What people and great nation are coming from the north?

This section (Jeremiah 6:22–26) and the next one (Jeremiah 6:27–30) help draw to a close the extended section declaring the Lord’s judgment on Judah (Jeremiah 4:5–6:30). We return again to the unidentified nation that will invade from the north (Jeremiah 1:13–15; Jeremiah 4:6; Jeremiah 6:1), bringing the Lord’s judgment. Here the Lord describes this invader as a great nation that is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth. This phrase describes a nation that comes from a very remote region, and it serves to create the impression of the ominous nature of the threat.¹ Even though the enemy is not identified, it becomes clear later that it is indeed Babylon.