Jérémie 6:4 Midrash : Sifra, Otzar Midrashim, Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael & Aggadat Bereshit

1) (Vayikra 23:5) ("In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, it is Pesach to the L–rd.") I might think, when it gets dark; it is, therefore, written "day." If "day," I might think from the second hour (of the day); it is, therefore, written "at twilight." Just as twilight marks the "turning" of the day (towards evening), so, "day" (here) marks the turning of the day, from the sixth hour on. And even though there is no proof for this, it is intimated (in Yirmiyahu 6:4) "Woe unto us for the day is turning, for the shadows of evening have stretched forth."

God said to Jeremiah, "Go to Anathoth," for as long as Jeremiah was in the city, no enemies would enter it. Therefore, God sent him to Anathoth, and he departed. As soon as he left, the enemies entered the city, set it on fire, and burned the Holy Temple. When Jeremiah returned and approached Jerusalem, he reached the midpoint of his journey and ascended a hill about three miles from Jerusalem. There, he saw smoke, etc. Immediately, Jeremiah tore his garments, placed ashes on his head, and hastened to the city, crying and shouting, etc. He hurried because many days had passed since Jeremiah, as a young man, walked with Nebuchadnezzar. On that day, Nebuchadnezzar was not a king but a poor and despised man. He would say, "If only I were the king of the entire world, I would come to Jerusalem, burn the Holy Temple and the city, kill everyone, and take the rest as captives." Jeremiah, with his prophetic vision, saw that Nebuchadnezzar's time was approaching and that everything he said would come true. Jeremiah asked him, "Give me Jerusalem." Nebuchadnezzar replied, "I won't." Jeremiah again said, "Give me the Holy Temple." The response was, "I won't." He continued, "Give me the Sanhedrin." The answer was, "I won't." He then asked, "Give me the young students of the rabbi." Again, the answer was, "I won't." Jeremiah asked, "What will you give me?" Nebuchadnezzar replied, "Whatever you can save and remove from the city from midday till evening." That's why Jeremiah hurried to Jerusalem. However, he didn't arrive until the evening and couldn't save anyone. This is reflected in the verse, "Woe unto us! For the day declines, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out" (Jeremiah 6:4).

R. Nathan says: Whence is it derived that "ben ha'arbayim" signifies midday? Even though there is no proof for this, it is intimated in (Jeremiah 6:4) "Prepare for battle against her. Arise and let us go up at noon (midday). Woe unto us for the day is declining, for the shadows of evening go forth!"