Jeremiah 16:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The coming death will be universal, affecting all classes, and normal mourning practices will not occur.
The Context of Jeremiah 16:6
Universal judgment will prevent mourning practices.
What Does Jeremiah 16:6 Mean?
Death will strike indiscriminately—both great and small, meaning leaders and commoners, rich and poor. The complete description of absent mourning practices reinforces the totality of destruction. Cutting the body and shaving the head were customary expressions of grief in ancient Israel, yet none of these will take place because of the overwhelming scope of death.
When so many die simultaneously—in warfare, famine, or plague—normal funeral customs become impossible. The sheer number of dead and the chaos of judgment prevent the structured grieving that would ordinarily honor the deceased and process loss.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 16:6
What does Jeremiah 16:6 mean?
The coming death will be universal, affecting all classes, and normal mourning practices will not occur.
What is the context of Jeremiah 16:6?
Universal judgment will prevent mourning practices.