Jeremiah 16
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Commentaries
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CONTINUATION OF THE PREVIOUS PROPHECY. (Jer. 16:1-21) in this place--in Judea. The direction to remain single was (whether literally obeyed, or only in prophetic vision) to symbolize the coming calamities of the Jews (Eze 24:15-27) as so severe that the single state would be then (contrary to the ordinary course of things) preferable to the married (compare Co1 7:8, Co1 7:26, Co1 7:29; Mat 24:19; Luk 23:29).
Open source ↗The word of the Lord came unto me, saying. The Targum is, the word of prophecy from the Lord: whether this is a new prophecy, or the former continued, is not certain; the latter seems probable. This introduction is omitted in the Septuagint and Arabic versions. The word of the Lord came unto me, saying. The Targum is, the word of prophecy from the Lord: whether this is a new prophecy, or the former continued, is not certain; the latter seems probable. This introduction is omitted in the Septuagint and Arabic versions. Jeremiah 16:2 jer 16:2 jer 16:2 jer 16:2Thou shall not take thee a wife,.... Not because it was unlawful; for it was lawful for prophets to marry, and they did; but because it was not advisable, on account of the calamities and distresses which were coming upon the nation; which would be more bearable by him alone, than if he had a wife, which would increase his care, concern, and sorrow. Neither shall thou have sons nor daughters in this place; in Anathoth, says Kimchi; but it is most likely that Jerusalem in particular is meant, though the whole land of Judea in general may be designed; and though nothing is more desirable than to have children to build up the family, and bear and continue a man's name for futurity, yet in times of public calamity these do but add to the affliction.
Open source ↗The course to be pursued by the prophet with reference to the approaching judgment. - Jer 16:1. "And the word of Jahveh cam to me, saying: Jer 16:2. Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place. Jer 16:3. For thus hath Jahveh said concerning the sons and the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bear them, and concerning their fathers that beget them in this land: Jer 16:4. By deadly suffering shall they die, be neither lamented or buried; dung upon the field shall they become; and by sword and by famine shall they be consumed, and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of the heavens and the beasts of the field. Jer 16:5. For thus hath Jahveh said: Come not into the house of mourning, and go not to lament, and bemoan them not; for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith Jahveh, grace and mercies. Jer 16:6. And great and small shall die in this land, not be buried; they shall not lament them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them. Jer 16:7. And they shall not break bread for them in their mourning, to comfort one for the dead; nor shall they give to any the cup of comfort for his father and his mother. Jer 16:8. And into the house of feasting go not, to sit by them, to eat and to drink. Jer 16:9. For thus hath spoken Jahveh of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I cause to cease out of this place before your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride." What the prophet is here bidden to do and to forbear is closely bound up with the proclamation enjoined on him of judgment to come on sinful Judah. This connection is brought prominently forward in the reasons given for these commands.…
Open source ↗The prophet is here for a sign to the people. They would not regard what he said; let it be tried whether they will regard what he does. In general, he must conduct himself so, in every thing, as became one that expected to see his country in ruins very shortly. This he foretold, but few regarded the prediction; therefore he is to show that he is himself fully satisfied in the truth of it. Others go on in their usual course, but he, in the prospect of these sad times, is forbidden and therefore forbears marriage, mourning for the dead, and mirth. Note, Those that would convince others of and affect them with the word of God must make it appear, even in the most self-denying instances, that they do believe it themselves and are affected with it. If we would rouse others out of their security, and persuade them to sit loose to the world, we must ourselves be mortified to present things and show that we expect the dissolution of them. I. Jeremiah must not marry, nor think of having a family and being a housekeeper (Jer 16:2): Thou shalt not take thee a wife, nor think of having sons and daughters in this place, not in the land of Judah, not in Jerusalem, not in Anathoth. The Jews, more than any people, valued themselves on their early marriages and their numerous offspring. But Jeremiah must live a bachelor, not so much in honour of virginity as in diminution of it. By this it appears that it was advisable and seasonable only in calamitous times, and times of present distress, Co1 7:26. That it is so is a part of the calamity. There may be a time when it will be said, Blessed is the womb that bears not, Luk 23:29. When we see such times at hand it is wisdom for all, especially for prophets, to keep themselves as much as may be from being entangled with the affairs of this…
Open source ↗16:1-18 Jeremiah’s life was to be a sign or a parable (see “Prophetic Sign Acts” Theme Note), as the Lord instructed him not to marry (Jer 16:1-4) and not to go to funerals (16:5-7) or celebrations (16:8-9). 16:1-2 In Hebrew society, bachelors were rare and males were expected to get married in their early twenties. However, the severe crisis of the time apparently required Jeremiah to be a divine messenger without family obligations. He needed to depend entirely on the Lord (cp. 1 Cor 7:26-35).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יִלּוֹד (yillôwd, H3209) — born אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill תַּחֲלוּא (tachălûwʼ, H8463) — a malady מָמוֹת (mâmôwth, H4463) — a mortal disease; concretely, a corpse סָפַד (çâphad, H5594) — properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to… קָבַר (qâbar, H6912) — to inter דֹּמֶן (dômen, H1828) — manure פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) נְבֵלָה (nᵉbêlâh, H5038) — a flabby thing, i.e. a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively);… מַאֲכָל (maʼăkâl, H3978) — an eatable (includ. provender, flesh and fruit) עוֹף (ʻôwph, H5775) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מַרְזֵחַ (marzêach, H4798) — a cry, i.e. (of grief) a lamentation יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) סָפַד (çâphad, H5594) — properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to… נוּד (nûwd, H5110) — to nod, i.e. waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… רַחַם (racham, H7356) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by…
Open source ↗גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) קָבַר (qâbar, H6912) — to inter סָפַד (çâphad, H5594) — properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to… גָּדַד (gâdad, H1413) — to crowd; also to gash (as if by pressing into) קָרַח (qârach, H7139) — to depilate
Open source ↗פָּרַס (pâraç, H6536) — to break in pieces, i.e. (usually without violence) to split, distribute אֵבֶל (ʼêbel, H60) — lamentation נָחַם (nâcham, H5162) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill כּוֹס (kôwç, H3563) — a cup (as a container), often figuratively, a lot (as if a potion); also some unclean… תַּנְחוּם (tanchûwm, H8575) — compassion, solace שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, H4960) — drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally)… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative,… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound שָׂשׂוֹן (sâsôwn, H8342) — cheerfulness; specifically, welcome שִׂמְחָה (simchâh, H8057) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival) חָתָן (châthân, H2860) — a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child… כַּלָּה (kallâh, H3618) — a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application הִנֵּה (hinnêh, H2009) — lo! הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… שְׁרִירוּת (shᵉrîyrûwth, H8307) — obstinacy רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,…
Open source ↗טוּל (ṭûwl, H2904) — to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יוֹמָם (yôwmâm, H3119) — daily לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חֲנִינָה (chănîynâh, H2594) — graciousness
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗Cross-references
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