Jeremiah 16:7

No food will be offered to comfort those who mourn the dead; not even a cup of consolation will be given for the loss of a father or mother.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jeremiah addresses the people of Judah during a period of widespread death and divine judgment. He declares that customary mourning practices will be completely suspended in the coming disaster.

The words — יִפְרְס֥וּ (yif.re.Su) = people will break and אֵ֖בֶל ('E.vel) = mourning. These terms describe the ritual breaking of bread that traditionally accompanies bereavement.

The thread — Ezekiel 24:17 commands quiet groaning without mourning for the dead; Hosea 9:4 notes wine offerings will not be poured out; Deuteronomy 26:14 prohibits eating sacred portions during mourning.

Why it lands — It demands recognition that divine judgment suspends customary rites, requiring obedience to God's commands over social tradition.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְלֹֽא־ve./lo'-and/ not יִפְרְס֥וּyif.re.Supeople will breakלָהֶ֛םla./Hemfor <the>/ themעַל־'al-on אֵ֖בֶל'E.velmourning לְנַחֲמ֣וֹle./na.cha.M/oto/ comfort/ him עַל־'al-on מֵ֑תMeta dead [person]וְלֹֽא־ve./lo'-and/ not יַשְׁק֤וּyash.Kupeople will give to drink אוֹתָם֙'o.Ta/m<obj.>/ them כּ֣וֹסKosa cup of תַּנְחוּמִ֔יםtan.chu.Mimconsolations עַל־'al-on אָבִ֖יו'a.Vi/vfather/ his וְעַל־ve./'al-and/ on אִמּֽוֹ׃'i.M/omother/ his

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Ezekiel 24:17 Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.”
Hosea 9:4 They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD, and their sacrifices will not please Him, but will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat will be defiled. For their bread will be for themselves; it will not enter the house of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 26:14 I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while in mourning, or removed any of it while unclean, or offered any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God; I have done everything You commanded me.
Job 42:11 All his brothers and sisters and prior acquaintances came and dined with him in his house. They consoled him and comforted him over all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.