Jeremiah 31:15

Mourning Turned to Joy · Jeremiah 31:1–25
Read Jeremiah 31

Translations

Modern
This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Traditional
Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Literal
Thus says YHWH: “A voice is heard in Ramah, wailing and weeping of bitterness—Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted over her children, because they are no more.”
Latin
Hæc dicit Dominus: Vox in excelso audita est lamentationis: luctus, et fletus Rachel plorantis filios suos, et nolentis consolari super eis, quia non sunt.

Original

Hebrew
English
This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Notes

  • Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph was the father of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh in the northern kingdom. Benjamin's descendants were in the southern kingdom. She symbolized all Israeli mothers whose children were taken into exile.

  • Matthew 2:18 refers to this verse regarding the killing of young boys in Bethlehem.

The Lord explained his future plan to rebuild a new nation from people who had suffered greatly during their long captivity.

People often call these four chapters "The Book of Consolation," a highlight in Old Testament revelation. Unlike the many judgment messages Jeremiah gave his people, these messages are full of hope and promise a wonderful future restoration.

Events

Parallels

Matthew 2:16–18

People

Rachel: Wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph and Benjamin

Places

Ramah: A town in Benjamin, near Gibeah and Jerusalem

Glossary

Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Book of Jeremiah Jesus Christ, Teachings of Promise Rachel Rachel’s Tomb Rahel Ramah Slaughter of the Innocents

Topics

Children: Grief Occasioned by Loss of Prophecies Respecting Christ: The Slaying of the Children of Bethlehem Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Rachel Weeping for Her Children Quotations and Allusions in the New Testament From, and To, the Old Testament Ramah: Called Rama: Prophecies Concerning The Dead: Mourning For, often: Very Great