Jeremiah 16:3-4

[3] For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers them in this land; [4] They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

What is the context of Jeremiah 16:3-4?

Jeremiah Forbidden to Marry (Jeremiah 16:1-4 true)
No Marriage for Jeremiah (Jeremiah 16:1-9 true)
Jeremiah’s Lifestyle and Message (Jeremiah 16:1-13 true)
Distresses Foretold (Jeremiah 16:1-13 true)
Jeremiah is Commanded Not to Marry (Jeremiah 16:1-13 true)
Famine, Sword, and Death (Jeremiah 16:1-13 true)
The Lord’s Instruction to His Prophet (Jeremiah 16:1-21 true)
Day of Disaster (Jeremiah 16:1-21 true)

What does Jeremiah 16:3-4 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The reason for this command was that the people living in Judah then were soon going to die horrible deaths. The exile was imminent.

"Jeremiah married no one, signifying the end of the relationship between the people and the Lord, and had no children, signifying the resulting destitution." ^[1]

Perhaps the Lord also wanted to spare Jeremiah the sorrow of seeing his wife and children die horrible deaths. The sorrow and grief connected with the Babylonian invasion would be much greater than the joys of family life if he were to marry and father children.