Scripture Spot Logo

Verse of the Day

WEB

Author Spotlight

Loading featured author...

Report Issue

See a formatting issue or error?

Let us know →

They shall die grievous deaths: they shall not be lamented, neither shall they be buried; they shall be as dung on the surface 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 sky, and for the animals of the earth.

Verse Takeaways

1

The Anatomy of a Total Collapse

Commentators explain that the 'grievous deaths' refer not just to the sword, but to slow, agonizing deaths from disease and famine. The subsequent lack of burial and mourning—a profound dishonor in Jewish culture—was not just a punishment but a sign of total societal collapse, where no one was left or able to perform these basic human rites. This paints a picture of the extreme consequences of the nation's rebellion.

See 3 Verse Takeaways

Book Overview

Jeremiah

Author

Audience

Composition

Teaching Highlights

Outline

+ 5 more

See Overview

Commentaries

4

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Jeremiah 16:4

19th Century

Bishop

Of grievous deaths. —Literally, deaths from diseases, including, perhaps, famine (), as contrasted with the more immediat…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Jeremiah 16:1–4

16th Century

Theologian

This is a new discourse, which still is not unlike many others, except in this particular, that the Prophet was not to marry a wife nor beget c…

John Gill

John Gill

On Jeremiah 16:4

17th Century

Pastor

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

Premium

Go Ad-Free

Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Jeremiah 16:1–9

17th Century

Minister

The prophet must conduct himself as one who expected to see his country ruined very shortly. Anticipating sad times, he is to abstain from marriage…