Jeremiah 16:9
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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹ֨ה
H3541
כֹ֨ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֤ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
5 of 22
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מַשְׁבִּ֜ית
Behold I will cause to cease
H7673
מַשְׁבִּ֜ית
Behold I will cause to cease
Strong's:
H7673
Word #:
9 of 22
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַמָּק֥וֹם
out of this place
H4725
הַמָּק֥וֹם
out of this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
הַזֶּ֛ה
H2088
לְעֵינֵיכֶ֖ם
in your eyes
H5869
לְעֵינֵיכֶ֖ם
in your eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
13 of 22
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּבִֽימֵיכֶ֑ם
and in your days
H3117
וּבִֽימֵיכֶ֑ם
and in your days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
שִׂמְחָ֔ה
of gladness
H8057
שִׂמְחָ֔ה
of gladness
Strong's:
H8057
Word #:
18 of 22
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:34Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.Ezekiel 26:13And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.Hosea 2:11I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.Jeremiah 25:10Moreover 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.
Historical Context
The Babylonian exile resulted in Jerusalem's depopulation and Judah's desolation. For 70 years, the sounds of celebration were absent from the land, fulfilling this prophecy literally.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the silencing of weddings symbolize about judgment's effect on hope and future?
- How does God's causation of joy's cessation demonstrate His sovereignty over human experience?
- What role does awareness of joy's fragility play in proper fear of the Lord?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The theological reason given: '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.' The comprehensive silencing of joy ('mirth,' 'gladness,' wedding celebrations) will occur 'in your eyes' (they will witness it) and 'in your days' (during their lifetime). Wedding imagery particularly symbolizes hope and new beginnings—its cessation indicates hopelessness. The four voices (mirth, gladness, bridegroom, bride) represent the full spectrum of human joy. God will 'cause to cease' all of them, demonstrating His sovereign control over human experience. Judgment means joy's death.