Jeremiah 16:6
Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:
Original Language Analysis
וּמֵ֨תוּ
shall die
H4191
וּמֵ֨תוּ
shall die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
1 of 15
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
גְדֹלִ֧ים
Both the great
H1419
גְדֹלִ֧ים
Both the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
2 of 15
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וּקְטַנִּ֛ים
and the small
H6996
וּקְטַנִּ֛ים
and the small
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
3 of 15
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִסְפְּד֣וּ
neither shall men lament
H5594
יִסְפְּד֣וּ
neither shall men lament
Strong's:
H5594
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתְגֹּדַ֔ד
for them nor cut
H1413
יִתְגֹּדַ֔ד
for them nor cut
Strong's:
H1413
Word #:
12 of 15
to crowd; also to gash (as if by pressing into)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Deuteronomy 14:1Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.Jeremiah 41:5That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.Jeremiah 47:5Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?Leviticus 19:28Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.Isaiah 22:12And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:Jeremiah 48:37For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
Historical Context
The Babylonian conquest resulted in massive casualties across all social classes. The death toll was so high that traditional mourning practices became impossible to observe for each individual.
Questions for Reflection
- What does death crossing all social boundaries teach about judgment's impartiality?
- How does societal collapse manifest when death becomes too common for proper mourning?
- What warning does comprehensive judgment provide about the trajectory of persistent covenant breaking?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The prophecy of comprehensive death: 'Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them.' Death crosses all classes ('great and small'). The mourning practices (cutting, baldness) were pagan-influenced customs forbidden by law (Leviticus 19:28; Deuteronomy 14:1) yet practiced. The observation that these won't occur suggests either such devastation that survivors cannot mourn properly, or that death becomes so common that individual mourning ceases. The universality of death and absence of proper burial illustrate complete societal collapse under judgment.