Jeremiah 16:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Enter {H935} not into the house {H1004} of mourning {H4798}, neither go {H3212} to lament {H5594} nor bemoan {H5110} them: for I have taken away {H622} my peace {H7965} from this people {H5971}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, even lovingkindness {H2617} and mercies {H7356}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"For here is what ADONAI says: 'Do not enter any house where there is mourning; don't lament them, and don't grieve for them; for I have removed my shalom from this people, as well as my grace and compassion,' says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal. Do not go to mourn or show sympathy, for I have removed from this people My peace, My loving devotion, and My compassion,” declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

For thus saith Jehovah, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament, neither bemoan them; for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith Jehovah, even lovingkindness and tender mercies.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 16:5 delivers a stark divine command to the prophet, forbidding him from participating in the customary rites of mourning for the dead. This prohibition is not arbitrary but serves as a potent prophetic sign, symbolizing the profound and overwhelming judgment God is about to unleash upon Judah. The verse reveals that the Lord has withdrawn His peace, steadfast love, and tender mercies from His people, indicating a complete rupture of the covenant relationship due to their persistent idolatry and rebellion, leading to an era of unprecedented sorrow and desolation where traditional expressions of grief will become meaningless or impossible.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 16 initiates a series of deeply personal and symbolic prohibitions placed upon the prophet, transforming his very life into a living parable of God's impending judgment on Judah. Prior to this verse, Jeremiah is forbidden from marriage and having children ([Jeremiah 16:2](/jeremiah/16-2 "Jeremiah 16:2 - Jeremiah Forbidden to Marry")), signifying that the coming catastrophe will render family lines and future generations meaningless. He is also prohibited from attending feasts and celebrations ([Jeremiah 16:8](/jeremiah/16-8 "Jeremiah 16:8 - Jeremiah Forbidden to Feast")), indicating the cessation of joy and communal fellowship. In [Jeremiah 16:5](/jeremiah/16-5 "Jeremiah 16:5 - Jeremiah Forbidden to Mourn"), the command to avoid the "house of mourning" and refrain from lamenting the dead completes this triad of prohibitions, powerfully illustrating that the scale of death and destruction will be so vast that conventional mourning rituals will be overwhelmed or rendered irrelevant. These acts collectively underscore the severity of God's wrath and the complete disruption of normal life in Judah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, mourning rites were deeply ingrained cultural and religious practices, involving specific rituals such as tearing clothes, wearing sackcloth, wailing, fasting, and gathering in the "house of mourning" (a designated home or space for grieving). Professional mourners were often hired to lead lamentations, and communal feasting (a "mourning meal") was common to provide comfort and sustenance to the bereaved. These practices were not merely social customs but expressions of communal solidarity and theological acknowledgment of death's gravity. The prohibition in [Jeremiah 16:5](/jeremiah/16-5 "Jeremiah 16:5 - Jeremiah Forbidden to Mourn") directly challenges these deeply held norms. Historically, Judah was steeped in idolatry, having repeatedly turned away from the Lord to worship foreign gods, despite numerous warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. This persistent rebellion, particularly during the reigns of kings like Manasseh and Jehoiakim, led to a spiritual and moral decay that provoked God's judgment, culminating in the Babylonian exile. The command to Jeremiah signifies that the impending desolation will be so widespread and severe that the usual expressions of grief will be futile, as there will be too many dead to mourn, or the survivors will be too broken to perform the rites.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Prophetic Sign of Judgment**, where the prophet's personal life becomes a living sermon, embodying the dire message of divine wrath. Jeremiah's inability to mourn mirrors the future state of Judah, where overwhelming death will make traditional lamentation impossible or meaningless. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Withdrawal of God's Covenant Blessings**. The declaration, "I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, even lovingkindness and mercies," signifies a profound rupture in the covenant relationship. God's "peace" (shalom), "lovingkindness" (hesed), and "mercies" (rachamim) are foundational attributes of His covenant faithfulness, and their withdrawal signals the dire consequences of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. This theme is echoed throughout the book, as seen in [Jeremiah 5:25](/jeremiah/5-25 "Jeremiah 5:25 - Consequences of Sin") where their sins have "kept good from you." Finally, it underscores the **Consequences of Persistent Sin and Rebellion**. The severity of the judgment—the loss of peace, steadfast love, and compassion—is directly attributed to the people's deep-seated idolatry and disobedience. This serves as a stark reminder that divine judgment is a just response to unrepentant sin, leading to a period of unprecedented suffering and instability for Judah, as foretold in passages like [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mourning (Hebrew, _marzêach'_):** This term refers to a "cry" or "lamentation," specifically a "mourning" gathering or feast. It denotes a communal assembly for grieving, often accompanied by ritualistic wailing and feasting. The word carries a connotation of a loud, public expression of sorrow. By forbidding Jeremiah to enter the "house of mourning" (bayith marzêach), the Lord is prohibiting his participation in these customary, communal expressions of grief, signaling that the scale of future death will render such rituals obsolete or impossible.
* **Peace (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** Far more than just the absence of conflict, _shalom_ encompasses a holistic state of well-being, prosperity, health, security, and harmony—both individually and communally, and most importantly, in relationship with God. When God declares He has "taken away" His _shalom_, it signifies a complete breakdown of societal order, personal security, and spiritual contentment. It implies the removal of divine favor, protection, and the flourishing that comes from His presence, leading to chaos and distress.
* **Lovingkindness (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** This rich theological term denotes God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, and unfailing grace. It describes a deep, committed, and enduring devotion, often translated as "mercy" or "goodness." Its withdrawal is profoundly significant, as _hesed_ is a foundational attribute of God's character and the bedrock of His covenant relationship with Israel. The removal of _hesed_ signifies the breaking of the covenant, not by God's infidelity, but by Israel's persistent rebellion, leaving them exposed to the full consequences of their actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them":** This is a direct, imperative command from God to Jeremiah. The "house of mourning" (Hebrew: _bayith marzêach_) refers to the place where funeral rites and communal grieving took place. The verbs "lament" (Hebrew: _çâphad_, to tear hair and beat breasts) and "bemoan" (Hebrew: _nûwd_, to nod in sympathy or sorrow, to wail) describe the physical and emotional expressions of grief. Jeremiah is explicitly forbidden from participating in these deeply ingrained social and religious customs, turning his personal conduct into a living prophecy of the unprecedented desolation to come.
* **"for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, even lovingkindness and mercies":** This clause provides the divine rationale for the preceding prohibition. God explicitly states His active withdrawal of three crucial aspects of His relationship with Israel: "peace" (_shalom_), "lovingkindness" (_hesed_), and "mercies" (_racham_). This withdrawal is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of the people's rebellion and idolatry. The repetition "saith the LORD" underscores the divine authority and certainty of this declaration. The absence of these divine attributes signifies a state of complete spiritual and national abandonment, where the people will experience the full weight of judgment without God's sustaining grace or compassion.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 16:5 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Prophetic Act** or **Symbolic Action**, where Jeremiah's personal life and obedience to God's unusual commands become a living parable for the people. His prohibition from mourning is not merely a verbal message but a tangible, visible sign of the overwhelming and widespread death that will soon befall Judah, making traditional mourning rites futile. This act serves as a **Foreshadowing**, painting a grim picture of a future so desolate that customary expressions of grief will be rendered meaningless. The verse also uses **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** when referring to "the house of mourning," where the "house" stands for the entire communal practice and ritual of grieving. Furthermore, the declaration "I have taken away my peace... lovingkindness and mercies" is a stark example of **Divine Anthropomorphism**, attributing human actions (taking away) and emotions (withdrawal of peace/love) to God to make His judgment comprehensible. The cumulative effect of these withdrawn blessings creates a powerful sense of **Pathos**, evoking pity for a people who have lost the very attributes that sustained their covenant relationship with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 16:5 is a profound statement about the gravity of persistent sin and the reality of divine judgment. It underscores that God's covenant relationship is conditional upon faithfulness, and while His love is steadfast, His justice demands a response to unrepentant rebellion. The withdrawal of "peace," "lovingkindness," and "mercies" signifies a period of divine abandonment, not because God is capricious, but because His people have repeatedly rejected His grace and turned to idolatry. This verse serves as a stark reminder that true peace and well-being are found only in an obedient relationship with God, and their forfeiture leads to profound spiritual and societal brokenness. It highlights the principle that actions have consequences, and a nation's spiritual health directly impacts its temporal prosperity and security.

* [Hosea 5:6](/hosea/5-6 "Hosea 5:6 - God's Withdrawal")
* [Lamentations 2:21](/lamentations/2-21 "Lamentations 2:21 - Desolation and Lack of Mourning")
* [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God Gives Them Up")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 16:5 serves as a sobering reminder that God is holy and just, and persistent rebellion against His commands has severe consequences. While believers today live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, this verse illuminates timeless truths about the nature of sin, judgment, and God's character. It challenges us to consider the immense value of God's presence, His peace, His steadfast love, and His tender mercies in our lives. When we take these blessings for granted or actively rebel against Him, we risk forfeiting the very source of our well-being and spiritual flourishing. This passage calls us to a deeper appreciation for God's grace and a renewed commitment to faithful obedience, recognizing that true peace and security are found only in Him. It also prompts us to lament the spiritual condition of our world and to pray for repentance, understanding that the absence of God's presence leads to profound brokenness and despair.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the withdrawal of God's "peace, lovingkindness, and mercies" reveal about the seriousness of sin in God's eyes?**
* **How might Jeremiah's personal sacrifice (being forbidden to mourn) challenge our own understanding of what it means to be a witness for God in difficult times?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or communally, take God's blessings for granted, and what steps can we take to cultivate a deeper appreciation for His presence and grace?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jeremiah forbidden from mourning, and what did it symbolize?**

Answer: Jeremiah was forbidden from participating in customary mourning rites as a powerful prophetic sign. This unusual command symbolized the overwhelming and unprecedented nature of the judgment God was about to bring upon Judah. The scale of death and destruction would be so immense that traditional lamentations and communal grieving would become futile or impossible. It signified that the normal rhythms of life, including the sacred rituals surrounding death, would be completely disrupted. It was a visible, tangible demonstration of God's profound displeasure and the dire consequences of Judah's persistent idolatry and rebellion, indicating that the people would be left without comfort or the usual expressions of communal support in their widespread suffering. This act underscored the severity of God's withdrawal of His "peace, lovingkindness, and mercies" from His unrepentant people, as stated in [Jeremiah 16:5](/jeremiah/16-5 "Jeremiah 16:5 - Jeremiah Forbidden to Mourn").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 16:5 speaks of God's withdrawal of peace and mercy due to Israel's sin, the New Testament reveals the ultimate solution to humanity's brokenness and separation from God through Jesus Christ. The very "peace" (_shalom_) that was taken away from rebellious Judah is now fully and eternally offered to all who believe in Christ. [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith") declares, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Christ Himself is our peace, breaking down the wall of hostility that separated humanity from God ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). Furthermore, the "lovingkindness" (_hesed_) and "mercies" (_racham_) that Judah forfeited are poured out in abundance through Christ's atoning sacrifice. God's steadfast love is perfectly demonstrated at the cross ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")), and His tender mercies are made new every morning through the resurrected Christ ([Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Mercies are New")). The mourning that Jeremiah was forbidden to engage in, symbolizing a hopeless future, is transformed in Christ into a blessed sorrow that leads to comfort and eternal hope ([Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are Those Who Mourn")). In Christ, God does not withdraw His peace or mercy but extends them freely, offering reconciliation and eternal life to a broken world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 24:16

Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.

Ezekiel 24:23

And your tires [shall be] upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.

Isaiah 27:11

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Deuteronomy 31:17

Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God [is] not among us?

Jeremiah 15:1

¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

Jeremiah 15:4

And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for [that] which he did in Jerusalem.

Revelation 6:4

And there went out another horse [that was] red: and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.