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Matthew Henry

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 16:7

Neither shall men tear themselves ,.... Either their flesh, or their clothes: or, "stretch out" F25 ולא יפרסו "et non expandent, sub. manus suas", Vatablus, Montanus; "extendent", Pagninus, Calvin. So Kimchi and Ben Melech. ; that is, their hands, and clap them together, and wring them, as persons in great distress do: or "divide", or "break", or "deal unto them" F26 "Non divident", Tigurine version; "neque impertientur, sub. cibum", Junius & Tremellius; "partientur... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 16:8

Thou shall not also go into the house of feasting ,.... Which it was lawful to do, and which the prophet doubtless had done at other times; but now a time of calamity coming on, it was not proper he should; and the rather he was to abstain from such places, and from pleasant conversation with his friends, to assure them that such a time was coming, and this his conduct was a sign of it; for which reason he is forbid to attend any entertainment of his friends, on account of marriage, or any... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 16:9

For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel ,.... Who is able to do what he here threatens he will, and which he will do, notwithstanding his being the God of Israel; their hearts not being right with him, nor they steadfast in his covenant. 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 : upon any account whatsoever, civil or religious; and that out of Jerusalem, where their religious feasts were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 16:8

Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting - Funeral banquets were made to commemorate the dead, and comfort the surviving relatives; and the cup of consolation, strong mingled wine, was given to those who were deepest in distress, to divert their minds and to soothe their sorrows. These kinds of ceremonies were common among almost all the nations of the world on funeral occasions. The Canaanites, the Jews, the Persians, Arabians, New Zealanders, Huns, etc., etc. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 16:7

Verse 7 With regard to the seventh verse, (161) we may learn from it what I have already referred to, — that the Jews made funeral feasts, that children and widows might receive some relief to their sorrow; for the Prophet calls it the cup of consolations, when friends kindly attended; they had also some ridiculous gesticulations; for no doubt laughter was often excited by mourners among the Jews. But we see that men vied with one another in lamenting for the dead; for it was deemed a shame not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 16:8

Verse 8 Here the Prophet refers to other feasts, where hilarity prevailed. The meaning then is, — that the people were given up to destruction, so that nothing was better than to depart from them as far as possible. So Jeremiah is prohibited from going at all to them, so that he might not be their associate either in joy or in sorrow; as though he had said, — ‘Have no more anything to do with this people; if they lament their dead, leave them, for they are unworthy of any act of kindness; and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 16:9

Verse 9 This verse contains a reason for the preceding, — that every connection with that people would be accursed. Yet he states one thing more expressly, — that the time was come in which they were already deprived of all joy; for the ungodly, even when God most awfully threatens them, strengthen themselves in their security, hence God intended to give them some presage, that they might before the time know that the saddest calamities were at hand, by which every joy and gladness were to be... 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

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