Jeremiah 16:6

6 "Both 1great men and small will die in this land; they will not be buried, they will not be lamented, nor will anyone 2gash himself or 3shave his head for them.

Jeremiah 16:6 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 16:6

Both the great and the small shall die in this land
The nobles as well as the common people, high and low, rich and poor; none shall be exempted from the grievous deaths by the sword, famine, and pestilence. They shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them;
as before, ( Jeremiah 16:4 ) , this shall be the common case of them all; the great and the rich shall have no more care and notice taken of them than the poor: nor cut themselves;
their flesh, with their nails, or with knives, to show their grief for the dead, and to alleviate the sorrow of surviving friends, by bearing a part with them: nor make themselves bald for them;
by plucking off the hair of their heads, or by shaving them, and between their eyes; which though forbidden the Jews by the law of God, as being Heathenish customs, yet obtained in the times of Jeremiah, and were usually done; see ( Deuteronomy 14:1 ) .

Jeremiah 16:6 In-Context

4 "They will die of deadly diseases, they will not be lamented or buried; they will be as dung on the surface of the ground and come to an end by sword and famine, and their carcasses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the beasts of the earth."
5 For thus says the LORD , "Do not enter a house of mourning, or go to lament or to console them; for I have withdrawn My peace from this people," declares the LORD , "My lovingkindness and compassion.
6 "Both great men and small will die in this land; they will not be buried, they will not be lamented, nor will anyone gash himself or shave his head for them.
7 "Men will not break bread in mourning for them, to comfort anyone for the dead, nor give them a cup of consolation to drink for anyone's father or mother.
8 "Moreover you shall not go into a house of feasting to sit with them to eat and drink."

Cross References 3

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 36:17; Ezekiel 9:6
  • 2. Deuteronomy 14:1; Jeremiah 41:5; Jeremiah 47:5
  • 3. Isaiah 22:12
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