Jeremiah 9:1
Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יִתֵּ֤ן
Oh that
H5414
יִתֵּ֤ן
Oh that
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
רֹאשִׁי֙
my head
H7218
רֹאשִׁי֙
my head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 14
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
מַ֔יִם
were waters
H4325
מַ֔יִם
were waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
4 of 14
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וְעֵינִ֖י
and mine eyes
H5869
וְעֵינִ֖י
and mine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
5 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מְק֣וֹר
a fountain
H4726
מְק֣וֹר
a fountain
Strong's:
H4726
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);
וָלַ֔יְלָה
and night
H3915
וָלַ֔יְלָה
and night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַֽלְלֵ֥י
for the slain
H2491
חַֽלְלֵ֥י
for the slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
12 of 14
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
Cross References
Isaiah 22:4Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.Jeremiah 13:17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.Lamentations 2:11Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.Jeremiah 6:26O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
Historical Context
This verse is sometimes numbered as Jeremiah 8:23 in Hebrew Bibles, showing ancient chapter divisions differed. The verse responds to the previous chapter's prophetic announcements and personal anguish. Jeremiah's weeping contrasts sharply with the hardened, shameless leaders described earlier. His grief authenticates his message and reveals that true prophecy, even of judgment, flows from broken-hearted love rather than vindictive anger.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jeremiah's overwhelming grief model appropriate response to sin's devastating consequences?
- What does this verse teach about the emotional cost of faithful ministry that proclaims difficult truth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse opens chapter 9 with Jeremiah's famous lament: 'Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!' The Hebrew imagery is extravagant—wishing his head were a reservoir (mayim, מַיִם, waters) and his eyes a spring (maqor, מָקוֹר, fountain) of perpetual tears. 'Day and night' (yomam valaylah) indicates continuous, exhausting grief. 'The slain of the daughter of my people' (chalalei bat-ammi, חַלְלֵי בַּת־עַמִּי) refers to those killed in coming judgment. Jeremiah wishes he could weep proportionally to the tragedy—but human tears cannot match divine judgment's magnitude. This verse gave Jeremiah his title 'the weeping prophet.'