Jeremiah 9:18
And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
Original Language Analysis
וּתְמַהֵ֕רְנָה
And let them make haste
H4116
וּתְמַהֵ֕רְנָה
And let them make haste
Strong's:
H4116
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
וְתִשֶּׂ֥נָה
and take up
H5375
וְתִשֶּׂ֥נָה
and take up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
2 of 10
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עָלֵ֖ינוּ
H5921
עָלֵ֖ינוּ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְתֵרַ֤דְנָה
may run down
H3381
וְתֵרַ֤דְנָה
may run down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
5 of 10
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
עֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙
for us that our eyes
H5869
עֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙
for us that our eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
6 of 10
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְעַפְעַפֵּ֖ינוּ
and our eyelids
H6079
וְעַפְעַפֵּ֖ינוּ
and our eyelids
Strong's:
H6079
Word #:
8 of 10
an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning ray
Cross References
Jeremiah 14:17Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.Jeremiah 9:1Oh 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!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.
Historical Context
The mourning women's function included teaching survivors how to grieve, leading ritual expressions of loss, and ensuring the dead received proper honor. Verse 20 commands teaching daughters this skill, suggesting generational transmission of mourning expertise. The inability to mourn naturally—requiring professional help—may indicate the spiritual numbness described earlier (8:12).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the need for professional mourners to stimulate grief reveal about the people's spiritual condition?
- How does authentic grief over sin differ from the induced weeping described here?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse continues the summons: 'And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us.' The Hebrew mahar (מָהַר, hasten, hurry) and nehi (נְהִי, lamentation) indicate urgency—mourning must begin immediately. 'That our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.' The Hebrew imagery is extravagant: eyes 'running' (yarad, יָרַד, descend, flow) with tears, eyelids 'gushing' (nazal, נָזַל, flow, drip) water. The mourners' songs will provoke the tears the hardened people cannot otherwise produce. They need external stimulus to grieve appropriately for their coming destruction.