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Jeremiah 4:21

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 4:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
Jeremiah 4:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness; for it is bitter, for it reacheth unto thy heart.
19My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart; my heart is disquieted in me; I cannot hold my peace; because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
20Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is laid waste: suddenly are my tents destroyed, [and] my curtains in a moment.
21How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
22For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are sottish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
23I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
24I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved to and fro.
← Jeremiah 4:20Jeremiah 4:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“How long shall I see the standard, etc.] “Ensign” or “banner” displayed; either by the watchmen placed on high hills or towers, who, when they see the enemy approaching, lift up their ensign or banner, and blow with their trumpets, to give the people warning and notice of it, and to call them to battle, and that they might prepare for the same, as Kimchi observes; or else by the Chaldean army, which came with colours flying, trumpets blowing, and set in array for battle, which was very terrible, as an army with banners is, (<220604>Song of Solomon 6:4,10): and hear the sound of the trumpet? either of the watchmen giving notice of danger, and summoning to battle, or of the enemy preparing to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Judah in perplexity asks, How long is this state of things to continue?”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The standard - See Jeremiah 4:6. The alarm caused by the invasion is graphically described. The people are dispersed over the land following their usual pursuits, when tidings come of the enemy’s approach. The only chance of escape is a hasty flight. Flags stream from the hills to mark the safest route, while the blasts of the trumpet quicken the steps of the wavering. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“How long: Jer 4:14 shall I: Jer 4:5, Jer 4:6, Jer 4:19, Jer 6:1; Ch2 35:25, Ch2 36:3, Ch2 36:6, Ch2 36:7, Ch2 36:10, Ch2 36:17 Jeremiah 4:22”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification