Jeremiah 16

Jeremiah 16:1-21 . CONTINUATION OF THE PREVIOUS PROPHECY.

2. in this place--in Judea. The direction to remain single was (whether literally obeyed, or only in prophetic vision) to symbolize the coming calamities of the Jews ( Ezekiel 24:15-27 ) as so severe that the single state would be then (contrary to the ordinary course of things) preferable to the married (compare 1 Corinthians 7:8 1 Corinthians 7:26 1 Corinthians 7:29 , Matthew 24:19 , Luke 23:29 ).

4. grievous deaths--rather, "deadly diseases" ( Jeremiah 15:2 ).
not . . . lamented--so many shall be the slain ( Jeremiah 22:18 ).
dung--( Psalms 83:10 ).

5. ( Ezekiel 24:17 Ezekiel 24:22 Ezekiel 24:23 ).
house of mourning--( Mark 5:38 ). Margin, "mourning-feast"; such feasts were usual at funerals. The Hebrew means, in Amos 6:7 , the cry of joy at a banquet; here, and Lamentations 2:19 , the cry of sorrow.

6. cut themselves--indicating extravagant grief ( Jeremiah 41:5 , 47:5 ), prohibited by the law ( Leviticus 19:28 ).
bald--( Jeremiah 7:29 , Isaiah 22:12 ).

7. tear themselves--rather, "break bread," namely, that eaten at the funeral-feast ( Deuteronomy 26:14 , Job 42:11 , Ezekiel 24:17 , Hosea 9:4 ). "Bread" is to be supplied, as in Lamentations 4:4 ; compare "take" (food) ( Genesis 42:33 ).
give . . . cup of consolation . . . for . . . father--It was the Oriental custom for friends to send viands and wine (the "cup of consolation") to console relatives in mourning-feasts, for example, to children upon the death of a "father" or "mother."

8. house of feasting--joyous: as distinguished from mourning-feasts. Have no more to do with this people whether in mourning or joyous feasts.

9. ( Jeremiah 7:34 , 25:10;,Ezek 26:13 Ezek 25:10 ).

10. ( Deuteronomy 29:24 , 1 Kings 9:8 1 Kings 9:9 ).

11. ( Jeremiah 5:19 , 13:22 , Jeremiah 22:8 Jeremiah 22:9 ).

12. ye--emphatic: so far from avoiding your fathers' bad example, ye have done worse ( Jeremiah 7:26 , 1 Kings 14:9 ).
imagination--rather, "stubborn perversity."
that they may not hearken--rather, connected with "ye"; "ye have walked . . . so as not to hearken to Me."