King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 16:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 16:5 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them: for I have taken aw... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 16:5 · KJV


Context

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:

7

Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother. tear: or, break bread for them


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Further prohibitions: '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 is forbidden to participate in mourning rituals. The reason: God has withdrawn 'peace,' 'lovingkindness,' and 'mercies.' These three terms (shalom, chesed, rachamim) represent covenant blessings now forfeited. When God removes these, normal social consolations become meaningless. Jeremiah's absence from mourning rituals symbolized God's absence—no divine comfort remained. This sign-act demonstrated the theological reality: judgment means covenant blessing withdrawal.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Mourning rituals were central to ancient Near Eastern social life. Jeremiah's absence from these gatherings would have been shocking and would have prompted questions about God's relationship to Judah.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's withdrawal of peace, lovingkindness, and mercy look like practically?
  2. How do prophetic abstentions communicate truth about God's relationship to His people?
  3. What role do covenant blessings play in making normal life meaningful and bearable?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
כִּֽי1 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֣ה׀2 of 27
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר3 of 27

For thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 27

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אַל5 of 27
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּבוֹא֙6 of 27

Enter

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בֵּ֣ית7 of 27

not into the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מַרְזֵ֔חַ8 of 27

of mourning

H4798

a cry, i.e., (of grief) a lamentation

וְאַל9 of 27
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֵּלֵ֣ךְ10 of 27
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לִסְפּ֔וֹד11 of 27

to lament

H5594

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

וְאַל12 of 27
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּנֹ֖ד13 of 27

nor bemoan

H5110

to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea

לָהֶ֑ם14 of 27
H0
כִּֽי15 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָסַ֨פְתִּי16 of 27

them for I have taken away

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֶת17 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁלוֹמִ֜י18 of 27

my peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

מֵאֵ֨ת19 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעָ֤ם20 of 27

from this people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּה֙21 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

נְאֻם22 of 27

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה23 of 27

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת24 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַחֶ֖סֶד25 of 27

even lovingkindness

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וְאֶת26 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָֽרַחֲמִֽים׃27 of 27

and mercies

H7356

compassion (in the plural)


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 16:5 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 16:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study