Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 6:4

"Prepare 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." — Jeremiah 6:4 (ASV)

Prepare 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 Chaldeans, 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 midday meal, they would eagerly 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, still impatient and unwilling to wait as their commanders order them for an attack at daybreak, they shout, “Let us go by night.”