For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; 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, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.
JEREMIAH 16:9KJVWhat does Jeremiah 16:9 mean?
Jeremiah 16:9 describes how God will put an end to all joyful celebrations in Jerusalem during the lifetime of the people hearing this message. The verse says that the sounds of happiness, weddings, and feasting will disappear from the city as a sign of coming judgment.
The prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, delivering a message from the LORD (God of Israel) about the consequences of their unfaithfulness. The verse paints a vivid picture: everyday joys—like laughter, gladness, and wedding festivities—will be silenced. This warning is meant to show just how complete and devastating the coming loss will be for the community.
The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 16:9
- "cease" (שָׁבַת, shavat): This word means to stop or bring to an end. Here, it stresses that God Himself will actively remove joy from the city, not just let it fade away naturally.
- "voice" (קוֹל, qol): Repeated several times, this word means sound or voice. The repetition highlights how all forms of joyful noise—laughter, celebration, and marriage—will be silenced.
- "mirth" (שָׂשׂוֹן, sason) and "gladness" (שִׂמְחָה, simchah): Both words refer to happiness, but "sason" often points to outward rejoicing, while "simchah" can mean both inner and public joy. Their pairing shows that all types of happiness will be taken away.
- "bridegroom" (חָתָן, chatan) and "bride" (כַּלָּה, kallah): Naming both the bridegroom and bride makes the loss personal and communal, as weddings were central to community life.
Why Jeremiah 16:9 matters
- Jeremiah 16:9 makes clear that the coming judgment will touch every part of daily life, not just religious or political aspects, but even the most joyful family events.
- The verse emphasizes that this loss will happen "in your eyes, and in your days," meaning the people hearing Jeremiah's words would witness this sorrow themselves, not just future generations.
- By mentioning the silencing of weddings, Jeremiah 16:9 connects to a wider biblical theme where the end of joyful sounds signals deep crisis or exile, helping readers understand the seriousness of what is being foretold.