Jeremiah 16:7 - Men won’t break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead. Men won’t give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
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What does "Jeremiah 16:7" mean?
This verse, Jeremiah 16:7, speaks to a severe lack of empathy and communal support during a time of profound loss. Let's break down the key elements:
"Men won't break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead":
"Breaking bread": This phrase refers to sharing a meal, a common expression of sympathy and solidarity in ancient cultures (and even today). Offering food to the bereaved was a practical way to sustain them during a difficult time and a symbolic gesture of support.
"In mourning, to comfort them for the dead": The purpose of sharing the meal was specifically to console and support those grieving a loss.
Overall meaning: People would refuse to participate in the traditional act of providing a meal to those mourning a death. This signifies a deep societal breakdown in compassion and care for others during times of grief.
"Men won't give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother":
"Cup of consolation": This likely refers to a drink (wine or another beverage) offered to mourners to help ease their sorrow. It was a symbol of sympathy and a way to offer some small solace during their grief.
"For their father or for their mother": This emphasizes that the lack of support extends to even the most profound loss, the death of a parent.
Overall meaning: The refusal to offer the "cup of consolation" further underscores the absence of empathy and the breakdown of traditional customs that provided comfort to the bereaved.
In the context of Jeremiah:
Jeremiah was a prophet who warned the people of Judah about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and exile due to their sins and unfaithfulness to God. This verse in chapter 16 is part of a broader message about the severity of the coming judgment.
Interpretation:
The refusal to offer these basic acts of comfort signifies several things:
1. Extreme hardship and despair: The coming judgment would be so severe that people would be overwhelmed by their own suffering and unable to care for others.
2. Loss of community and compassion: The social fabric would be so broken that traditional acts of kindness and support would cease to exist. People would be isolated in their grief.
3. Divine judgment: The absence of compassion is a consequence of the people's sin and God's judgment on their unfaithfulness.
In summary, Jeremiah 16:7 depicts a situation where societal norms of compassion and support for the bereaved are completely absent. This is not just about a lack of etiquette; it represents a profound breakdown of community, a sign of overwhelming despair, and a consequence of divine judgment.
Jeremiah 16:7 - Men won’t break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead. Men won’t give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
What does "Jeremiah 16:7" mean?
This verse, Jeremiah 16:7, speaks to a severe lack of empathy and communal support during a time of profound loss. Let's break down the key elements:
"Men won't break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead":
"Breaking bread": This phrase refers to sharing a meal, a common expression of sympathy and solidarity in ancient cultures (and even today). Offering food to the bereaved was a practical way to sustain them during a difficult time and a symbolic gesture of support.
"In mourning, to comfort them for the dead": The purpose of sharing the meal was specifically to console and support those grieving a loss.
Overall meaning: People would refuse to participate in the traditional act of providing a meal to those mourning a death. This signifies a deep societal breakdown in compassion and care for others during times of grief.
"Men won't give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother":
"Cup of consolation": This likely refers to a drink (wine or another beverage) offered to mourners to help ease their sorrow. It was a symbol of sympathy and a way to offer some small solace during their grief.
"For their father or for their mother": This emphasizes that the lack of support extends to even the most profound loss, the death of a parent.
Overall meaning: The refusal to offer the "cup of consolation" further underscores the absence of empathy and the breakdown of traditional customs that provided comfort to the bereaved.
In the context of Jeremiah:
Jeremiah was a prophet who warned the people of Judah about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and exile due to their sins and unfaithfulness to God. This verse in chapter 16 is part of a broader message about the severity of the coming judgment.
Interpretation:
The refusal to offer these basic acts of comfort signifies several things:
1. Extreme hardship and despair: The coming judgment would be so severe that people would be overwhelmed by their own suffering and unable to care for others.
2. Loss of community and compassion: The social fabric would be so broken that traditional acts of kindness and support would cease to exist. People would be isolated in their grief.
3. Divine judgment: The absence of compassion is a consequence of the people's sin and God's judgment on their unfaithfulness.
In summary, Jeremiah 16:7 depicts a situation where societal norms of compassion and support for the bereaved are completely absent. This is not just about a lack of etiquette; it represents a profound breakdown of community, a sign of overwhelming despair, and a consequence of divine judgment.