Jeremiah 15:9
She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
יֹלֶ֣דֶת
She that hath borne
H3205
יֹלֶ֣דֶת
She that hath borne
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
2 of 18
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
הַשִּׁבְעָ֗ה
seven
H7651
הַשִּׁבְעָ֗ה
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
3 of 18
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
נָפְחָ֥ה
she hath given up
H5301
נָפְחָ֥ה
she hath given up
Strong's:
H5301
Word #:
4 of 18
to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire; figuratively, to disesteem)
נַפְשָׁ֛הּ
the ghost
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֛הּ
the ghost
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
שִׁמְשָׁ֛הּ
her sun
H8121
שִׁמְשָׁ֛הּ
her sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
7 of 18
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
בְּעֹ֥ד
H5750
בְּעֹ֥ד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בּ֣וֹשָׁה
she hath been ashamed
H954
בּ֣וֹשָׁה
she hath been ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
וְחָפֵ֑רָה
and confounded
H2659
וְחָפֵ֑רָה
and confounded
Strong's:
H2659
Word #:
11 of 18
to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach
וּשְׁאֵֽרִיתָ֗ם
and the residue
H7611
וּשְׁאֵֽרִיתָ֗ם
and the residue
Strong's:
H7611
Word #:
12 of 18
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
לַחֶ֧רֶב
to the sword
H2719
לַחֶ֧רֶב
to the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
13 of 18
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
אֶתֵּ֛ן
of them will I deliver
H5414
אֶתֵּ֛ן
of them will I deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
1 Samuel 2:5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.Isaiah 47:9But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.Lamentations 1:1How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!
Historical Context
Seven children represented covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 28:4, 11); losing them all represented covenant curse (Deuteronomy 28:18, 32, 41). Siege conditions produced exactly this: mothers watching children starve, die of disease, or fall to enemy swords. Lamentations 2:11-12, 19-20 describes mothers and children dying together during Jerusalem's siege.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the mother of seven losing everything symbolize blessing-to-curse reversal?
- What does 'sun going down while yet day' express about premature, unexpected tragedy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes maternal devastation: 'She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day.' A woman who bore seven children—symbol of complete blessing (Ruth 4:15, 1 Samuel 2:5)—now 'languishes' (amlela). 'Given up the ghost' (naphcha nafshah) means she has expired—mother dies after children. 'Her sun is gone down while yet day'—premature end, life cut short when it should continue. 'She hath been ashamed and confounded' (boshah vechaphera). 'And the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.' Any survivors face further sword judgment. The imagery is of complete family destruction—mothers and children, blessing reversed to curse.