Jeremiah 16:4

Jeremiah 16:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie like dung on the ground. They will be finished off by sword and famine, and their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.”

King James Version KJV

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

American Standard Version ASV

They 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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Death from evil diseases will overtake them; there will be no weeping for them and their bodies will not be put to rest; they will be like waste on the face of the earth: the sword and need of food will put an end to them; their dead bodies will be meat for the birds of heaven and for the beasts of the earth.

Free Bible Version FBV

They will die from fatal diseases. No one will mourn for them. Their bodies won't be buried, but will lie on the ground like manure. They will be destroyed by war and famine, and their bodies will be food for birds of prey and wild animals.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

They shall die of deathes and diseases: they shall not be lamented, neither shall they be buried, but they shalbe as dung vpon the earth, and they shalbe consumed by the sword, and by famine, and their carkeises shall be meate for the foules of the heauen, and for the beasts of the earth.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Of painful deaths they die, They are not lamented, nor are they buried, For dung on the face of the ground they are, And by sword and by famine are consumed, And their carcase hath been for food To the fowl of the heavens, And to the beast of the earth.

World English Bible WEB

“They will die grievous deaths. They will not be lamented, neither will they be buried. They will be as dung on the surface of the ground. They will be consumed by the sword and by famine. Their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and for the animals of the earth.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

They shall die by grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcasses shall be food for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

They shall die by the death of grievous illnesses: they shall not be lamented, and they shall not be buried, they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed with the sword, and with famine: and their carcasses shall be meat for the fowls of the air, and for the beasts of the earth.

Translation for Translators T4T

Many of them will die from terrible diseases. And no one will mourn for them. No one will even bury their corpses; the corpses will lie on the ground, scattered like manure. Others will die in wars or from hunger, and then their corpses will become food for vultures and wild animals.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 16:4

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 16:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB מְמוֹתֵ֨י תַחֲלֻאִ֜ים יָמֻ֗תוּ לֹ֤א יִסָּֽפְדוּ֙ וְ/לֹ֣א יִקָּבֵ֔רוּ לְ/דֹ֛מֶן עַל פְּנֵ֥י הָ/אֲדָמָ֖ה יִֽהְי֑וּ וּ/בַ/חֶ֤רֶב וּ/בָֽ/רָעָב֙ יִכְל֔וּ וְ/הָיְתָ֤ה נִבְלָתָ/ם֙ לְ/מַאֲכָ֔ל לְ/ע֥וֹף הַ/שָּׁמַ֖יִם וּ/לְ/בֶהֱמַ֥ת הָ/אָֽרֶץ

מְמוֹתֵ֨י mâmôwth H4463 death N-mp

תַחֲלֻאִ֜ים tachălûwʼ H8463 disease N-mp

יָמֻ֗תוּ mûwth H4191 to die V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 not Part

יִסָּֽפְדוּ֙ çâphad H5594 to mourn V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יִקָּבֵ֔רוּ qâbar H6912 to bury V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp

לְ/דֹ֛מֶן dômen H1828 dung Prep | N-ms

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

פְּנֵ֥י pânîym H6440 face N-cp

הָ/אֲדָמָ֖ה ʼădâmâh H127 land Art | N-fs

יִֽהְי֑וּ hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

וּ/בַ/חֶ֤רֶב chereb H2719 sword Conj | Prep | N-fs

וּ/בָֽ/רָעָב֙ râʻâb H7458 famine Conj | Prep | N-ms

יִכְל֔וּ kâlâh H3615 to end V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

וְ/הָיְתָ֤ה hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-3fs

נִבְלָתָ/ם֙ nᵉbêlâh H5038 carcass N-fs | Suff

לְ/מַאֲכָ֔ל maʼăkâl H3978 food Prep | N-ms

לְ/ע֥וֹף ʻôwph H5775 bird Prep | N-ms

הַ/שָּׁמַ֖יִם shâmayim H8064 heaven Art | N-mp

וּ/לְ/בֶהֱמַ֥ת bᵉhêmâh H929 animal Conj | Prep | N-fs

הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 16:4

מְמוֹתֵ֨י mâmôwth H4463 "death" N-mp

This word refers to death or a fatal disease, and is often used to describe the end of life. In the Bible, it is used to talk about the consequences of sin, as seen in Romans and Genesis. It can also refer to a corpse or a dead body.

Definition: death

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: death. See also: 2 Kings 11:2; Jeremiah 16:4; Ezekiel 28:8.

תַחֲלֻאִ֜ים tachălûwʼ H8463 "disease" N-mp

This Hebrew word refers to a sickness or disease that affects the body, as mentioned in various books of the Bible, including Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

Definition: diseases

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: disease, [idiom] grievous, (that are) sick(-ness). See also: Deuteronomy 29:21; Psalms 103:3; Jeremiah 14:18.

יָמֻ֗תוּ mûwth H4191 "to die" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.

Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely

Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.

לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

יִסָּֽפְדוּ֙ çâphad H5594 "to mourn" V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp

This Hebrew verb means to mourn or lament, often by tearing hair and beating breasts. It involves expressing deep sadness or grief, like wailing or lamenting. The KJV translates it as lament or mourn.

Definition: 1) to wail, lament, mourn 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wail, lament 1a2) wailers (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be lamented, be bewailed

Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: lament, mourn(-er), wail. See also: Genesis 23:2; Jeremiah 16:4; Isaiah 32:12.

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

יִקָּבֵ֔רוּ qâbar H6912 "to bury" V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp

To bury means to inter or lay someone to rest, often in a grave or tomb. This word is used throughout the Bible to describe the act of burying the dead, and is translated as bury in the KJV.

Definition: 1) to bury 1a) (Qal) to bury 1b) (Niphal) to be buried 1c) (Piel) to bury, bury (in masses) 1d) (Pual) to be buried

Usage: Occurs in 122 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] in any wise, bury(-ier). See also: Genesis 15:15; 1 Kings 14:31; Psalms 79:3.

לְ/דֹ֛מֶן dômen H1828 "dung" Prep | N-ms

In the Bible, this word refers to dung or manure, often used figuratively to describe something worthless, as seen in Psalm 83:10 where God scatters His enemies like dung.

Definition: dung (always of corpses) (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: dung. See also: 2 Kings 9:37; Jeremiah 9:21; Psalms 83:11.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

פְּנֵ֥י pânîym H6440 "face" N-cp

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

הָ/אֲדָמָ֖ה ʼădâmâh H127 "land" Art | N-fs

This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.

Definition: : soil 1) ground, land 1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance) 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing) 1d) ground as earth's visible surface 1e) land, territory, country 1f) whole inhabited earth 1g) city in Naphtali

Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. See also: Genesis 1:25; 1 Kings 8:40; Psalms 49:12.

יִֽהְי֑וּ hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

וּ/בַ/חֶ֤רֶב chereb H2719 "sword" Conj | Prep | N-fs

A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.

Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone

Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.

וּ/בָֽ/רָעָב֙ râʻâb H7458 "famine" Conj | Prep | N-ms

Famine or hunger is what this Hebrew word represents, often referring to a lack of food or spiritual nourishment. It appears in books like Genesis and Jeremiah, highlighting the importance of trust in God during difficult times.

Definition: 1) famine, hunger 1a) famine (in land, nation) 1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig) 1b) hunger (of individuals)

Usage: Occurs in 88 OT verses. KJV: dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger. See also: Genesis 12:10; Jeremiah 14:12; Psalms 33:19.

יִכְל֔וּ kâlâh H3615 "to end" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.

Definition: : finish 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) 1b4) to make an end, end 1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass 1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought) 1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease 1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend 1b9) to destroy, exterminate 1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed

Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. See also: Genesis 2:1; 2 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 18:38.

וְ/הָיְתָ֤ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-3fs

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

נִבְלָתָ/ם֙ nᵉbêlâh H5038 "carcass" N-fs | Suff

This Hebrew word refers to a dead body or carcass, whether human or animal, often translated as 'dead body' or 'carcass'. It can also symbolize an idol.

Definition: 1) carcass, corpse 1a) of humans, idols, animals

Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: (dead) body, (dead) carcase, dead of itself, which died, (beast) that (which) dieth of itself. See also: Leviticus 5:2; Joshua 8:29; Psalms 79:2.

לְ/מַאֲכָ֔ל maʼăkâl H3978 "food" Prep | N-ms

This word means food or something to eat, like fruit or meat, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in Genesis. It's about nourishment and survival.

Definition: food, fruit, meat

Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: food, fruit, (bake-)meat(-s), victual. See also: Genesis 2:9; Job 33:20; Psalms 44:12.

לְ/ע֥וֹף ʻôwph H5775 "bird" Prep | N-ms

In the Bible, this word simply means a bird, like the ones that fly in the sky. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms, often symbolizing freedom.

Definition: 1) flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds 1a) fowl, birds 1b) winged insects Aramaic equivalent: oph (עוֹף "bird" H5776)

Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: bird, that flieth, flying, fowl. See also: Genesis 1:20; 1 Samuel 17:46; Psalms 50:11.

הַ/שָּׁמַ֖יִם shâmayim H8064 "heaven" Art | N-mp

The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.

Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)

Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.

וּ/לְ/בֶהֱמַ֥ת bᵉhêmâh H929 "animal" Conj | Prep | N-fs

This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.

Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts

Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.

הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 16:4

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Context
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Jeremiah 16:4 Summary
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Context — Disaster Predicted

2“You must not marry or have sons or daughters in this place.” 3For this is what the LORD says concerning the sons and daughters born in this place, and the mothers who bore them, and the fathers who fathered them in this land:

4“They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie like dung on the ground. They will be finished off by sword and famine, and their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.”

5Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal. Do not go to mourn or show sympathy, for I have removed from this people My peace, My loving devotion, and My compassion,” declares the LORD. 6“Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, nor will anyone cut himself or shave his head for them.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Jeremiah 25:33	Those slain by the LORD on that day will be spread from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned, gathered, or buried. They will be like dung lying on the ground.
2	Psalms 83:10	who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground.
3	Jeremiah 9:22	Declare that this is what the LORD says: “The corpses of men will fall like dung upon the open field, like newly cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather it.”
4	Jeremiah 34:20	I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.
5	Jeremiah 15:2–3	If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’ I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.
6	Zephaniah 1:17	I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
7	Jeremiah 22:18–19	Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: “They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’ They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’ He will be buried like a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.
8	Psalms 79:2–3	They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.
9	2 Kings 9:10	And on the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour Jezebel, and there will be no one to bury her.’” Then the young prophet opened the door and ran.
10	Isaiah 18:6	They will all be left to the mountain birds of prey, and to the beasts of the land. The birds will feed on them in summer, and all the wild animals in winter.

Jeremiah 16:4 Summary

Jeremiah 16:4 is a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience to God. The verse describes a time when God's people will face severe judgments, including disease, war, and famine, and their bodies will be left unburied and uneaten. This is a sobering message, but it's also a call to repentance and faith, as seen in Jeremiah 16:4 and 2 Chronicles 7:14. As we reflect on this verse, we can remember that God is a God of justice and mercy, and that He desires our obedience and worship, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40 and 1 John 2:3-6.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'die from deadly diseases' in Jeremiah 16:4?

This phrase refers to the severe judgments that God will bring upon His people due to their sin, as seen in Jeremiah 16:4, and is reminiscent of the plagues in Exodus 15:26 and Leviticus 26:16.

Why will the corpses not be mourned or buried in Jeremiah 16:4?

This is a sign of God's judgment and displeasure, as mourning and burial were important customs in ancient Israel, and their absence signifies a lack of compassion and respect, as seen in Jeremiah 16:4 and Deuteronomy 28:26.

What is the significance of the corpses becoming 'food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth'?

This image is a graphic representation of the desolation and chaos that will result from God's judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 16:4, and is similar to the imagery used in Ezekiel 39:17-20 and Revelation 19:17-18.

Is this verse still relevant to us today?

Yes, Jeremiah 16:4 serves as a reminder of God's holiness and justice, and the consequences of sin, as seen in Romans 6:23 and Revelation 20:12-15, and encourages us to repent and turn to God in faith and obedience.

Reflection Questions

How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice and mercy?
In what ways can I apply the lessons of Jeremiah 16:4 to my own life and relationships?
What does this verse reveal about the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and Jeremiah 7:23?
How can I balance the message of judgment in Jeremiah 16:4 with the message of love and forgiveness in John 3:16 and Romans 5:8?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 16:4

They shall die of grievous deaths,.... Such as the sword, famine, and pestilence. The Targum particularly adds famine.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 16:4

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:4

God in these verses opens the reason why he would not have the prophet marry nor multiply relations. In evil and calamitous times, those who multiply relations do but multiply sorrows and afflictions to themselves; the apostle in evil times tells the Corinthians that married persons should have trouble in the flesh, ; and Christ pronounceth a woe to those that should be with child, and to those that gave suck, at the time when Jerusalem should be besieged. God tells the prophet he was resolved that the people of this land, both young and old, should die miserable deaths, and die so fast, that there should be none to bury them. They should die by the sword and the famine, and be devoured by the fowls and the beasts; and therefore it was better for him to abide free from relations, for whose miseries he would be as much concerned as for his own affliction.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:4

Jeremiah 16:4 They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.Ver. 4. They shall die of grievous deaths.] Heb., Death of diseases or grievances, as did Jehoram, and Philip II of Spain, &c.; they shall die piecemeal, morte valetudinariorum, by death of the sickrooms, which is a misery, especially if the disease be slow, and yet sharp, as some are. They shall not be lamented nor buried.] Which are two of the usual dues of the dead.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:4

(4) Of grievous deaths.—Literally, deaths from diseases, including, perhaps, famine (as in Jeremiah 14:18), as contrasted with the more immediate work of the sword. They shall not be lamented.—Among a people who attached such importance to the due observance of funeral obsequies as the Jews did, the neglect of those obsequies was, of course, here, as in Jeremiah 22:18, a symptom of extremest misery. Like features have presented themselves in the pestilences or sieges of other cities and other times, as in the description in Lucretius (vi. 1278) :— “Nec mos ille sepulturæ remanebat in urbe, Quo pius hic populus semper consuerat humari.” “No more the customed rites of sepulture Were practised in the city, such as wont Of old to tend the dead with reverent care.” Compare the account of the plague at Athens in Thucydides (ii. 52).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:4

Verse 4. They shall die of grievious deaths] All prematurely; see Jeremiah 14:16. As dung upon the face of the earth] See Jeremiah 8:2. Be meat for the fowls] See Jeremiah 7:33.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 16:4

4. grievous deaths] lit. as mg. deaths of sicknesses. they shall not be lamented, neither shall they be buried] We may compare the condition of things in the plague at Athens b.c. 430: “Such was the state of dismay and sorrow, that even the nearest relatives neglected the sepulchral duties … the dead and dying lay piled upon one another not merely in the public roads, but even in the temples.… Those bodies which escaped entire neglect were burnt or buried without the customary mourning and with unseemly carelessness.” Grote’s Hist. of Greece, ch. 49. See Thucyd. II. 52.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:4

4. Grievous deaths — Literally, deaths of sicknesses; suggesting the manifold forms which death takes in war and famine.

Sermons on Jeremiah 16:4

	Sermon	Description
	Social Conditions by Arno Clemens Gaebelein	Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the alarming increase in the consumption of cigarettes and intoxicants, despite the efforts of reformers and prohibitionists, revealing the na
	Psalm 79 by Henry Law	Henry Law preaches about the desolation of Jerusalem and the distress of the Israelites as they witness the ruins of their beloved city and Temple, leading them to seek mercy from

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