Jeremiah 16 5

Jeremiah 16:5 kjv

For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, even lovingkindness and mercies.

Jeremiah 16:5 nkjv

For thus says the LORD: "Do not enter the house of mourning, nor go to lament or bemoan them; for I have taken away My peace from this people," says the LORD, "lovingkindness and mercies.

Jeremiah 16:5 niv

For this is what the LORD says: "Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal; do not go to mourn or show sympathy, because I have withdrawn my blessing, my love and my pity from this people," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 16:5 esv

"For thus says the LORD: Do not enter the house of mourning, or go to lament or grieve for them, for I have taken away my peace from this people, my steadfast love and mercy, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 16:5 nlt

This is what the LORD says: "Do not go to funerals to mourn and show sympathy for these people, for I have removed my protection and peace from them. I have taken away my unfailing love and my mercy.

Jeremiah 16 verses

Jeremiah 16 5 Meaning

Jeremiah 16:5 conveys a divine command prohibiting the prophet Jeremiah from engaging in any traditional rituals associated with mourning and grief, specifically from entering houses where such rites occur, or participating in formal laments. The profound reason given for this seemingly harsh instruction is that God has utterly withdrawn His "peace," "lovingkindness," and "mercies" from the people of Judah. This divine action signifies a state of severe judgment, where the usual comforting bonds of society and God's compassionate nature are suspended due to the people's persistent sin, indicating an unprecedented period of desolation where even mourning will be futile or impossible.

Jeremiah 16 5 Context

Jeremiah chapter 16 forms a crucial segment where the prophet himself becomes a living, visible prophecy of the impending judgment. The instructions in verse 5 are part of a series of severe personal prohibitions God places on Jeremiah: he is forbidden from marrying or having children (16:1-4), from attending mourning rituals (16:5-7), and from participating in celebratory feasts (16:8-9). These prohibitions cover the three most significant social events in human life—birth, death, and marriage/celebration—symbolizing that normal life, social structure, and community solidarity will utterly collapse in Judah due to divine judgment. This specific verse prepares the audience for the full horror of the coming catastrophe, implying that the scale of death will be so immense, and God's hand so heavily upon them, that even the fundamental human right and comforting ritual of mourning will be impossible or inappropriate. Historically, Judah was rapidly heading towards exile by Babylon, a period marked by persistent idolatry and a failure to heed prophetic warnings, making God's withdrawal of "peace, lovingkindness, and mercies" a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness to the covenant.

Jeremiah 16 5 Word analysis

• For thus says the LORD: (כִּי כֹה אָמַר יְהוָה, ki khoh amar YHWH)

  • This is a standard prophetic formula asserting the divine authority behind the message. It underscores that the following prohibition is not Jeremiah's personal idea but a direct revelation from God. Its inclusion demands immediate and solemn attention, signifying an unchallengeable divine decree.

• Do not enter (אַל־תָּבוֹא, al-tavo)

  • A direct and emphatic negative command, indicating an absolute prohibition. It suggests avoidance and non-participation, not just refraining from emotional involvement, but physical absence.

• the house of mourning (בֵּית מַרְזֵחַ, beit marzeach)

  • מַרְזֵחַ (marzeach) is a key term, referring to a funerary feast or gathering for the dead. While generally indicating a mourning assembly, in some ancient Near Eastern contexts (and potentially among the Israelites), marzeach could involve elements of excessive revelry, ritual feasting, or even cultic practices potentially associated with the veneration of the dead or other pagan rituals. The prohibition here denies Jeremiah the communal social support of his people, and implicitly acts as a polemic against any practices that might stray from pure worship or were simply rendered obsolete by God's severe judgment. The focus is on the communal aspect of grief, highlighting the severing of community bonds.

• nor go to lament (וְאַל־תֵּלֵךְ לְהֶסְפֵּד, ve'al-telek l'hespeid)

  • הֶסְפֵּד (hesped) denotes a formal eulogy or a public lamentation for the deceased. This command specifically prohibits Jeremiah from performing or joining in the structured, vocal expressions of grief that were customary, often involving professional mourners. It underscores a disengagement from public grieving customs.

• or bemoan them (וְאַל־תָּנוּד לָהֶם, ve'al-tanud lahem)

  • נוּד (nud) means to shake the head, show sympathy, console, or express deep sorrow. It describes active, often physical, gestures of empathy and commiseration with the bereaved. This part of the command forbids even silent, empathetic participation in grief, completing the exclusion of Jeremiah from the entire spectrum of mourning.

• for I have taken away (כִּי אָסַפְתִּי, ki asafei)

  • אָסַפְתִּי (asafti) literally means "I have gathered/withdrawn/removed." This active verb emphasizes God's deliberate and sovereign act in orchestrating this withdrawal. It's not a passive disappearance but an intentional judgment.

• My peace (אֶת־שְׁלוֹמִי, et-s'lomi)

  • שָׁלוֹם (shalom) is far richer than just "peace" as absence of conflict. It encompasses wholeness, well-being, health, security, prosperity, harmonious relationships, and overall flourishing. God's shalom is foundational for societal stability and individual prosperity. Its removal signifies utter disorder and destruction.

• from this people (מֵאֵת הָעָם הַזֶּה, me'eit ha'am hazzeh)

  • Specifies the target of judgment: Judah, the covenant people of Israel, whose ongoing rebellion provoked this divine response.

• says the LORD, (נְאֻם יְהוָה, n'um YHWH)

  • A concluding prophetic formula that reaffirms the divine origin and finality of the statement.

• My lovingkindness (הַחֶסֶד, ha'chesed)

  • חֶסֶד (chesed) denotes God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, mercy, and enduring faithfulness. It is a cornerstone of God's character and His relationship with Israel. The withdrawal of chesed indicates the profound breach of the covenant from Israel's side, leading to a temporary suspension of God's normal, unwavering devotion.

• and My mercies (וְהָרַחֲמִים, ve'ha'rachamim)

  • רַחֲמִים (rachamim) signifies deep compassion, tender pity, and visceral empathy (derived from the word for 'womb', suggesting maternal-like affection). Its withdrawal means God's tenderheartedness towards their suffering will be withheld, implying an extraordinary and severe punishment.

Words-group analysis:

• "Do not enter the house of mourning, nor go to lament or bemoan them": This phrase details a comprehensive ban on all aspects of communal grief, ranging from entering the physical space to actively participating in eulogies and even showing sympathetic gestures. It encapsulates a complete social and emotional isolation, acting as a vivid symbol of the upcoming breakdown of societal bonds and the overwhelming nature of the future devastation, where normal human comforting rituals will be suspended.
• "for I have taken away My peace... My lovingkindness and My mercies": This grouping provides the theological justification for the harsh command. The trio of "peace (shalom)," "lovingkindness (chesed)," and "mercies (rachamim)" represents the fundamental pillars of God's blessings and covenant relationship. Their collective withdrawal signifies an unprecedented, absolute judgment, where God ceases to uphold the well-being, loyal love, and tender compassion typically extended to His people, making the scale of impending suffering utterly dire and devoid of divine solace.

Jeremiah 16 5 Bonus section

The command in Jeremiah 16:5 marks Jeremiah's public role as a prophet whose very life becomes a parable. His forced abstention from marriage (16:2) and social feasts (16:8) combined with this prohibition against mourning, severs him from the typical human experience and community bonds. This makes him a prophetic performance artist, embodying the barrenness, sorrow, and ultimate desolation that will afflict Judah. The use of marzeach for "house of mourning" specifically (rather than a more general term) suggests a subtle critique of certain excesses or syncretistic practices associated with mourning rituals, further emphasizing the divine rejection of their corrupted ways. God's withdrawal of chesed and rachamim is particularly shocking because these are attributes He consistently reveals as His core identity (Ex 34:6-7). Their removal indicates an extraordinary and temporary deviation from His normal character towards His covenant people, driven by their extreme provocation. This profound disruption serves as a stark warning, illustrating that continued rebellion will ultimately lead to a suspension of even God's most fundamental expressions of grace towards His unfaithful covenant partners.

Jeremiah 16 5 Commentary

Jeremiah 16:5 is not merely a legalistic prohibition but a potent symbolic act. God instructs Jeremiah to abstain from the universally acknowledged and comforting rituals of mourning precisely because the impending catastrophe in Judah will be so immense and dreadful that normal mourning will become impossible, inappropriate, or irrelevant. By withdrawing His shalom (wholeness, well-being), chesed (steadfast love), and rachamim (tender mercies), God signals the utter breakdown of the covenant relationship and the profound depth of His judgment against persistent idolatry and disobedience. This radical command forces Jeremiah to embody the severity of God's verdict, standing as a lone figure detached from the traditional communal supports, reflecting the desolate future of the nation. It highlights that the usual human capacity for comfort, compassion, and communal solidarity will be swallowed up by widespread death and the absence of divine favor. The absence of these core divine attributes means there is no remaining divine provision for healing, no covenantal faithfulness to buffer suffering, and no tender pity for their anguish, signifying a judgment unparalleled in its severity for Israel.