Jeremiah 9:17 - Yahweh of Armies says, “Consider, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the skillful women, that they may come.

Generated Verse: Jeremiah 9:17

What does "Jeremiah 9:17" mean?


This verse from Jeremiah 9:17 is part of a larger passage where Jeremiah is lamenting the impending destruction of Judah and Jerusalem. It speaks to the depth of the tragedy and the expected mourning that should accompany it. Let's break it down:

"Yahweh of Armies says": This is a significant introductory phrase. It emphasizes that the message is coming directly from God, the powerful commander of the heavenly hosts. It gives the words authority and weight.

"Consider, and call for the mourning women, that they may come": God is commanding them to consider the situation, to truly understand the severity of the coming disaster. Then, they are to call for the mourning women. In ancient cultures, professional mourners were hired to wail, lament, and express grief during funerals and other times of significant loss. Their role was to publicly and dramatically express the sorrow that others might be feeling privately or unable to express themselves.

"and send for the skillful women, that they may come.": This refers to mourners who were particularly skilled in their craft. These weren't just any mourners; they were the best, the most effective at evoking grief and sorrow. They likely knew specific dirges (songs of lamentation) and had perfected the art of expressing sorrow in a way that would move others deeply. They were artists of grief.

Overall Meaning:

The verse means that the situation is so dire, so devastating, that God is calling for a profound and public display of mourning. It's not enough to just be sad internally. The destruction that is coming requires a full-throated expression of grief, led by professionals who can set the tone for the entire community.

Here are some key takeaways:

Severity of the situation: The need for professional mourners highlights the extreme seriousness of the coming disaster.
Public expression of grief: Grief is not meant to be suppressed but expressed openly.
Symbolic action: Calling for the mourning women is a symbolic act, representing the deep sorrow and devastation that Judah will experience.
God's directive: God is not just observing the tragedy, He is directing the people to mourn appropriately. This emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and responding to the gravity of the situation.

Essentially, God is saying, "Things are about to get so bad, that you need the best mourners to lead the lament. This isn't just a little sadness; this is a national catastrophe requiring a profound expression of grief."

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