Jeremiah 16:6

Jeremiah 16:6 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“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.

King James Version KJV

Both the great and the 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:

American Standard Version ASV

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;

Bible in Basic English BBE

Death will overtake great as well as small in the land: their bodies will not be put in a resting-place, and no one will be weeping for them or wounding themselves or cutting off their hair for them:

Free Bible Version FBV

Everyone, from the most important to the least, will die in this country. They will not be buried or mourned; there will be no rites for the dead such as cutting oneself or shaving of heads.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Both the great, and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them nor cut themselues, nor make themselues balde for them.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And died have great and small in this land, They are not buried, and none lament for them, Nor doth any cut himself, nor become bald for them.

World English Bible WEB

Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried. Men won’t lament for them, cut themselves, or make themselves bald for them.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Both the great and the 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:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Both the great and the little shall die in the land: they shall not be buried nor lamented, and men shall not cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them.

Translation for Translators T4T

Very many people will die in this land, including those who are important and those who are not important. And no one will mourn for them, or even bury their corpses. No one will cut himself or shave his head to show that he is very sad.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 16:6

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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 16:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּ/מֵ֨תוּ גְדֹלִ֧ים וּ/קְטַנִּ֛ים בָּ/אָ֥רֶץ הַ/זֹּ֖את לֹ֣א יִקָּבֵ֑רוּ וְ/לֹֽא יִסְפְּד֣וּ לָ/הֶ֔ם וְ/לֹ֣א יִתְגֹּדַ֔ד וְ/לֹ֥א יִקָּרֵ֖חַ לָ/הֶֽם

וּ/מֵ֨תוּ mûwth H4191 to die Conj | V-Qal-3cp

גְדֹלִ֧ים gâdôwl H1419 Great (Sea) Adj

וּ/קְטַנִּ֛ים qâṭân H6996 small Conj | Adj

בָּ/אָ֥רֶץ ʼerets H776 land Prep | N-cs

הַ/זֹּ֖את zôʼth H2063 this Art | Pron

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part

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

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יִסְפְּד֣וּ çâphad H5594 to mourn V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

לָ/הֶ֔ם Prep | Suff

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יִתְגֹּדַ֔ד gâdad H1413 to cut V-r-Imperf-3ms

וְ/לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יִקָּרֵ֖חַ qârach H7139 to make bald V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

לָ/הֶֽם Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 16:6

וּ/מֵ֨תוּ mûwth H4191 "to die" Conj | V-Qal-3cp

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.

גְדֹלִ֧ים gâdôwl H1419 "Great (Sea)" Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.

Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)

Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.

וּ/קְטַנִּ֛ים qâṭân H6996 "small" Conj | Adj

This Hebrew word means something or someone small in size, amount, or importance. It can describe something as little or least, and is often used to convey a sense of youth or insignificance. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: young, small, unimportant Another spelling of qa.ton (קָטֹן ": small" H6996B)

Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing), young(-er, -est). See also: Genesis 1:16; 1 Kings 22:31; Psalms 104:25.

בָּ/אָ֥רֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Prep | 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.

הַ/זֹּ֖את zôʼth H2063 "this" Art | Pron

This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.

לֹ֣א 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.

יִקָּבֵ֑רוּ 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.

וְ/לֹֽא 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.

יִסְפְּד֣וּ çâphad H5594 "to mourn" V-Qal-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.

לָ/הֶ֔ם "" Prep | Suff

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.

יִתְגֹּדַ֔ד gâdad H1413 "to cut" V-r-Imperf-3ms

To cut or crowd is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, which can also mean to gather in troops or attack, as seen in its Aramaic equivalent 'gedad'.

Definition: 1) to penetrate, cut, attack, invade 1a) (Qal) to penetrate, cut into 1b)(Hithpoel) 1b1) to cut oneself 1b2) to gather in troops or crowds Aramaic equivalent: ge.dad (גְּדַד "to chop" H1414)

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: assemble (selves by troops), gather (selves together, self in troops), cut selves. See also: Deuteronomy 14:1; Jeremiah 16:6; Psalms 94:21.

וְ/לֹ֥א 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.

יִקָּרֵ֖חַ qârach H7139 "to make bald" V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

To make bald, or shave the head, often as a sign of mourning or devotion, as seen in Isaiah's prophecy and Ezekiel's actions.

Definition: 1) to be bald, make bald 1a) (Qal) to make bald, make a baldness 1b) (Niphal) to make oneself bald 1c) (Hiphil) to make oneself bald 1d)(Hophal) to make bald

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: make (self) bald. See also: Leviticus 21:5; Ezekiel 27:31; Jeremiah 16:6.

לָ/הֶֽם "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Jeremiah 16:6

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Jeremiah 16:6 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 16:6
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 16:6
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 16:6
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 16:6
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6
Sermons on Jeremiah 16:6

Context — Disaster Predicted

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.

7No 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. 8You must not enter a house where there is feasting and sit down with them to eat and drink.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 14:1	You are sons of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead,
2	Jeremiah 41:5	eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their garments, and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, carrying grain offerings and frankincense for the house of the LORD.
3	Jeremiah 47:5	The people of Gaza will shave their heads in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. O remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourself?
4	Leviticus 19:28	You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.
5	Jeremiah 48:37	For every head is shaved and every beard is clipped; on every hand is a gash, and around every waist is sackcloth.
6	Isaiah 22:12	On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.
7	Jeremiah 13:13	then you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land—the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the people of Jerusalem.
8	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.
9	Ezekiel 9:5–6	And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.
10	Isaiah 9:14–17	So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day. The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up. Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Jeremiah 16:6 Summary

This verse is saying that when God judges a people, everyone will be affected, no matter how important or unimportant they are. It also means that the people will not be able to mourn or show respect for their dead, as they normally would. This is because God is removing His peace and compassion from them, as stated in Jeremiah 16:5. This verse reminds us that God is a God of justice and righteousness, as seen in Psalm 89:14, and that we should seek to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as seen in Proverbs 10:9.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why will both great and small die in this land?

According to Jeremiah 16:6, both great and small will die in this land as a result of God's judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 4:4, where it is written that they will die from deadly diseases and be finished off by sword and famine.

What does it mean that they will not be buried or mourned?

This means that the people will not be given the usual respect and care after death, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:26, where it is written that the bodies of the wicked will be food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.

Why will no one cut himself or shave his head for them?

In ancient times, cutting oneself or shaving one's head was a sign of mourning, as seen in Deuteronomy 14:1, but in this case, God is withholding even this small act of sympathy and compassion, as stated in Jeremiah 16:5, where He says He has removed His peace, loving devotion, and compassion from this people.

How does this verse relate to God's character?

This verse shows that God is a God of justice and righteousness, as seen in Psalm 89:14, where it is written that righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne, and that He will not tolerate sin and rebellion forever, as stated in Jeremiah 16:5.

Reflection Questions

What does this verse reveal about the severity of God's judgment on those who reject Him?
How does this verse make you think about the importance of honoring and respecting the dead, as seen in Genesis 23:2 and Genesis 50:10?
What does it mean for you personally that God is a God of justice and righteousness, as seen in this verse and in Psalm 89:14?
How can you apply the lesson of this verse to your own life, in terms of seeking to live a life that is pleasing to God, as seen in Proverbs 10:9?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 16:6

Both the great and the small shall die in this land,.... 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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 16:6

Both the great and the 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: Nor cut themselves -

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6

There shall so many of all ranks and sizes die in this land, that men shall have no time to bury them, or there shall not be enough left living to bury the dead; nor shall men, for their own miseries, have leisure to lament for the miseries of other men. Cutting themselves in their flesh, and cutting off their hair, were pagan customs, which God forbade his own people; but yet it should seem they practised these barbarous customs; but saith God, I will put an end to that practice, men shall die so fast and in such multitudes, as they shall have no leisure to cut themselves for such as are dead, they shall not have such solemn mournings as they have had.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6

Jeremiah 16:6 Both the great and the 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:Ver. 6. Both the great and the small shall die.] Princes and peasants, lords and lowlies together. Nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald.] Neque caedetur neque calvabitur. This they had learned of the heathen, and would needs use it, though flatly forbidden them. Now they were told that they should have little either lust or leisure to do any such matter.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6

(6) Nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald.—Both practices were forbidden by the Law (Leviticus 19:28; Leviticus 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1), probably in order to draw a line of demarcation between Israel and the nations round, among whom such practices prevailed (1 Kings 18:28). Both, however, seem to have been common, and probably had gained in frequency under Ahaz and Manasseh (Jeremiah 7:29; Jeremiah 41:5; Ezekiel 7:18; Amos 8:10; Micah 1:16). The “baldness” (i.e., shaving the crown of the head) seems to have been the more common of the two.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6

Verse 6. Nor cut themselves] A custom of the heathen forbidden to the Jews, Leviticus 19:28; Deuteronomy 14:1, and which appears now to have prevailed among them; because, having become idolaters, they conformed to all the customs of the heathen. They tore their hair, rent their garments, cut their hands, arms, and faces. These were not only signs of sorrow, but were even supposed to give ease to the dead, and appease the angry deities. The Hindoos, on the death of a relation, express their grief by loud lamentations, and not unfrequently bruise themselves in an agony of grief with whatever they can lay hold on.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 16:6

6. nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald] practices common among semi-civilized races. For both together, as here, cp. Jeremiah 47:5; for the former, Jeremiah 41:5, and perhaps (see C.B.) Hosea 7:14; for the latter, Isaiah 3:24; Isaiah 15:2; Isaiah 22:12; Ezekiel 7:18; Amos 8:10; Micah 1:16. They are forbidden Leviticus 19:28; Leviticus 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1. The former of these practices represented the custom of human sacrifices as a propitiation to the spirit of the departed. Herodotus (IV. 71) describes the funeral rites of a Scythian king as requiring no less than six human victims.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 16:6

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.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 16:6

6. Nor cut themselves… make themselves bald — Forms of mourning strictly forbidden in the law, (see Leviticus 19:28; Leviticus 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1,) but, as it would seem, much practised.

Sermons on Jeremiah 16:6

	Sermon	Description
	Body Piercing - a Return to Paganism by Peter Hammond	Peter Hammond preaches on the importance of Christians being set apart and holy, contrasting the worldly trend of body modification with the biblical call to honor God with our bod
	Guidelines for the Godly Man by Eli Brayley	Eli Brayley preaches on the calling of the man of God to live a life of full consecration, obedience, and service unto the Kingdom of God. The purpose of the man of God is to confo
	The Amaturisation of Missions by Peter Hammond	Peter Hammond addresses the concerning trend of the amateurization of missions, highlighting the influx of untrained, ill-equipped, and short-term 'missionaries' who often hinder r
	The Burden of the Valley of Vision by Chuck Smith	In this video, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the concept of the "Burden of the Valley of Vision" as mentioned in Isaiah 22. He explains that this burden refers to a prophecy of the
	Awake to Righteousness and Sin Not by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the speaker recounts the powerful preaching of Jimmy Stewart, accompanied by William Fetler as his interpreter. They traveled through Eastern Europe, spreading the
	In Time of War by Samuel Davies	Samuel Davies preaches a powerful sermon on the Valley of Vision, using the prophecy in Isaiah to warn about the impending danger faced by Jerusalem due to their sins and lack of r
	The Sin of Pride, Nimrod by Shane Idleman	Shane Idleman emphasizes the destructive nature of pride, identifying it as the root cause of many personal and relational issues, including conflicts in marriages and workplaces.