As marriage was obligatory upon the Jews, the prohibition of it to Jeremiah was a sign that the impending calamity was so great as to override all ordinary duties. Jeremiah was unmarried, but the force of the sign lay in its being an exception to the ordinary practice of the prophets.
In this place - The whole of Judaea.

Those shalt not take thee a wife - As it would be very inconvenient to have a family when the threatened desolations should come on the place. The reason is given in the following verses.

Thou shalt not take (a) thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons nor daughters in this place.
(a) Meaning that the affliction would be so horrible in Jerusalem that a wife and children would only increase his sorrow.

Thou shall not take thee a wife,.... Not because it was unlawful; for it was lawful for prophets to marry, and they did; but because it was not advisable, on account of the calamities and distresses which were coming upon the nation; which would be more bearable by him alone, than if he had a wife, which would increase his care, concern, and sorrow.
Neither shall thou have sons nor daughters in this place; in Anathoth, says Kimchi; but it is most likely that Jerusalem in particular is meant, though the whole land of Judea in general may be designed; and though nothing is more desirable than to have children to build up the family, and bear and continue a man's name for futurity, yet in times of public calamity these do but add to the affliction.

CONTINUATION OF THE PREVIOUS PROPHECY. (Jeremiah. 16:1-21)
in this place--in Judea. The direction to remain single was (whether literally obeyed, or only in prophetic vision) to symbolize the coming calamities of the Jews (Ezekiel 24:15-27) as so severe that the single state would be then (contrary to the ordinary course of things) preferable to the married (compare 1-Corinthians 7:8, 1-Corinthians 7:26, 1-Corinthians 7:29; Matthew 24:19; Luke 23:29).