Jeremiah 16:7 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 16:7 mean?

Jeremiah 16:7 describes how, during a time of coming disaster, people will not practice the usual customs of mourning for the dead—no one will break bread or offer the traditional cup of comfort to those grieving for their father or mother. The verse highlights the complete disruption of normal acts of sympathy and community support in times of loss.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to warn the people of Judah about the severe judgment coming because of their unfaithfulness. The verse paints a vivid picture of social breakdown: even the most basic, compassionate rituals for comforting the bereaved will be abandoned. This shows the depth of the calamity—grief will be so widespread and overwhelming that ordinary expressions of kindness and mourning will disappear.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 16:7

• "tear" (פָּרַס, paras): This word can mean to break or divide, and here it refers to the custom of breaking bread to share with mourners. The detail emphasizes that even this simple act of comfort will be withheld.
• "cup" (כּוֹס, kos): This is the ordinary word for a drinking cup, and in this context, it refers to the "cup of consolation," a symbolic gesture of offering comfort to someone grieving. The absence of this cup underlines the lack of support and compassion.
• "consolation" (תַּנְחוּם, tanchum): This word means comfort or solace. Its use here points to the deep emotional support that will be missing in the time of judgment.

Why Jeremiah 16:7 matters

• Jeremiah 16:7 clarifies that the coming judgment will not just bring physical suffering but will also destroy the social bonds that help people endure grief, making the disaster even more devastating.
• The verse helps readers understand the seriousness of the situation Jeremiah is describing: even the most basic human kindness will be absent, which would have been shocking in a culture where mourning rituals were very important.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by showing how God’s warning through Jeremiah is not just about punishment, but about the total upheaval of normal life, including the loss of community and comfort.