Jeremiah 9:17-19
Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider, and call for the mourning women to come; send for the skillful women to come; let them make haste and raise a wailing over us, that our eyes may run down with tears and our eyelids flow with water. For a sound of wailing is heard from Zion: ‘How we are ruined! We are utterly shamed, because we have left the land, because they have cast down our dwellings.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text calls for "mourning women" and "skillful women," highlighting that in ancient times, lamentation at funerals was a specialized, paid profession. These were trained artists in expressing grief, not just ordinary people feeling sad, and God ironically summons them to demonstrate the magnitude of the coming national disaster.
God declares that a devastating judgment is coming upon Judah, so severe that it calls for professional mourners. He instructs Jeremiah to summon these hired women, skilled in wailing and lamentation, as if preparing for a funeral, to express the profound grief that the nation itself cannot fully muster. This imagery highlights the scale of the impending destruction and the deep sorrow it will bring, far beyond ordinary sadness.
Imagine a professional mourner, skilled in evoking tears. This wasn't just about sadness; it was a craft.
The verse calls for "mourning women" and "cunning women." This refers to hired professionals who specialized in funeral rites. These women weren't simply attendees; they were artists of sorrow.
Their Role:
Why would God command the hiring of mourners for an entire nation? What does this reveal about the coming judgment?
Jeremiah isn't just describing a cultural practice; he's using it as a powerful metaphor for the impending devastation of Judah. The Lord commands these professional mourners to be called because the sin and judgment facing the nation are so immense that ordinary grief will not suffice.
The Deeper Meaning:
Understand the original words
tsaba' · Hebrew Noun
The divine title 'YHWH of Armies' or 'LORD of Hosts'. It emphasizes God’s supreme authority over all heavenly and earthly powers, including angelic armies, and His role as the sovereign Ruler over history and nations.
misped · Hebrew Noun
A ritualized cry of sorrow or distress, typically performed by professional mourners in ancient Near Eastern culture. In Scripture, it signifies deep pain, judgment, or the mourning of a city or nation facing destruction.
Tsiyown · Hebrew Noun
The historical and theological center of Israel, Jerusalem, and the dwelling place of God’s presence. It represents the spiritual home of the people of God and, in prophecy, often serves as a focal point for both judgment and future restoration.
kelimmah · Hebrew Noun
The prophet Jeremiah calls for hired mourners, a common practice at funerals, to lament the impending national catastrophe. This imagery highlights the depth of the impending judgment, likening the destruction of Jerusalem and its people to a massive, communal funeral.
c. 627-585 BC
Jeremiah's Ministry
Jeremiah prophesies during a tumultuous period in Judah, facing the Babylonian threat and internal dissent.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports Judean nobles and skilled individuals, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's subjugation.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
A larger deportation follows, including King Jehoiachin and many other prominent citizens, further weakening Jerusalem.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and deport most of the remaining population, leading to the Babylonian Exile.
This passage speaks of 'wailers' who are 'skilful in lamentation,' directly echoing the 'cunning women' mentioned in Jeremiah, highlighting the existence of professional mourners in ancient Israel.
Matthew 9:23When Jesus encountered professional mourners at Jairus's house, he referred to them as 'the musicians and the crowd making a commotion,' showing that this practice of hired mourners was still active in the New Testament era.
2 Chronicles 35:25This verse mentions that the prophet Jeremiah 'composed laments' for Josiah, and that all the 'singing men and singing women' spoke of him in their dirges, indicating that professional mourning songs and performers were a recognized part of Israel's culture.
Ecclesiastes 12:5The imagery of 'mourners who go about in the street' for a funeral procession connects to the idea of public and even professionally orchestrated expressions of grief, fitting the context of Jeremiah's call.
cambridgeJeremiah 9:17: "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:"
17 . cunning ] i.e. skilled . Cp. Genesis 25:27 ; 1 Samuel 16:18 ; 2 Chronicles 26:15 . 17, 18 . “There are in every city and community women exceedingly cunning in this business.… When a fresh company of sympathisers comes in, these women ‘make haste’ to ‘take up a wailing’ that the newly come may the more easily unite their tears with…
barnesJeremiah 9:17: "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:"
The mourning women - Hired to attend at funerals, and by their skilled wailings aid the real mourners in giving vent to their grief. Hence, they are called "cunning," literally "wise" women, wisdom being constantly used in Scripture for anything in which people are trained.
The text calls for "mourning women" and "skillful women," highlighting that in ancient times, lamentation at funerals was a specialized, paid profession. These were trained artists in expressing grief, not just ordinary people feeling sad, and God ironically summons them to demonstrate the magnitude of the coming national disaster.
God declares that a devastating judgment is coming upon Judah, so severe that it calls for professional mourners. He instructs Jeremiah to summon these hired women, skilled in wailing and lamentation, as if preparing for a funeral, to express the profound grief that the nation itself cannot fully muster. This imagery highlights the scale of the impending destruction and the deep sorrow it will bring, far beyond ordinary sadness.
God declares that a devastating judgment is coming upon Judah, so severe that it calls for professional mourners. He instructs Jeremiah to summon these hired women, skilled in wailing and lamentation, as if preparing for a funeral, to express the profound grief that the nation itself cannot fully muster. This imagery highlights the scale of the impending destruction and the deep sorrow it will bring, far beyond ordinary sadness.
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A state of disgrace, humiliation, or dishonor, often resulting from sin or divine judgment. It represents the loss of dignity and protection that comes when a nation turns away from the covenant relationship with God.
c. 586-539 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Judean people live in exile in Babylon, a period of great sorrow and reflection on their nation's downfall.
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider, and call for the mourning women to come; send for the skillful women to come; let them make haste and raise a wailing over us, that our eyes may run down with tears and ou…" — The text calls for "mourning women" and "skillful women," highlighting that in ancient times, lamentation at funerals was a specialized, paid profession. These were trained artists in expressing grie…
