King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 16:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 16:9 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and i...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in 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.”

Jeremiah 16:9 · KJV

Context

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

8

Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.

9

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in 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.

10

And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?

11

Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;

Read Jeremiah 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The theological reason given: 'For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in 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.' The comprehensive silencing of joy ('mirth,' 'gladness,' wedding celebrations) will occur 'in your eyes' (they will witness it) and 'in your days' (during their lifetime). Wedding imagery particularly symbolizes hope and new beginnings—its cessation indicates hopelessness. The four voices (mirth, gladness, bridegroom, bride) represent the full spectrum of human joy. God will 'cause to cease' all of them, demonstrating His sovereign control over human experience. Judgment means joy's death.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Babylonian exile resulted in Jerusalem's depopulation and Judah's desolation. For 70 years, the sounds of celebration were absent from the land, fulfilling this prophecy literally.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the silencing of weddings symbolize about judgment's effect on hope and future?
  2. How does God's causation of joy's cessation demonstrate His sovereignty over human experience?
  3. What role does awareness of joy's fragility play in proper fear of the Lord?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כִּי֩1 of 22
H3588

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

כֹ֨ה2 of 22
H3541

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

אָמַ֜ר3 of 22

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֤ה4 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאוֹת֙5 of 22

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י6 of 22

“the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל7 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הִנְנִ֨י8 of 22
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מַשְׁבִּ֜ית9 of 22

“Behold I will cause to cease”

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

מִן10 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמָּק֥וֹם11 of 22

“out of this place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּ֛ה12 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְעֵינֵיכֶ֖ם13 of 22

“in your eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וּבִֽימֵיכֶ֑ם14 of 22

“and in your days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וְק֥וֹל15 of 22

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

שָׂשׂוֹן֙16 of 22

“of mirth”

H8342

cheerfulness; specifically, welcome

וְק֥וֹל17 of 22

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

שִׂמְחָ֔ה18 of 22

“of gladness”

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

וְק֥וֹל19 of 22

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

חָתָ֖ן20 of 22

“of the bridegroom”

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

וְק֥וֹל21 of 22

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

כַּלָּֽה׃22 of 22

“of the bride”

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

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 16:9 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 16:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 25:10Ezekiel 26:13Jeremiah 7:34Hosea 2:11Isaiah 24:7-12Revelation 18:22-23

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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