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the LORD says: "Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal; do not go to mourn or show sympathy, because I have withdrawn my blessing, my love and my pity from this people," declares the LORD.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 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 1:4-5 | "The word of the LORD came to me: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'" | Divine calling and separation |
| Jeremiah 15:10 | "Woe to me, my mother, that you have borne me—a man of strife and contention to all the land! I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me." | Prophet's personal affliction |
| Jeremiah 20:10 | "For I hear many whispering, 'Terror is on every side! Let us denounce him! Let our eyes watch for his stumbling!'" | Opposition faced by prophet |
| Jeremiah 20:14 | "Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me not be blessed!" | Jeremiah's lament |
| Ezekiel 24:17 | "Gasp silently; do not mourn for the dead. Wrap your turban in place and put your sandals on your feet. Do not cover your lips or eat the bread of men." | Similar directive for Ezekiel |
| Ezekiel 24:22 | "You must do as I have done; you shall not cover your lips or eat the bread of men." | Prophet’s prophetic sign |
| Amos 5:1-2 | "Hear this lament, O house of Israel, which I here make an elegy over you: 'Fallen, fallen is the virgin Israel, never to rise again. She lies abandoned on her land, with no one to raise her up.'" | Call to mourning |
| Hosea 9:1 | "Rejoice not, O Israel! and exult not with shouts, like the peoples; for you have played the harlot, forsaking your God. You have loved the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor." | Prohibiting rejoicing |
| John 11:33 | "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled." | Jesus’ empathy, contrast of profession |
| Romans 12:15 | "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." | Christian principle of empathy |
| Romans 12:1 | "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and ultimate worship." | Prophet's life as sacrifice |
| 1 Corinthians 15:33 | "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" | Maintaining focus |
| Matthew 11:17 | "And we played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn." | Jesus' commentary on disconnect |
| 1 Samuel 15:11 | "'I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.' And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night." | Prophet's deep emotional response to disobedience |
| Jeremiah 14:17 | "You shall say to them, 'Let my eyes flow without cease, by day and by night, and let them not keep silent; for the virgin daughter of my people is struck down with a mighty blow, with a very grievous wound.'" | Continual mourning by the prophet |
| Leviticus 10:6 | "And Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, 'Do not let your hair go wild, or your clothes become torn, lest you die, and lest wrath come upon all the people. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may wail over the burning which the LORD has kindled.'" | Distinction between priests' grief response and public mourning |
| Isaiah 63:9 | "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them and carried them all the days of old." | God's sympathy with His people's suffering |
| Galatians 6:2 | "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." | Shared sorrow |
Jeremiah 16 verses
Jeremiah 16 5 Meaning
This verse prohibits a prophet from entering a house of mourning. It also forbids rejoicing or feasting in that context. This separation emphasizes the unique burden and sorrow associated with bearing God's judgment message. The prophet is to remain set apart, embodying the national grief and separation from God.
Jeremiah 16 5 Context
Jeremiah chapter 16 depicts a time of severe impending judgment for Judah due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. God instructs Jeremiah to use his life and his family life as a visible sign of this judgment. This particular verse commands Jeremiah to abstain from participating in the typical communal activities of mourning and celebration. These observances were deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern society, marking communal solidarity in times of crisis or joy. By abstaining, Jeremiah was to starkly contrast himself with the populace, underscoring that their nation's future would be devoid of normal communal expressions of grief or happiness due to the consequences of sin. This isolation amplified the gravity of God's pronouncement.
Jeremiah 16 5 Word Analysis
- לֹא (lo): "No," "not." A straightforward negation.
- בֵּית (beit): "house," "tent." Referring to the dwelling place.
- אֵבֶל (evel): "mourning." Specifically, mourning for the dead, a period of lamentation.
- תָּבֹא (tavo): "you shall enter," "you will go in." The feminine singular imperfect form, addressed to Jeremiah.
- וְאֶל (v'el): "and unto," "and to."
- בֵּית (beit): "house," "tent."
- מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh): "feast," "banquet," "drinking party." A social gathering for eating and drinking, often celebratory.
- תָּבֹא (tavo): "you shall enter," "you will go in." Again, feminine singular imperfect.
- וּלְהִתְאַבֵּל (u'lehita'bel): "and to mourn," "and to grieve." Infinitive form of the Piel conjugation, emphasizing the active performance of mourning rites.
- וְלִבְכֹּת (v'livkot): "and to weep." Infinitive form of Qal conjugation.
- גַּם (gam): "also," "even." Adds emphasis.
- כִּי (ki): "for," "because." Indicates reason or cause.
- חָשַׁל (chashal): This is a crucial word, usually translated as "ruined," "made feeble," "made weak," or "removed." In this context, it describes the state of the people's comfort and blessing, which God has withdrawn. Some translations use "withdrawn my peace" or "taken away my prosperity." It signifies a devastating loss of favor and well-being.
- אֶת (et): Direct object marker.
- שְׁלוֹמִי (shlom-i): "my peace," "my well-being," "my prosperity," "my welfare." It encapsulates a state of wholeness, security, and favor from God. The suffix "-i" indicates "my."
- מֵעִם (me'im): "from," "from with."
- הַזֶּה (hazeh): "this one," "this." Refers to the people.
- נְאֻם (ne'um): "declaration," "utterance," "saying of." Implies authority, God speaking.
- יְהוָה (Yehovah): The LORD. The personal covenant name of God.
Groups of words:
- "house of mourning" (בֵּית אֵבֶל): signifies places where public grief is expressed.
- "house of feasting" (בֵּית מִשְׁתֶּה): denotes social gatherings, often associated with celebration or comfort.
- "withdrawn my peace" (חָשַׁל שְׁלוֹמִי): captures the essence of God removing His favor and protection, leading to national ruin and emptiness.
Jeremiah 16 5 Bonus Section
The word "shalom" (שָׁלוֹם) is rich in meaning, extending beyond mere absence of conflict to encompass wholeness, completeness, and divine well-being. Its removal from the people signifies a profound spiritual and national collapse, not just a superficial sadness. Jeremiah's obedience, even when it meant profound personal isolation and grief, demonstrates his deep commitment to God's message. His profession as a prophet of doom meant he was perpetually in a state of mourning, not just for the dead in a single family, but for the spiritual death and impending physical destruction of his entire nation. The command also implies a focus required for the prophet; his message is too severe to be distracted by personal or communal diversions of ordinary life.
Jeremiah 16 5 Commentary
Jeremiah is commanded to be a prophet of doom, and his actions must reflect this dire message. The prohibition from entering a mourning house signifies that he should not participate in the common human expressions of sorrow that accompany death. Likewise, being barred from feasts indicates he is not to partake in any societal rejoicing or communal comfort. This separation is critical. It underscores that Jeremiah is an ambassador of God's judgment, and his personal life is a living sermon illustrating the coming devastation. God has removed His shalom—peace, well-being, and prosperity—from His people due to their sin. Jeremiah’s inability to share in normal human experiences of grief or joy visually communicates this national loss. His life becomes a stark sign of alienation from God’s blessing. This aligns with other prophets who were given specific symbolic actions to perform as prophetic signs (e.g., Ezekiel’s actions concerning the siege of Jerusalem). His personal abstinence is a sign of the national bereavement that is coming.