Jeremiah 25:10

Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

Moreover I will take {H6} from them the voice {H6963} of mirth {H8342}, and the voice {H6963} of gladness {H8057}, the voice {H6963} of the bridegroom {H2860}, and the voice {H6963} of the bride {H3618}, the sound {H6963} of the millstones {H7347}, and the light {H216} of the candle {H5216}.

Moreover, I will silence among them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bridegroom and bride, the grinding of millstones and the light of lamps.

Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp.

Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp.

Commentary

Jeremiah 25:10 delivers a powerful and somber prophecy, illustrating the complete and utter desolation that God would bring upon Judah and Jerusalem. It paints a vivid picture of a society stripped of all its hallmarks of life, joy, and daily function.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of a pivotal prophecy delivered by Jeremiah in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim's reign, approximately 605 BC, marking 23 years of his prophetic ministry (compare Jeremiah 25:1-3). God's judgment was imminent due to Judah's persistent idolatry, disobedience, and rejection of His prophets' warnings (Jeremiah 25:4-7). The specific consequence was the 70-year Babylonian captivity, during which the land would lie desolate.

The imagery used in the verse is deeply significant for ancient Israelite life:

  • "the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride": These phrases represent the cessation of all public and private celebration, particularly weddings, which were central to community life, new families, and the continuation of society. Their absence signifies the end of joy and hope.
  • "the sound of the millstones": Grinding grain was a fundamental daily activity for every household, essential for preparing food. The silence of the millstones indicates the complete absence of daily labor, sustenance, and the very presence of people.
  • "and the light of the candle": Candles or lamps provided light in homes, signifying life, domestic activity, and safety, especially after dark. Its removal symbolizes the emptiness of homes, the end of normal domesticity, and a pervasive darkness—both literal and metaphorical.

Together, these images convey a comprehensive societal collapse, where all aspects of life, from grand celebrations to mundane routines, are utterly extinguished.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Desolation: The verse powerfully communicates God's severe and comprehensive judgment against a rebellious nation. It underscores that persistent sin and disobedience inevitably lead to profound consequences and widespread ruin.
  • Loss of Joy and Normalcy: It highlights how deeply sin can impact human experience, stripping away not only peace and security but also the most basic joys, celebrations, and rhythms of daily life.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Jeremiah's long ministry was marked by warnings, and this verse serves as a stark illustration of the ultimate outcome when God's people ignore His repeated calls to repentance. The judgment was just, as the people had mocked His messengers and despised His words.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "voice" (qol) is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the profound silence that would descend upon the land. This absence of sound, particularly of human activity and celebration, underscores the depth of the desolation. The chosen elements—mirth, gladness, bride/bridegroom, millstones, candle—are not random; they represent a complete spectrum of human experience, from the highest joys to the most vital necessities. Their collective removal signifies a total dismantling of society and life as it was known.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 25:10 serves as a timeless reminder of the seriousness of sin and the solemn consequences of persistent disobedience to God's will. It highlights that true societal peace, joy, and stability are ultimately dependent on a right relationship with the Creator. For believers today, it underscores the importance of heeding God's Word, seeking repentance where needed, and living in accordance with His righteous standards. While God's judgment is severe, His ultimate desire is for His people to seek Him and find hope, even after periods of discipline or difficulty.

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 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 7:34 (6 votes)

    Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.
  • Ezekiel 26:13 (4 votes)

    And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.
  • Revelation 18:22 (4 votes)

    And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft [he be], shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
  • Revelation 18:23 (4 votes)

    And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
  • Jeremiah 16:9 (4 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.
  • Jeremiah 33:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say [shall be] desolate without man and without beast, [even] in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,
  • Jeremiah 33:11 (3 votes)

    The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.