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Jeremiah 16:3

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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;

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} concerning the sons {H1121} and concerning the daughters {H1323} that are born {H3205} in this place {H4725}, and concerning their mothers {H517} that bare {H3205} them, and concerning their fathers {H1} that begat {H3209} them in this land {H776};

For this is what ADONAI says concerning the sons and daughters born here, as well as their mothers who gave birth to them and their fathers who conceived them in this land:

For this is what the LORD says concerning the sons and daughters born in this place, and the mothers who bore them, and the fathers who fathered them in this land:

For thus saith Jehovah 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:

Commentary

Jeremiah 16:3 (KJV) serves as a solemn introduction to a series of divine pronouncements concerning the impending judgment upon the people of Judah. This verse specifically highlights the tragic fate awaiting the families—the children, mothers, and fathers—in the land due to their persistent rebellion against God.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah ministered in a turbulent period leading up to the Babylonian exile (late 7th and early 6th centuries BC). His message was largely one of impending doom due to Judah's widespread idolatry, moral corruption, and rejection of God's covenant. Chapter 16 specifically outlines God's command to Jeremiah to refrain from marriage and mourning, serving as a prophetic sign of the extreme desolation to come. Verse 3 sets the stage by identifying the primary subjects of this judgment: the entire family unit, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the coming disaster.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" immediately establishes God's absolute authority and the certainty of His declared judgment. This is not a human prediction but a divine decree.
  • Generational Consequences: The verse explicitly mentions "sons and daughters," "mothers," and "fathers," underscoring that the consequences of national sin would affect every generation. This highlights the severe impact of a society turning away from God, where the innocent (children) also suffer the fallout of their parents' choices, as seen in Exodus 34:7.
  • Impending Desolation: By focusing on those "born in this place" and "begat them in this land," the verse subtly points to the coming removal from the land, a central theme of Jeremiah's prophecies. The subsequent verses in Jeremiah 16:4-9 elaborate on the horrific details of this desolation, including death by grievous diseases, famine, and the sword.

Linguistic Insights

The opening phrase, "Thus saith the LORD," is a common prophetic formula in the Old Testament (Hebrew: koh amar Yahweh). It signifies a direct, authoritative word from God Himself, not merely the prophet's opinion or human wisdom. This phrase lends immense weight and infallibility to the pronouncements that follow, emphasizing that the judgment to come is not arbitrary but divinely ordained due to Judah's unfaithfulness. It echoes God's direct communication, as seen in Jeremiah's own commissioning.

Practical Application

While Jeremiah 16:3 describes a specific historical judgment, its principles offer timeless lessons:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: God takes sin seriously, and there are real, often far-reaching, consequences for disobedience, not just for individuals but for communities and future generations.
  • Intergenerational Impact: Our choices, particularly those related to spiritual faithfulness, have a profound impact on our children and the legacy we leave. It reminds us of the importance of living righteously and teaching our children the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:7).
  • God's Justice: This verse, though somber, underscores God's justice. While He is merciful, He is also righteous and will not allow sin to go unpunished indefinitely. It serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the need to turn to God for mercy and forgiveness.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 16:5 (2 votes)

    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 6:21 (2 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.

  • Jeremiah 16:9 (2 votes)

    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.