Jeremiah 16:7
Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִפְרְס֥וּ
Neither shall men tear
H6536
יִפְרְס֥וּ
Neither shall men tear
Strong's:
H6536
Word #:
2 of 17
to break in pieces, i.e., (usually without violence) to split, distribute
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְנַחֲמ֣וֹ
to comfort
H5162
לְנַחֲמ֣וֹ
to comfort
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֵ֑ת
them for the dead
H4191
מֵ֑ת
them for the dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
8 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַשְׁק֤וּ
to drink
H8248
יַשְׁק֤וּ
to drink
Strong's:
H8248
Word #:
10 of 17
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
אוֹתָם֙
H853
אוֹתָם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כּ֣וֹס
neither shall men give them the cup
H3563
כּ֣וֹס
neither shall men give them the cup
Strong's:
H3563
Word #:
12 of 17
a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אָבִ֖יו
for their father
H1
אָבִ֖יו
for their father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
15 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
Ezekiel 24:17Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.Hosea 9:4They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.Deuteronomy 26:14I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.
Historical Context
Ancient mourning rituals included communal meals and symbolic acts of solidarity with the bereaved. The prophecy envisions such devastation that these social supports collapse entirely.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the collapse of social mourning rituals teach about judgment's effects on community?
- How do traditional forms of consolation depend on stable social structures?
- What happens to a society when even grief cannot be properly acknowledged and processed?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
More mourning customs suspended: 'Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.' The 'cup of consolation' was likely ceremonial drink shared at funerals. These social comforts will cease. The phrase 'to comfort them for the dead' emphasizes mourning's consolatory function—now unavailable. Even parental death (father, mother) won't receive proper mourning. This depicts societal collapse: when traditional support structures fail, even grief cannot be properly processed. The absence of consolation illustrates judgment's comprehensive dismantling of normal life.