King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 16:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 16:4 in the King James Version says “They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung u... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Jeremiah 16:4 · KJV


Context

2

Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place.

3

For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land;

4

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

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. mourning: or, mourning feast

6

Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The horrific fate described: 'They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth.' Multiple horrors: grievous deaths, no mourning, no burial, bodies left as refuse ('dung'). Continued: 'and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.' The triad (sword, famine, pestilence) plus exposure to scavengers represents total curse (Deuteronomy 28:26). This explains why Jeremiah shouldn't have children—such fates await the coming generation. The comprehensive nature of judgment makes normal life impossible.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

These specific horrors were fulfilled during and after the Babylonian siege when countless died, burial was impossible, and bodies were left for scavengers in Jerusalem's streets and surrounding areas.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does detailed description of coming judgment serve prophetic purposes?
  2. What does denial of burial and mourning symbolize about the completeness of covenant curse?
  3. How should graphic depictions of judgment affect our understanding of sin's seriousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
מְמוֹתֵ֨י1 of 22

deaths

H4463

a mortal disease; concretely, a corpse

תַחֲלֻאִ֜ים2 of 22

of grievous

H8463

a malady

יָמֻ֗תוּ3 of 22

They shall die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

לֹ֤א4 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִסָּֽפְדוּ֙5 of 22

they shall not be lamented

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

וְלֹ֣א6 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִקָּבֵ֔רוּ7 of 22

neither shall they be buried

H6912

to inter

לְדֹ֛מֶן8 of 22

but they shall be as dung

H1828

manure

עַל9 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י10 of 22

upon the face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָאֲדָמָ֖ה11 of 22

of the earth

H127

soil (from its general redness)

יִֽהְי֑וּ12 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וּבַחֶ֤רֶב13 of 22

by the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וּבָֽרָעָב֙14 of 22

and by famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

יִכְל֔וּ15 of 22

and they shall be consumed

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

וְהָיְתָ֤ה16 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נִבְלָתָם֙17 of 22

and their carcases

H5038

a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol

לְמַאֲכָ֔ל18 of 22

shall be meat

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

לְע֥וֹף19 of 22

for the fowls

H5775

a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם20 of 22

of heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וּלְבֶהֱמַ֥ת21 of 22

and for the beasts

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃22 of 22

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 16:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 16:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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