Jeremiah 15:8
Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.
Original Language Analysis
עָֽצְמוּ
are increased
H6105
עָֽצְמוּ
are increased
Strong's:
H6105
Word #:
1 of 17
to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
יַמִּ֔ים
of the seas
H3220
יַמִּ֔ים
of the seas
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
5 of 17
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
הֵבֵ֨אתִי
I have brought
H935
הֵבֵ֨אתִי
I have brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֵ֛ם
upon them against the mother
H517
אֵ֛ם
upon them against the mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
9 of 17
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
בָּח֖וּר
of the young men
H970
בָּח֖וּר
of the young men
Strong's:
H970
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
שֹׁדֵ֣ד
a spoiler
H7703
שֹׁדֵ֣ד
a spoiler
Strong's:
H7703
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם
at noonday
H6672
בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם
at noonday
Strong's:
H6672
Word #:
12 of 17
a light (i.e., window); dual double light, i.e., noon
הִפַּ֤לְתִּי
I have caused him to fall
H5307
הִפַּ֤לְתִּי
I have caused him to fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
13 of 17
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
עָלֶ֙יהָ֙
H5921
עָלֶ֙יהָ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
Ancient warfare regularly left massive widow populations. Young men died in battle; women survived into widowhood. 'Spoiler at noonday' indicates attacks so bold they occur in broad daylight—no need for stealth when victory is certain. Babylon's conquest created this situation exactly: Jerusalem's young men died defending walls; their mothers became widows overnight.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'widows more than sand of the seas' indicate about warfare's human cost?
- How does 'noonday' attack emphasize the invader's overwhelming power?
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse quantifies widow suffering: 'Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas.' The Hebrew rabbu (רַבּוּ, increased, multiplied) with 'above the sand of the seas' (mechol yammim) indicates innumerable widows—mass male mortality in warfare. 'I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday.' The 'mother' (em bachur) represents families losing their young men. 'Spoiler at noonday' (shodded batsohorayim) indicates attack in broad daylight—no hiding, no escape, no night protection. 'I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.' Sudden (pitom) attack brings terror (behaloth). The psychological impact of sudden destruction compounds physical devastation.