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Jeremiah 16:6

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 16:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Both great and 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;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Both great and 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;
Jeremiah 16:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3For thus saith Jehovah concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land:
4They shall die grievous deaths: they shall not be lamented, neither shall they be buried; they shall be as dung upon the face of the ground; and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their dead bodies shall be food for the birds of the heavens, and for the beasts of the earth.
5For thus saith Jehovah, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament, neither bemoan them; for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith Jehovah, even lovingkindness and tender mercies.
6Both great and 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;
7neither shall men break [bread] 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.
8And thou shalt not go into the house of feasting to sit with them, to eat and to drink.
9For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place, before 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.
← Jeremiah 16:5Jeremiah 16:7 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Both the great and the small shall die in this land, etc.] The nobles as well as the common people, high and low, rich and poor; none shall be exempted from the grievous deaths by the sword, famine, and pestilence. They shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them; as before, (<241604>Jeremiah 16:4), this shall be the common case of them all; the great and the rich shall have no more care and notice taken of them than the poor: nor cut themselves; their flesh, with their nails, or with knives, to show their grief for the dead, and to alleviate the sorrow of surviving friends, by bearing a part with them: nor make themselves bald for them; by plucking off the hair of their heads, or…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“cut themselves--indicating extravagant grief (Jer 41:5; Jer 47:5), prohibited by the law (Lev 19:28). bald-- (Jer 7:29; Isa 22:12).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Cut themselves ... make themselves bald - Both these practices were strictly forbidden in the Law (marginal references) probably as being pagan customs, but they seem to have remained in common use. By “making bald” is meant shaving a bare patch on the front of the head. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Nor cut - Cutting themselves and cutting off their hair, were Pagan customs, which God forbad his own people; but yet it seemed they practised them: but saith God, Men shall die so fast that they shall have no leisure to cut themselves. Jeremiah 16:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the great: Jer 13:13; Isa 9:14-17, Isa 24:2; Eze 9:5, Eze 9:6; Amo 6:11; Rev 6:15, Rev 20:12 they: Jer 16:4, Jer 22:18, Jer 22:19 nor cut: Jer 7:29, Jer 41:5, Jer 47:5, Jer 48:37; Lev 19:28; Deu 14:1; Isa 22:12 Jeremiah 16:7”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification