Jeremiah 16

Jeremiah 16:2

Place. It was going to be destroyed, and the cares of a family might interrupt the prophet. The Fathers believe that Jeremias never married, (see St. Jerome in chap. xxii. Isidor.) which was then a rare example. (Calmet) — He always lived a single life, and not only in time of tribulation. (St. Jerome, contra Jov. 1.) (Worthington) — The Church enforces this law of God for her sacred ministers, in subdeacons and the higher orders. St. Paul shews the propriety of such a regulation, (1 Corinthians vii.) which innovators deem unnatural and tyrannical. How then could God enforce it once? With his grace we may observe celibacy like Jeremias. (Haydock)

Jeremiah 16:4

Illnesses, denoting God’s wrath. (St. Jerome) — Earth. The privation of sepulture was accounted one of the greatest evils.

Jeremiah 16:5

Feasting: usual at burials for all relations. (Calmet) — This custom reduced many to poverty. (Josephus, Jewish Wars ii. 1.) — Sed c'e6nam funerish'e6res Negliget iratus quod rem curtaverit. (Pers. vi.) — Mourn, if thou shouldst meet a funeral, Luke vii. 32.

Jeremiah 16:6

Cut. Moses prohibited this being done in honour of Adonis, Leviticus xix. 27., Deuteronomy xiv. 1., and Ezechiel xxvii. 31. “The custom of cutting the arms and hair still subsists in Judea,” says St. Jerome; and in other countries. (Plut.[Plutarch?] Herodotus iv. 71.)

Jeremiah 16:7

Cup. Most exquisite things were sent on such occasions. (Buxtorf, Syn. xxxv.) (Proverbs xxxi. 6., Tobias iv. 18., and John xi. 19.)

Jeremiah 16:8

Feasting. Hebrew, “of drinking,” in times of joy.

Jeremiah 16:12

Fathers. Hence you are justly partakers of their punishment, Matthew xxiii. 32. (Calmet) — A continuance in sin brings on severe punishments; after which, God again shews mercy. (Worthington)

Jeremiah 16:13

Gods. Elohim, “masters,” &c., chap. xvii. 4. Chaldean, “idolatrous nations.”

Jeremiah 16:15

Fathers. He joins consolation with distressing predictions, and alludes to the redemption of mankind, of which the return of the Jews was the most striking pledge.

Jeremiah 16:16

Rocks. They shall be found in all their lurking places, Ezechiel xii. 12., and Habacuc i. 4. (Calmet) — The apostles shall save them. (Origen) — The Medes and Persians shall grant them liberty; or rather Nabuchodonosor shall fish at first, and afterwards hunt or destroy more of the Jews. (Calmet) — Apostolical men (Worthington) shall be like rocks, (St. Jerome) for the protection of their hearers.

Jeremiah 16:18

Double: enormous. (Haydock) (Chap. xvii. 18.) — I will punish them doubly. — Carcasses. So he styles the victims, or idols, the representations of dead men.

Jeremiah 16:19

Them. After the captivity many were converted, Esther viii., and 1 Esdras vi. 21. Edom was forced to receive circumcision. But this was nothing in comparison with the crowds which embraced the gospel.

Jeremiah 16:20

Make gods. This consideration alone suffices to shew their absurdity. (Calmet) — “Man must now be merciful to god!” (Tertullian, Apol.) — No one can make even a man, much less a god. (St. Jerome) (Worthington)

Jeremiah 16:21

CHAPTER XVI.

Power, in taking vengeance on idolatry. — Lord. “He who is;” (Calmet) Jehova. (Haydock)