Jeremiah 16:5
“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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God isn't just forbidding Jeremiah from attending funerals; He's showing that the devastation will be so complete that the usual customs of mourning and even feasts will be impossible. The reason is stark: He has removed His "peace"—which encompasses all blessings, His steadfast love and mercy—from the people because of their sin.
God has just commanded Jeremiah not to marry or have children because of the impending devastation, and now He forbids him from participating in the customary mourning rituals for the dead. This isn't just about personal grief; it signifies that the coming judgment will be so widespread and severe that normal expressions of sorrow will be impossible, and the people will be unworthy of such sympathy. The reason for this desolation is that God is withdrawing His peace, His steadfast love, and His mercy from them due to their unfaithfulness.
Understand the original words
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A term often denoting the covenant loyalty, faithful love, and devotion of God toward His people. It implies an act of kindness that goes beyond mere obligation, rooted in His promise.
racham · Hebrew Noun
A term signifying compassion, pity, or tender affection, often used to describe God's internal disposition toward those in need or distress. It is frequently associated with the 'womb' or deep, visceral feeling.
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shalom · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew concept of wholeness, completeness, soundness, and welfare. It encompasses not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of God's blessing, order, and harmony in the life of a person or nation.
saphad · Hebrew Verb
In a biblical context, it refers to the act of expressing deep sorrow or grief, typically over death or divine judgment. It involves both the internal emotion and the external ritualistic expression of mourning.
This verse comes at the cusp of Jerusalem's final destruction and the widespread exile. The command to not mourn highlights the overwhelming nature of the coming judgment, where God's presence and favor ('peace') have been withdrawn, making normal expressions of grief inadequate and almost irrelevant in the face of national catastrophe.
c. 627 BC
Jeremiah Ordained as Prophet
Jeremiah begins his prophetic ministry during the reign of King Josiah, a time of religious reform but also underlying societal and political instability in Judah.
609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah's death in battle at Megiddo against the Egyptians marked a turning point, leading to a succession of weak rulers and increasing foreign influence.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonians achieve victory over Egypt and begin deporting key Judean citizens, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This signifies the loss of sovereignty for Judah.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Another wave of exiles, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, are taken to Babylon. Judah becomes a vassal state.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and carries out a final, massive deportation. This event represents the catastrophic climax of God's judgment on Judah.
c. 582 BC
Third Deportation to Babylon
A final deportation occurs after a rebellion against Babylonian rule, removing more of the remaining population.
This passage parallels Jeremiah's command, forbidding Ezekiel from mourning for his wife's death as a sign of the impending destruction and the removal of God's comfort.
Luke 10:5While Jesus says to wish peace on a house, Jeremiah's message is the opposite: God's peace is being withdrawn, so entering a house in a spirit of normal sympathy or blessing is inappropriate when judgment is coming.
John 14:27Jesus speaks of His peace as distinct from the world's peace, highlighting that Jeremiah's 'peace' being taken away signifies the removal of God's favor and blessing, a profound spiritual loss.
Hosea 2:9This verse describes God withdrawing His grain, wine, wool, and flax, mirroring Jeremiah's message of God removing His 'peace,' steadfast love, and mercy as a consequence of unfaithfulness.
clarkeJeremiah 16:5: "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."
Enter not into the house of mourning - The public calamities are too great to permit individual losses to come into consideration.
gillJeremiah 16:5: "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."
For thus saith the Lord, enter not into the house of mourning,.... On account of his dead relations or neighbours; since they were taken away from the evil to come, and therefore no occasion to mourn for them: moreover, this was to show the certainty of what is before and after said…
God isn't just forbidding Jeremiah from attending funerals; He's showing that the devastation will be so complete that the usual customs of mourning and even feasts will be impossible. The reason is stark: He has removed His "peace"—which encompasses all blessings, His steadfast love and mercy—from the people because of their sin.
God has just commanded Jeremiah not to marry or have children because of the impending devastation, and now He forbids him from participating in the customary mourning rituals for the dead. This isn't just about personal grief; it signifies that the coming judgment will be so widespread and severe that normal expressions of sorrow will be impossible, and the people will be unworthy of such sympathy. The reason for this desolation is that God is withdrawing His peace, His steadfast love, and His mercy from them due to their unfaithfulness.
God has just commanded Jeremiah not to marry or have children because of the impending devastation, and now He forbids him from participating in the customary mourning rituals for the dead. This isn't just about personal grief; it signifies that the coming judgment will be so widespread and severe that normal expressions of sorrow will be impossible, and the people will be unworthy of such sympathy. The reason for this desolation is that God is withdrawing His peace, His steadfast love, and His mercy from them due to their unfaithfulness.
"“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." — God isn't just forbidding Jeremiah from attending funerals; He's showing that the devastation will be so complete that the usual customs of mourning and even feasts will be impossible. The reason is…
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