Jeremiah 16:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 16:1-9

The prophet is here for a sign to the people. They would not regard what he said; let it be tried whether they will regard what he does. In general, he must conduct himself so, in every thing, as became one that expected to see his country in ruins very shortly. This he foretold, but few regarded the prediction; therefore he is to show that he is himself fully satisfied in the truth of it. Others go on in their usual course, but he, in the prospect of these sad times, is forbidden and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 16:6

Nor cut themselves - A custom of the heathen forbidden to the Jews, Leviticus 19:28 ; Deuteronomy 14:1 , and which appears now to have prevailed among them; because, having become idolaters, they conformed to all the customs of the heathen. They tore their hair, rent their garments, cut their hands, arms, and faces. These were not only signs of sorrow but were even supposed to give ease to the dead, and appease the angry deities. The Hindoos, on the death of a relation, express their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 16:6

Verse 6 He pursues the same subject: he says that all would die indiscriminately, the common people as well as the chief men, that none would be exempt from destruction; for God would make a great slaughter, both of the lower orders and also of the higher, who excelled in wealth, in honor, and dignity; Die shall the great and the small. It often happens in changes that the great are punished; and sometimes the case is that the common people perish, while the nobles are spared: but God declares,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 16:1-9

Commands countermanded. There are three such in this section. I. THE COMMAND TO MARRY . 1. In every way whereby the will of God can be expressed—by his Word, his providence, his laws, written, moral, social, physical, God has commanded that "a man shall leave his father and mother," etc. "A good wife is from the Lord," her companionship is the most blessed in the world. All artificial hindrances to marriage are, therefore, to be condemned. The same enemy that destroys such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 16:1-21

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 16:5-9

The house of mourning and the house of feasting alike forbidden. It is made plain upon the surface of this command that the house of mourning and the house of feasting are not forbidden in themselves. The man on whom the injunction is laid is a special man, and he is spoken to in special circumstances. All others may cross the threshold of such houses; the prophet alone must remain outside. This peculiar conduct was meant to emphasize his predictions. Every time there is a funeral or a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 16:6

Nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald . Both practices are forbidden in the Law ( Deuteronomy 14:1 ; Le 19:28; Deuteronomy 21:5 ), but the prohibition was at any rate unknown to the masses (see, for the former, Jeremiah 41:5 ; Jeremiah 47:5 ; and for the latter, Jeremiah 47:5 ; Isaiah 22:12 , "The Lord Jehovah called … to baldness;" Amos 8:10 ; Micah 1:16 ; Ezekiel 7:18 ). St. Jerome remarks, and incidentally gives a valuable evidence of the tenacity of primitive... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 16:6

Cut themselves ... make themselves bald - Both these practices were strictly forbidden in the Law (marginal references) probably as being pagan customs, but they seem to have remained in common use. By “making bald” is meant shaving a bare patch on the front of the head. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 16:5-6

Jeremiah 16:5-6. Enter not into the house of mourning Or, of a mourning feast, according to the reading in the margin, the word מרזח , occurring also Amos 6:7, and being there rendered a banquet. The sense seems to be, Do not go to comfort such as mourn for any friends or relations dead; their feastings on those occasions being upon a consolatory account: those that die are most happy. For I have taken away my peace from this people That is, I have put a full period to their... read more

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