Jeremiah 16:9

16:1-9 The prophet must conduct himself as one who expected to see his country ruined very shortly. In the prospect of sad times, he is to abstain from marriage, mourning for the dead, and pleasure. Those who would convince others of the truths of God, must make it appear by their self-denial, that they believe it themselves. Peace, inward and outward, family and public, is wholly the work of God, and from his loving-kindness and mercy. When He takes his peace from any people, distress must follow. There may be times when it is proper to avoid things otherwise our duty; and we should always sit loose to the pleasures and concerns of this life.

For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel,.... Who is able to do what he here threatens he will, and which he will do, notwithstanding his being the God of Israel; their hearts not being right with him, nor they steadfast in his covenant. 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: upon any account whatsoever, civil or religious; and that out of Jerusalem, where their religious feasts were kept, as well as where were often expressions of joy made on civil accounts; and this should be in their sight, it should be notorious and remarkable, that they could not but observe it; and it should be in a short time, in their days, though they were very desirous of putting these evil days far from them, and were not willing to believe they should be at all, or, however, not in their days: the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride; the epithalamiums, or marriage songs, sung at the celebration of nuptials; these should cease, marrying and giving in marriage being over; the consequence of which must be ruin to the nation, a lawful succession of mankind being not otherwise to be kept up.

9 . Cp. Jeremiah 7:34 . 9–21 . Du. rejects all these vv . Co. omits 9–13, suspects the genuineness of 14, 15 both here and in Jeremiah 23:7 f., and rejects 16, as well as portions of 17–21. Gi. retains of the whole series only Jeremiah 16:19 , while admitting ( Metrik ) that 20, 21 may be genuine. Schmidt denies the genuineness of 14–21. There is thus a considerable consensus of authorities against the passage, but their arguments do not appear conclusive except as to 14, 15. See further in individual notes. According to Gi. ( Metrik ) metre is doubtful or non-existent, except in 7, 8, 19–21.

Tear themselves - Better as in the margin; "break broad for them." It was customary upon the death of a relative to fast, and for the friends and neighbors after a decent delay to come and comfort the mourner, and urge food upon him 2 Samuel 12:17 ; food was also distributed at funerals to the mourners, and to the poor. Cup of consolation - Marginal reference note.

The prophet is to withdraw from all participation in mirthful meals and feasts, in token that God will take away all joy from the people. בּית־משׁתּה, house in which a feast is given. אותם, for אתּם, refers, taken ad sensum, to the others who take part in the feast. On Jeremiah 16:9 , cf. Jeremiah 7:34 .

21 . separate ] See on Deuteronomy 4:41 . Unto evil , Jeremiah 21:10 ; Jeremiah 29:11 ; Jeremiah 38:4 ; Jeremiah 39:16 ; Jeremiah 44:11 ; Jeremiah 44:27 ; Jeremiah 44:29 ; but also in Amos 9:4 , Jdg 2:15 (deuteronomic). this book of the law ] See Deuteronomy 28:61 . 22–28 illustrate the last clause of 19 and predict how the whole land and people shall suffer for the sins of the idolaters. Deuteronomy 29:21

## Of Metaphors from Human Sense. Generally, feeling, sense, or the instrument of sense, (called in Greek aisqhma, aisqhsiv, aisqhthrion,) are transferred to the mind, which metaphor is frequent among the Latins, Luke 9:45 , "that they may not, aisqwntai, feel it ," that is understand it, as it is expounded, Luke 18:34; Philippians 1:9 , what we translate "judgment" in the Greek is asqesiv, sense , viz., a lively faith in Christ. Titus 1:1-2; John 17:3; Isaiah 53:11 . See Romans 5:1,5; 8:10,17; 14:17 . See also Hebrews 5:14 , with 1 Corinthians 2:13,15 . Sight, or seeing, denotes experience, or enjoyment, Exodus 20:18; Psalms 4:6-7; 16:9-10; 27:12-13; 34:12-13; 49:10-11; 63:2; 89:48-49; 91:15-16; 98:2-3; 128:6; Ecclesiastes 8:16 (where, to see sleep, denotes to sleep; so, to see corruption in death, Psalms 16:9-10 ,) Ecclesiastes 9:9; Isaiah 44:16; Jeremiah 16:10; Lamentations 3:1; Luke 2:26 , (where to see death signifies to die,) Luke 17:22; John 8:51,56; Revelation 18:7 , (&c.) Especially the verb to see, is used to denote a real experience of promises of great things, Isaiah 53:11; 60:5; 66:14 ; and of punishment under commination, Isaiah 26:11 . 2