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Jeremiah 16:5

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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.

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}.

"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.

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.

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

Jeremiah 16:5 presents a striking command from the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah, forbidding him from participating in common social and religious mourning rites. This unusual directive is a powerful symbolic act, signifying the severe judgment that is about to fall upon the people of Judah.

Context

Chapter 16 of Jeremiah details a series of prohibitions placed upon the prophet, turning his very life into a living parable of God's impending wrath against Judah. Jeremiah is forbidden from marriage and having children (Jeremiah 16:2), from attending feasts, and here, from entering a "house of mourning" or lamenting the dead. These actions are not arbitrary; they vividly illustrate the coming desolation, where normal life and traditional rituals will cease to exist due to widespread death and destruction. The people's persistent idolatry and disobedience have pushed God to a point where traditional expressions of sorrow and communal support become meaningless in the face of overwhelming divine judgment.

Key Themes

  • A Prophetic Sign of Judgment: Jeremiah's inability to mourn serves as a stark visual and experiential prophecy. It communicates that the impending catastrophe will be so immense and pervasive that customary lamentations will be rendered futile or impossible. This mirrors other prophetic actions, such as Ezekiel being forbidden to mourn his wife's death, signifying the overwhelming nature of Jerusalem's fall.
  • The Withdrawal of God's Blessings: The core reason for the prohibition is God's declaration: "I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, even lovingkindness and mercies." This indicates a divine withdrawal of the very attributes that sustained the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It's not an arbitrary act but a direct consequence of the people's persistent rebellion and rejection of God's law.
  • Consequences of Persistent Sin: The verse powerfully underscores the grave consequences of unfaithfulness. When a people collectively turn away from God, they forfeit the divine protection, prosperity, and compassion that come from His presence. The absence of "peace, lovingkindness, and mercies" signals a period of great suffering and instability for Judah, leading to their eventual Babylonian exile.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Peace" (Hebrew: shalom): This word signifies far more than just the absence of conflict. Shalom encompasses holistic well-being, prosperity, health, security, and a state of harmony. When God says He has taken away His shalom, it implies a complete breakdown of societal order, personal security, and spiritual contentment. The false prophets often cried "Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 8:11), highlighting the stark reality of God's withdrawal.
  • "Lovingkindness" (Hebrew: hesed): This rich theological term refers to God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, and unfailing grace. It denotes a deep, committed devotion. Its withdrawal signifies the breaking of the covenant relationship due to Israel's infidelity. God's hesed is a foundational attribute, often celebrated in the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 136:1).
  • "Mercies" (Hebrew: rachamim): This word conveys deep compassion, pity, and tender affection, often associated with a mother's womb. Its absence points to the dire and desperate state of the people, left without divine pity in their suffering.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 16:5 serves as a profound reminder of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment. While believers today live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, this verse highlights timeless truths:

  • God's Holiness and Justice: God is not indifferent to sin. Persistent rebellion against His commands and rejection of His love will inevitably lead to consequences.
  • The Value of God's Blessings: The peace, lovingkindness, and mercies of God are invaluable. We are called to cherish and respond to His grace with faithfulness and obedience.
  • A Call to Repentance: The severity of the judgment predicted for Judah underscores the ongoing need for individuals and nations to turn from sin and seek God's forgiveness and restoration. Through Christ, we can experience true peace with God and His unfailing mercies.
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

  • Ezekiel 24:16 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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.