Jeremiah 14:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people deceived by false prophets will perish in the streets without burial, and their entire families will share the fate.
The Context of Jeremiah 14:16
The people deceived by false prophets face death without proper burial, along with their families.
What Does Jeremiah 14:16 Mean?
Those who believed the false prophets fare no better than the prophets themselves. Famine and sword will kill them in the streets of Jerusalem, where their bodies lie without burial. In ancient understanding, to be unburied was a final indignity, cutting off proper passage to the afterlife. The families—wives, sons, daughters—are not spared; all die together.
This shows the ripple effects of spiritual deception. The false prophets bear guilt, but those who trusted their lies also face consequences. God 'pours their wickedness upon them'—the judgment strikes both deceivers and deceived. Yet the emphasis on the false prophets' responsibility suggests that those led astray bear less culpability than those who led them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 14:16
What does Jeremiah 14:16 mean?
The people deceived by false prophets will perish in the streets without burial, and their entire families will share the fate.
What is the context of Jeremiah 14:16?
The people deceived by false prophets face death without proper burial, along with their families.