For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, even lovingkindness and mercies.
JEREMIAH 16:5KJVWhat does Jeremiah 16:5 mean?
Jeremiah 16:5 records God telling Jeremiah not to enter a house where people are mourning or to take part in grieving rituals, because God has removed His peace, lovingkindness, and mercies from the people. This means God’s favor and comfort have been withdrawn, so there is no point in traditional mourning for the dead.
God is speaking directly to Jeremiah, instructing him how to behave among his fellow Israelites during a time of coming judgment. The verse signals a severe moment: God’s relationship with the people has changed, and even normal expressions of sympathy are not appropriate. This command highlights the seriousness of the situation and the depth of God’s displeasure with the nation.
The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 16:5
- The word for "peace" is שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which means more than just the absence of conflict; it often refers to wholeness, well-being, and blessing. Its removal signals a total withdrawal of God’s protection and blessing.
- "Lovingkindness" is חֶסֶד (chesed), a word that carries the sense of steadfast love or covenant loyalty. God’s removal of chesed means the people are no longer experiencing His faithful, committed love.
- "Mercies" is רַחֲמִים (rachamim), which refers to compassion or tender mercy. Without rachamim, the people are left without God’s pity or gentle care.
Why Jeremiah 16:5 matters
- Jeremiah 16:5 clarifies that God’s judgment is so complete that even mourning customs are interrupted, showing the seriousness of the situation.
- The verse emphasizes that God’s blessings—shalom, chesed, and rachamim—are not automatic but can be withdrawn if the relationship is broken.
- This command to Jeremiah sets the tone for the surrounding passage, where God’s coming judgment is described as unavoidable and deeply sorrowful.