Keraia
Jeremiah 9

Jeremiah 9:17

A Lament over Zion · Jeremiah 9:1–26
Read Jeremiah 9

Translations

Modern
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Take note, and summon the wailing women; send for the most skillful among them.
Traditional
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:
Literal
Thus says YHWH of Hosts: “Consider, and call for the wailing women, that they may come; and send for the skillful women, that they may come!
Latin
Hæc dicit Dominus exercituum, Deus Israël: Contemplamini, et vocate lamentatrices, et veniant: et ad eas quæ sapientes sunt mittite, et properent:

Original

Hebrew
English
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Take note, and summon the wailing women; send for the most skillful among them.

Notes

Jeremiah 9:17

The Lord instructed the people to gather the professional mourners. These individuals often performed at funerals in the ancient Near East (see Amos 5:16; Mark 5:38).

Jeremiah 9:17–26

This series includes four short poems and a brief prose passage. They are messages from the Lord, likely delivered to the people of Judah by Jeremiah. Three poems describe the effects of the Lord's judgment on the people. The fourth poem offers encouragement. The prose section predicts doom for Judah and its neighboring nations.

Jeremiah 8:18–9:26

The priests in the Temple memorized and repeated prayers as part of their rituals. They believed using the exact words was crucial; otherwise, the prayers lost their magical power. The character of the priests saying the prayers was not very important. This was also true for lamentations. In contrast, Jeremiah's prayers and lamentations were spontaneous and deeply personal.

Theme notes and profiles

The New Covenant

Events

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Book of Jeremiah Funeral Customs Grief Jeremiah (Person) Mourning

Topics

Burial: Attended by Hired Mourners Mourning: Hired Mourners Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments The Dead: Mourning For, often by Hired Mourners War: Evils of Woman: Often Engaged in Attending Funerals As Mourners