah 6:6 NLT Jeremiah 6:6 ESV Jeremiah 6:6 NASB Jeremiah 6:6 KJV Jeremiah 6:6 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 6:6 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 6:6 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 6:6 French Bible Jeremiah 6:6 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:6 For thus has Yahweh of Armies said (Jer.) |
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