Jeremiah 16:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹ֣ה׀
H3541
כֹ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 27
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
בֵּ֣ית
not into the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
not into the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
9 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֵּלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
תֵּלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 27
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִסְפּ֔וֹד
to lament
H5594
לִסְפּ֔וֹד
to lament
Strong's:
H5594
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
12 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תָּנֹ֖ד
nor bemoan
H5110
תָּנֹ֖ד
nor bemoan
Strong's:
H5110
Word #:
13 of 27
to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָסַ֨פְתִּי
them for I have taken away
H622
אָסַ֨פְתִּי
them for I have taken away
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
16 of 27
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁלוֹמִ֜י
my peace
H7965
שְׁלוֹמִ֜י
my peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
18 of 27
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
מֵאֵ֨ת
H853
מֵאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֤ם
from this people
H5971
הָעָ֤ם
from this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
20 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
23 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחֶ֖סֶד
even lovingkindness
H2617
הַחֶ֖סֶד
even lovingkindness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
25 of 27
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
Cross References
Isaiah 27:11When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.Deuteronomy 31:17Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?Revelation 6:4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Historical Context
Mourning rituals were central to ancient Near Eastern social life. Jeremiah's absence from these gatherings would have been shocking and would have prompted questions about God's relationship to Judah.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's withdrawal of peace, lovingkindness, and mercy look like practically?
- How do prophetic abstentions communicate truth about God's relationship to His people?
- What role do covenant blessings play in making normal life meaningful and bearable?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Further prohibitions: '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 is forbidden to participate in mourning rituals. The reason: God has withdrawn 'peace,' 'lovingkindness,' and 'mercies.' These three terms (shalom, chesed, rachamim) represent covenant blessings now forfeited. When God removes these, normal social consolations become meaningless. Jeremiah's absence from mourning rituals symbolized God's absence—no divine comfort remained. This sign-act demonstrated the theological reality: judgment means covenant blessing withdrawal.