Jeremiah 9:17

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, Consider {H995} ye, and call {H7121} for the mourning women {H6969}, that they may come {H935}; and send {H7971} for cunning {H2450} women, that they may come {H935}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus says ADONAI-Tzva'ot: "Mark this, then summon the mourning women, so that they will come; send for those who are best [at mourning], so that they will come:

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Take note, and summon the wailing women; send for the most skillful among them.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the skilful women, that they may come:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 9:17 is a solemn divine imperative from the LORD of hosts, commanding the people of Judah to prepare for profound national lamentation by summoning professional mourning women. This stark decree underscores the certainty and immense scale of the impending judgment and desolation that will befall the nation due to their persistent unfaithfulness, idolatry, and moral corruption. It serves as a prophetic announcement that the time for sorrow and wailing is at hand, signifying that God's patience has reached its limit and the consequences of their rebellion are unavoidable.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 9:17 is embedded within a chapter dominated by themes of profound lament, judgment, and the desolation of Judah. The prophet Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," expresses deep sorrow over the moral decay and impending destruction of his people. Preceding verses, particularly [Jeremiah 9:10-11](/jeremiah/9-10 "Jeremiah 9:10-11 - Lament and Desolation"), already speak of the land's desolation and a call for weeping, setting a somber tone. This verse intensifies the prophetic message by explicitly commanding the *orchestration* of grief, moving beyond spontaneous sorrow to a formal, societal acknowledgment of the catastrophe. The chapter as a whole paints a picture of a nation utterly lost, deserving of the severe judgment that God, in His righteousness, is about to unleash.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to "call for the mourning women" reflects a well-documented cultural practice in the ancient Near East. These women, often referred to as professional lamenters or dirge-singers, were hired for funerals and times of great public calamity to lead and intensify the communal expression of grief. Their wailing, ritualistic gestures, and mournful songs were essential for a proper, public mourning process, believed to honor the dead and express the depth of loss. Judah, at this time, was steeped in apostasy, having abandoned the covenant with Yahweh for idolatry and social injustice, as detailed throughout the book of Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7-1 "Jeremiah 7:1-15 - The Temple Sermon")). The impending judgment, often manifested through invasion and exile by powers like Babylon, would result in widespread death and destruction, necessitating such a public display of sorrow on an unprecedented national scale.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **severity of divine judgment** against persistent sin and rebellion. God's command for professional mourners underscores that the impending catastrophe is not merely a possibility but a certain and overwhelming reality, a direct consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness (cf. [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **inevitability of calamity** when a nation turns its back on God; the call for lamentation signifies that death and destruction are so widespread that they require an organized, expert response. Thirdly, it serves as a **stark call to acknowledge reality**, forcing the living to confront the dire consequences of their spiritual blindness and disobedience. The very act of summoning these women is a prophetic act, designed to awaken the people to the gravity of their national sin and the profound sorrow it will bring.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, meaning "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His relationship with His people. When used in conjunction with "of hosts," it underscores the absolute authority and power of the God who is speaking.
* **hosts (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ'_):** From H6635, meaning "a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship)." The title "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) signifies God's supreme sovereignty over all heavenly and earthly armies, forces, and powers. It declares that the decree to summon mourners comes from the Commander of all creation, whose word is absolute and whose judgments are irresistible.
* **mourning women (Hebrew, _qûwn'_):** From H6969, a primitive root meaning "to strike a musical note, i.e. chant or wail (at a funeral); lament, mourning woman." This term specifically refers to professional women skilled in the art of lamentation, hired to perform dirges and evoke intense public grief. Their summoning indicates a catastrophe of such magnitude that spontaneous mourning would be insufficient.
* **cunning (Hebrew, _châkâm'_):** From H2450, meaning "wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)." This word emphasizes the expertise and proficiency of these women in their craft. They were not merely wailers but skilled artists of sorrow, capable of orchestrating and intensifying the communal expression of grief, further highlighting the profound and widespread nature of the impending national devastation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD of hosts":** This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and absolute certainty of the message. It is not Jeremiah's personal opinion, but a direct, authoritative pronouncement from Yahweh Sabaoth, the Almighty God who commands all forces. This declaration immediately signals the gravity and inevitability of what is to follow.
* **"Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come;":** The imperative "Consider ye" (or "Reflect," "Understand") urges the people to grasp the profound implications of the command. The subsequent command to "call for the mourning women" is a chilling directive. It means that the scale of death and destruction will be so vast and overwhelming that the customary, spontaneous lamentation of families and neighbors will be insufficient. Professional mourners, experts in public grief, will be required to adequately mourn the countless dead. This is a prophetic act, designed to shock the people into realizing the depth of their impending sorrow.
* **"and send for cunning [women], that they may come:":** This reinforces the previous command, emphasizing the need to actively "send for" or dispatch messengers to bring these women. The term "cunning" (or "skillful," "wise") highlights their professional expertise in leading lamentation. It underscores that this is not a casual request but a formal, urgent summons for highly skilled individuals, further emphasizing the unprecedented nature and scale of the national calamity that is about to unfold.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 9:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and dire message. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, seen in the direct commands: "Consider ye," "call for," and "send for." These imperatives are not suggestions but divine decrees, emphasizing the absolute certainty and necessity of the actions prescribed, highlighting God's sovereign will in judgment. **Symbolism** is central, with the "mourning women" serving as a powerful symbol of the widespread death and desolation that will soon engulf Judah. Their very presence signifies an overwhelming catastrophe that demands a formal, orchestrated response of grief. The implied scale of death also borders on **Hyperbole**, suggesting a level of destruction so vast that it transcends normal mourning practices, requiring professional intervention. Furthermore, the passage uses **Anthropomorphism** by depicting God issuing commands to human agents for a human cultural practice, making His divine judgment tangible and immediate to the people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 9:17 powerfully articulates God's unwavering justice in the face of persistent rebellion and sin. It underscores the biblical truth that while God is merciful and slow to anger, He is also righteous and will not indefinitely tolerate disobedience. The command to summon professional mourners is a vivid, culturally specific illustration of the severe consequences that inevitably follow a nation's rejection of its covenant with God. This divine decree serves as a prophetic warning, not merely to Judah, but to all generations, that spiritual apathy and moral decay lead to profound sorrow and judgment. It highlights the deep grief that God Himself feels over His people's unfaithfulness, a grief that ultimately manifests in just retribution for their actions.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise of Healing and Forgiveness")
* [Lamentations 2:10](/lamentations/2-10 "Lamentations 2:10 - Elders of Zion in Mourning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 9:17, though rooted in a specific historical and cultural context, carries timeless spiritual weight. It challenges us to confront the gravity of sin, both individually and corporately, and to recognize that disobedience to God's commands carries severe consequences. The image of professional mourners being summoned should evoke a profound sense of urgency and sorrow over the spiritual condition of our own lives and societies. It calls us to cultivate a genuine, God-given sorrow for sin, not merely for its consequences, but because it grieves the heart of God and breaks His covenant. This verse compels us to heed divine warnings, to not delay in turning from sin, and to earnestly seek God's mercy and forgiveness. It reminds us that true spiritual health involves a willingness to "consider" and lament over our fallenness, allowing that sorrow to drive us to repentance and a renewed commitment to God's ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "sins" in my life or in my community might be inviting God's judgment, and how can I "consider" them more deeply?**
* **In what ways do I, or my community, need to cultivate a deeper sorrow or lament over spiritual apathy and moral decay?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment, as depicted in this verse, motivate me towards repentance and obedience?**
* **What are practical steps I can take to respond to God's warnings with urgency, rather than delay?**

### FAQ

**What was the role of "mourning women" in ancient Israelite culture?**

Answer: In ancient Israel and the broader Near East, "mourning women" (also called professional lamenters or dirge-singers) were skilled women hired to lead and intensify public expressions of grief during funerals and times of great calamity. They would wail, chant dirges, tear their clothes, and perform other ritualistic acts to evoke and amplify sorrow among the bereaved. Their presence was crucial for a proper and communal mourning process, ensuring that the deceased were adequately mourned and that the community fully acknowledged its loss. The command in [Jeremiah 9:17](/jeremiah/9-17 "Jeremiah 9:17 - Call for Mourning Women") for God's people to summon them indicates the immense scale of impending death and desolation.

**Why would God command His people to "call for" these women?**

Answer: God's command to "call for the mourning women" was a prophetic act with multiple layers of meaning. Firstly, it underscored the absolute certainty and overwhelming scale of the impending judgment. The devastation would be so vast that spontaneous grief would be insufficient; professional, organized lamentation would be required. Secondly, it served as a stark wake-up call to the living, forcing them to confront the dire reality of their situation and the consequences of their persistent rebellion against God. It was a divine decree, signaling that the time for repentance was rapidly closing, and the time for profound sorrow was at hand. This act was meant to shock the people into recognizing the gravity of their national sin and the divine retribution it would bring, as prophesied in [Jeremiah 9:11](/jeremiah/9-11 "Jeremiah 9:11 - Desolation of Jerusalem").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 9:17, with its somber call for lamentation over impending judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The deep sorrow that God commands His people to express over their sin and its consequences foreshadows the ultimate lament borne by Christ. He, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), took upon Himself the full weight of humanity's sin, becoming the object of divine judgment so that we might be spared. His agony in Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:36-46](/matthew/26-36 "Matthew 26:36-46 - Gethsemane")) and His cry of dereliction on the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")) represent the ultimate lament, where the Son of God Himself experienced the crushing sorrow and separation from God that our sins deserved. Furthermore, Jesus Himself lamented over Jerusalem's spiritual blindness and impending destruction ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")), echoing Jeremiah's prophetic grief. Thus, the call for mourning in Jeremiah 9:17 ultimately points to the profound sorrow for sin that leads to repentance and finds its complete resolution and comfort in the atoning work of Christ, who bore our judgment and transformed our mourning into joy ([Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 5:16

¶ Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing [shall be] in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.

Amos 5:17

And in all vineyards [shall be] wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD.

Ecclesiastes 12:5

Also [when] they shall be afraid of [that which is] high, and fears [shall be] in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

2 Chronicles 35:25

And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they [are] written in the lamentations.

Job 3:8

Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.

Mark 5:38

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

Matthew 9:23

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,