Jeremiah 16:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither shall men tear {H6536} themselves for them in mourning {H60}, to comfort {H5162} them for the dead {H4191}; neither shall men give them the cup {H3563} of consolation {H8575} to drink {H8248} for their father {H1} or for their mother {H517}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No one will prepare a meal for those in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; and no one will give them a cup to drink, to console them for their father or mother.'

Berean Standard Bible

No food will be offered to comfort those who mourn the dead; not even a cup of consolation will be given for the loss of a father or mother.

American Standard Version

neither shall men break bread 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 16:7 issues a stark prophetic decree of divine judgment upon Judah, foretelling a future so utterly desolate that the most fundamental human customs of mourning and communal comfort for the bereaved would completely cease. This verse powerfully underscores the extreme severity of God's impending wrath, revealing a society stripped of its compassionate bonds and left in profound isolation as a direct consequence of its persistent idolatry and rebellion against the covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 16:7 is strategically positioned within a broader prophetic declaration of judgment against Judah, spanning [Jeremiah 16:1-18](/jeremiah/16 "Jeremiah 16 - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration"). The preceding verses, particularly [Jeremiah 16:5-6](/jeremiah/16-5 "Jeremiah 16:5-6 - Prohibition of Mourning Rites"), establish the context by explicitly prohibiting Jeremiah himself from participating in traditional mourning rites, serving as a symbolic foreshadowing of the nation's fate. This divine prohibition extends to other normal life events like marriage and feasting ([Jeremiah 16:1-4](/jeremiah/16-1-4 "Jeremiah 16:1-4 - Jeremiah's Personal Restrictions and the Coming Desolation")), painting a grim picture of a society where the natural rhythms of life—both sorrow and joy—are utterly disrupted by God's judgment. Verse 7 specifically elaborates on the complete absence of communal support for mourners, emphasizing the profound depth of isolation and despair that will engulf the survivors. The subsequent verses ([Jeremiah 16:8-9](/jeremiah/16-8-9 "Jeremiah 16:8-9 - Cessation of Feasting and Joy")) further detail the removal of joy and celebration, reinforcing the pervasive nature of the coming desolation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, and particularly among the Israelites, mourning for the dead was a deeply significant social, religious, and familial obligation. Rituals commonly included rending garments (a public display of intense grief), wailing, fasting, and abstaining from certain activities, as evidenced in various biblical accounts such as [2 Samuel 1:11-12](/2_samuel/1-11-12 "2 Samuel 1:11-12 - David's Mourning for Saul and Jonathan"). A crucial aspect of these customs was the communal support offered to the bereaved, often involving the provision of food and drink to sustain them during their grief. The "cup of consolation" (Hebrew: *kos tanḥumim*) was a specific, tangible custom, providing physical sustenance and emotional comfort to mourners, symbolizing the community's solidarity and compassion. The prophecy in [Jeremiah 16](/jeremiah/16 "Jeremiah 16 - Prophecies of Judgment") foretells a time when the sheer scale of death and destruction, primarily due to the impending Babylonian invasion and exile, would be so overwhelming that these deeply ingrained customs would become impossible or irrelevant. Survivors would be too consumed by their own suffering and the sheer number of the dead to offer comfort to others, reflecting a catastrophic societal collapse.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 16:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **severity of divine judgment** against Judah for their persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and moral corruption, as detailed throughout [Jeremiah](/jeremiah "The Book of Jeremiah"). The cessation of mourning rites signifies that the scale of death and suffering would be so immense that normal societal functions, including comforting the bereaved, would simply cease, highlighting the **breakdown of social order and communal bonds**. Secondly, it emphasizes the **consequences of disobedience**, serving as a stark warning that turning away from God leads to profound desolation and the removal of His blessings, including the comfort found in human fellowship. This judgment is a direct result of Judah's refusal to heed God's warnings, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 7:23-24](/jeremiah/7-23-24 "Jeremiah 7:23-24 - Disobedience and Hardened Hearts"). Finally, by prophesying the complete absence of human compassion and community, the verse subtly underscores the **value of these virtues** in a healthy society and in the life of faith, presenting their removal as a severe aspect of divine punishment, contrasting sharply with God's own compassionate nature ([Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Steadfast Love")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **tear (Hebrew, _pâraç'_):** From H6536, meaning "to break in pieces, i.e., (usually without violence) to split, distribute; deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear." In this context, it specifically refers to the rending or tearing of garments, a deeply ingrained ancient Near Eastern practice to express profound grief, distress, or shock. The prophetic absence of this act signifies a societal breakdown so severe that even the public, ritualized display of sorrow is neglected or overwhelmed, indicating an unprecedented level of national trauma.
* **mourning (Hebrew, _ʼêbel'_):** From H60, meaning "lamentation; mourning." This term encapsulates the entire complex of rituals, customs, and emotional expressions associated with grieving the dead in ancient Israel. It involved a period of intense sorrow, often accompanied by specific actions like wailing, fasting, and abstaining from normal activities. Its prophesied absence in Jeremiah 16:7 indicates a complete disruption of customary funeral rites and the communal process of lamentation, pointing to an overwhelming national catastrophe where the sheer scale of death makes traditional mourning impossible or irrelevant.
* **cup (Hebrew, _kôwç'_):** From H3563, meaning "a cup (as a container), often figuratively, a lot (as if a potion)." Here, the cup is a literal vessel that carries immense symbolic weight within the phrase "cup of consolation." In this context, it represents the sustenance, comfort, and solidarity offered to mourners by their community. Its denial signifies the withholding of all forms of practical and emotional support, leaving the bereaved utterly isolated and without solace in their grief. The "cup of consolation" (Hebrew: *kos tanḥumim*, where *tanḥûm* from H8575 means "compassion, solace; comfort, consolation") was a vital expression of communal care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither shall [men] tear [themselves] for them in mourning":** This clause prophesies the cessation of traditional mourning rituals, specifically the rending of garments, which was a deeply ingrained and visible expression of profound grief in ancient Israel. The implication is that the scale of death would be so vast, or the survivors so overwhelmed by their own suffering and the sheer number of the dead, that the customary acts of lamentation would be abandoned. This signifies an unprecedented level of national distress and a profound breakdown of societal norms and emotional outlets.
* **"to comfort them for the dead":** This phrase clarifies the purpose of the actions described in the preceding clause: to provide solace, empathy, and support to those grieving. The absence of "tearing themselves" (i.e., public displays of mourning and sympathy) means that the bereaved would receive no comfort or communal acknowledgment of their sorrow, leaving them isolated and unassisted in their grief.
* **"neither shall [men] give them the cup of consolation to drink":** This clause introduces another crucial aspect of communal mourning that would be denied. The "cup of consolation" refers to the customary offering of food and drink to mourners, intended to sustain and comfort them after a funeral or during the period of intense grief. Its absence symbolizes the complete withdrawal of practical and emotional support, highlighting the extreme desolation and lack of compassion that would characterize the impending judgment.
* **"for their father or for their mother":** This final phrase specifies the profound personal impact of this judgment. The denial of comfort and the cup of consolation would apply even in the most intimate, foundational, and sacred relationships—the loss of parents. This emphasizes the depth of the societal collapse, where even the most fundamental family bonds would be left without traditional communal support in times of ultimate grief, underscoring the universal and devastating reach of God's judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 16:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark and devastating message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the absolute and sweeping denial of mourning rites and comfort. It's not merely a reduction in communal support, but its complete cessation, emphasizing the unprecedented and overwhelming nature of the coming judgment—a catastrophe of unimaginable scale. The "cup of consolation" functions as a potent **symbol** and **metonymy**, where the physical object (the cup with its contents) stands for the entire custom of communal support, sustenance, and emotional solace offered to the bereaved. Its absence thus symbolizes the complete breakdown of social cohesion, human compassion, and the very fabric of society. The verse also utilizes **negative parallelism** ("Neither shall... neither shall...") to underscore the dual denial of expressive grief and practical comfort. This repetition amplifies the sense of utter hopelessness, isolation, and the comprehensive nature of the impending desolation that will befall Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 16:7 serves as a profound theological statement on the severe consequences of covenant infidelity and the righteous nature of divine judgment. It reveals that God's judgment is not solely punitive but often involves the withdrawal of blessings, including the fundamental human comforts and social structures that provide support in times of sorrow. The inability to mourn or receive comfort for the dead underscores the depth of spiritual and social decay that results from widespread sin and rebellion against God. It highlights how sin not only breaks the vertical relationship with God but also fractures horizontal human relationships, leading to profound isolation and despair. This passage implicitly affirms the divine design for community and mutual support, as its absence is presented as a severe aspect of judgment, a stark reminder that true flourishing is found in obedience and faithfulness to God.

* [Lamentations 2:10](/lamentations/2-10 "Lamentations 2:10 - The Desolation of Jerusalem and Silence of Elders")
* [Ezekiel 24:16-17](/ezekiel/24-16-17 "Ezekiel 24:16-17 - Ezekiel's Wife Dies as a Sign")
* [Isaiah 22:12-14](/isaiah/22-12-14 "Isaiah 22:12-14 - Call to Mourning Rejected and Judgment Declared")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 16:7, though a prophecy of severe judgment, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a sober reminder that persistent rebellion against God's ways leads to dire consequences, not only spiritually but also in the breakdown of human community and comfort. While we live under the new covenant of grace, the principle remains that sin has destructive power, often isolating us from God and from one another. This verse implicitly highlights the immense value of compassion, empathy, and communal support, especially in times of grief. It challenges us to be present for those who mourn, to offer the "cup of consolation" in its various forms—whether through a listening ear, practical help, a comforting presence, or the solace of God's Word. In a world often marked by profound loss, loneliness, and fragmented relationships, the church is called to be a counter-cultural community, reflecting God's own compassionate nature by actively extending comfort and building supportive bonds, ensuring that no one grieves utterly alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the absence of mourning and comfort in Jeremiah 16:7 highlight the severity of sin's consequences in a community?**
* **In what practical ways can we, as believers, offer a "cup of consolation" to those who are grieving or suffering in our own communities today, especially when society might fail to do so?**
* **How does this passage encourage us to value and cultivate strong, supportive, and compassionate relationships within the body of Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why is the absence of mourning rites so significant in this prophecy?**

Answer: The cessation of mourning rites in Jeremiah 16:7 is profoundly significant because it symbolizes a complete societal breakdown and an unprecedented level of suffering. In ancient Israel, mourning was a deeply ingrained social and religious custom, essential for processing grief, demonstrating communal solidarity, and honoring the deceased. Its absence means that the scale of death would be so overwhelming, or the survivors so consumed by their own despair and the sheer number of casualties, that the normal, healthy expressions of grief and the communal support system would cease to function. This paints a picture of utter desolation, where even the most basic human needs for comfort and acknowledgment of loss are denied, highlighting the extreme nature of God's judgment upon a rebellious people. The prophet Ezekiel experiences a similar prohibition on mourning the death of his wife in [Ezekiel 24:16-17](/ezekiel/24-16-17 "Ezekiel 24:16-17 - Ezekiel's Wife Dies as a Sign"), serving as a powerful sign of the coming judgment on Jerusalem.

**What exactly was the "cup of consolation" in ancient Israelite culture?**

Answer: The "cup of consolation" (Hebrew: *kos tanḥumim*) was a customary practice in ancient Israel and the broader Near East where friends, family, and community members would provide food and drink to mourners, especially after the funeral or during the intense period of grief. This act was not merely about physical sustenance but served as a powerful symbol of communal empathy, solidarity, and comfort. It was a tangible expression of support, helping to sustain the grieving family both physically and emotionally during their time of profound loss. Its denial in Jeremiah 16:7 signifies the complete withdrawal of this vital communal support, leaving the bereaved utterly isolated and without solace, underscoring the severity of the impending judgment and the breakdown of social bonds. This practice is rooted in the communal nature of ancient society, where individuals were deeply interconnected.

**Does this prophecy mean God is uncompassionate, or that comfort is always withheld in judgment?**

Answer: This prophecy does not imply that God is inherently uncompassionate, but rather that His judgment, when provoked by persistent sin and rebellion, can involve the withdrawal of blessings and even the means of human comfort. The severity of the judgment in [Jeremiah 16](/jeremiah/16 "Jeremiah 16 - Prophecies of Judgment") is a direct consequence of Judah's deep-seated idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, as God had repeatedly warned them and called them to repentance ([Jeremiah 7:1-7](/jeremiah/7-1-7 "Jeremiah 7:1-7 - Jeremiah's Temple Sermon")). While God is indeed "a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" ([Exodus 34:6](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6 - The Lord's Self-Revelation")), He is also righteous and just, and His holiness demands a response to sin. The withholding of comfort here is a prophetic sign of the extreme desolation that would befall the nation, serving as a dire warning and a demonstration of the ultimate consequences of turning away from Him. It highlights that true and lasting comfort ultimately comes from God Himself, and when a people forsakes Him, even human avenues of solace can be removed, emphasizing the profound spiritual emptiness that results from rejecting the divine source of all comfort.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 16:7 paints a bleak picture of comfort withheld and mourning denied due to sin, it ultimately points to the profound and enduring comfort found in Christ. The "cup of consolation" that Judah would be denied foreshadows a different "cup" that Jesus Himself would drink – the cup of God's righteous wrath against sin, as He prayed in Gethsemane, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). By drinking this cup of judgment on the cross, Jesus became the ultimate source of true consolation, offering eternal comfort and reconciliation to all who believe. Where human comfort failed and was withdrawn due to sin, Christ provides an inexhaustible wellspring of peace and solace. He is the "God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" ([2 Corinthians 1:3-4](/2_corinthians/1-3-4 "2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - God of All Comfort")). Through His sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus ensures that those who mourn in Him "shall be comforted" ([Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed Are Those Who Mourn")), transforming sorrow into hope. The desolation prophesied in Jeremiah is overcome by the abundant grace and life found in the resurrected Christ, who promises never to leave or forsake His people ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God's Promise of Presence")), offering a comfort that transcends all earthly sorrow and loss, a comfort that is eternal and rooted in His victorious love.

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

Hosea 9:4

They shall not offer wine [offerings] to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices [shall be] unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

Ezekiel 24:17

Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not [thy] lips, and eat not the bread of men.

Deuteronomy 26:14

I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away [ought] thereof for [any] unclean [use], nor given [ought] thereof for the dead: [but] I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, [and] have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.

Job 42:11

Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

Proverbs 31:6

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Proverbs 31:7

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.