Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 1 - Verse 14

The verse "Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land" can be found in the book of Jeremiah in the Hebrew Bible. This verse is a prophecy from Jeremiah, in which God warns the people of Israel that a great calamity will come upon them from the north. In ancient times, the direction of the north was often associated with darkness, coldness, and danger. This prophecy symbolizes the impending doom and destruction that the people of Israel would face due to their disobedience to God's commandments. The evil that is predicted to come from the north serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of staying faithful to his teachings. It is a call for repentance and a warning to the people to return to living in accordance with God's will to avoid the impending disaster.

Within the theological interpretation of this verse, scholars often focus on the concept of judgment from God. The imagery of evil coming from the north symbolizes a threat or punishment that will affect all the people in the land. The mention of the north is significant as it was traditionally seen as a place of darkness and chaos in ancient cultures. This verse serves as a warning to the people to turn away from sin and seek righteousness, or face the consequences of divine retribution. Additionally, some word studies have been done on the phrase "evil shall break forth," which can also be translated as "disaster will be poured out." This highlights the severity of the impending judgment and underscores the urgency for repentance and turning back to God. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of straying from His ways.