Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

JEREMIAH 25:10KJV
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Jeremiah 25:10 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 25:10 mean?

Jeremiah 25:10 describes God’s warning that He will remove all signs of joy, celebration, and daily life from the people as a consequence of their actions. The verse lists the silencing of laughter, weddings, the grinding of grain, and even the light of lamps, showing a complete end to normal, happy living.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Judah, warning them about the coming judgment because they have ignored God’s commands. The verse paints a vivid picture of a community where happiness and daily routines vanish, signaling devastation and exile. This loss of ordinary sounds and lights would have been deeply unsettling for people used to a lively, bustling society.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 25:10

  • The word for "voice" (קוֹל, qol, H6963) appears several times, emphasizing the complete silencing of all joyful and familiar sounds in the community.
  • "Mirth" (שָׂשׂוֹן, sason, H8342) and "gladness" (שִׂמְחָה, simchah, H8057) both refer to happiness, but sason often points to outward, public celebration, while simchah can be more general joy. Their pairing highlights the total loss of both public and private happiness.
  • "Millstones" (רֵחַיִם, rekhayim, H7347) refers to the stones used for grinding grain, a daily activity. The absence of their sound means not just hunger, but the end of normal life and work.
  • "Light" (אוֹר, or, H216) and "candle" (נֵר, ner, H5216) together stress that even the most basic comfort and safety—light in the darkness—will be taken away.

Why Jeremiah 25:10 matters

  • Jeremiah 25:10 shows that the coming judgment is not only about military defeat but also about the loss of everyday joys and routines, making the warning more personal and relatable.
  • The verse connects to the larger message in Jeremiah 25, where God warns of seventy years of exile; this detail about silenced celebrations helps the reader feel the weight of that exile.
  • By listing specific sounds and sights, Jeremiah 25:10 helps modern readers understand how deeply disruptive and sorrowful exile would be—not just politically, but in every part of daily life.

Where else these words appear

“millstones” Hebrew H7347 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
  • Numbers 11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
  • Deuteronomy 24:6 No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man's life to pledge.

“bridegroom” Hebrew H2860 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
  • 1 Samuel 18:18 And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
  • Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

“mirth” Hebrew H8342 · used in 22 verses

  • Esther 8:16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
  • Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
  • Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

“bride” Hebrew H3618 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 11:31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
  • Ruth 2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
  • Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.