Jeremiah 16:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 16:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And thou shalt not go into the house of feasting to sit with them, to eat and to drink.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And thou shalt not go into the house of feasting to sit with them, to eat and to drink.
Jeremiah 16:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And thou shalt not go into the house of feasting to sit with them, to eat and to drink.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou shall not also go into the house of feasting, etc.] Which it was lawful to do, and which the prophet doubtless had done at other times; but now a time of calamity coming on, it was not proper he should; and the rather he was to abstain from such places, and from pleasant conversation with his friends, to assure them that such a time was coming, and this his conduct was a sign of it; for which reason he is forbid to attend any entertainment of his friends, on account of marriage, or any other circumstance of life, for which feasts were used: to sit with them to eat and to drink: which not only expresses the position at table, but continuance there; for at feasts men not only eat and…”
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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
“house of feasting--joyous: as distinguished from mourning-feasts. Have no more to do with this people whether in mourning or joyous feasts.”
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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
“Go - God did not only forbid his prophet to go into houses of mourning, but forbad him to go into houses, where they were wont to eat and drink upon a more chearful account. Jeremiah 16:13”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:8-9 The ban on attending feasts and parties isolated Jeremiah from meaningful social contact, but the Lord gave it special importance. The entire nation and its social interaction would soon cease to exist.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jer 15:17; Psa 26:4; Ecc 7:2-4; Isa 22:12-14; Amo 6:4-6; Mat 24:38; Luk 17:27-29; Co1 5:11; Eph 5:11 Jeremiah 16:9”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 Jer 16:9, cf. Jer 7:34. Jeremiah 16:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification