Jeremiah 16:3 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 16:3 mean?

Jeremiah 16:3 announces that the LORD is speaking about the fate of the children born in the land, as well as their parents—both mothers and fathers—who live there. The verse sets up a warning that what happens to these families will be determined by God’s message through Jeremiah.

In this verse, God is addressing Jeremiah, telling him what will happen to the families living in Judah at that time. The focus is on everyone in the community—sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers—emphasizing that no group will be left out of the coming judgment. This sets the stage for the next verses, which will describe the consequences they will face.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 16:3

• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, stressing that the message comes directly from Israel’s covenant God, not a generic deity.
• "sons" (בֵּן, ben) and "daughters" (בַּת, bat): These words highlight that the warning applies to all children, not just adults or a specific gender.
• "born" (יָלַד, yalad) and "bare" (יָלַד, yalad): The same Hebrew root is used for both being born and giving birth, showing a close link between parents and children in their shared fate.
• "fathers" (אָב, av) and "mothers" (אֵם, em): Both parents are specifically mentioned, underlining that the coming message is for entire families, not just individuals.

Why Jeremiah 16:3 matters

• Jeremiah 16:3 makes clear that the coming judgment is not limited to a single group; it will affect every generation and family in the land, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
• By naming both parents and children, the verse highlights the totality of what is coming—no one is exempt, which would have been a sobering message for Jeremiah’s audience.
• This verse prepares the reader for the specific details of judgment that follow, making it clear that God’s warning is comprehensive and not just symbolic or partial.