Jeremiah 9:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And let them make haste {H4116}, and take up {H5375} a wailing {H5092} for us, that our eyes {H5869} may run down {H3381} with tears {H1832}, and our eyelids {H6079} gush out {H5140} with waters {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'Have them hurry and wail for us, so our eyes will be wet from crying, and our eyelids gush with tears.'

Berean Standard Bible

Let them come quickly and take up a lament over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids may gush with water.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 9:18 presents an urgent and desperate plea for professional mourners to commence a profound lamentation, reflecting the prophet's overwhelming sorrow and the impending or ongoing national catastrophe facing Judah. The verse vividly portrays an anticipated flood of tears, underscoring the depth of despair and the magnitude of the divine judgment that has befallen the nation due to its persistent sin and rebellion against God. It is a poignant expression of communal grief for a people on the brink of desolation and spiritual ruin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a larger section of Jeremiah's prophecies (Jeremiah 9:10-22) that articulates a profound lament over the desolation of Judah and Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this passage, Jeremiah expresses his personal anguish and desire to weep incessantly for his people's destruction, longing for his head to be a "fountain of tears" in [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Lament for His People"). The verses that follow continue to describe the severity of God's judgment, detailing how the land will become a desolate wilderness and the people will be scattered among nations they do not know ([Jeremiah 9:11-16](/jeremiah/9-11-16 "Jeremiah 9:11-16 - Judah's Desolation and Exile")). The call for mourners in verse 18 is therefore not an isolated cry but a direct response to the prophet's understanding of the irreversible judgment and the dire need for a national expression of grief, a theme that continues into the subsequent verses ([Jeremiah 9:19-22](/jeremiah/9-19-22 "Jeremiah 9:19-22 - The Sound of Wailing") which speak of the lament being heard from Zion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings, from Josiah to Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile (circa 627-586 BCE). The nation was steeped in idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial religiosity, despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. The "wailing" called for in this verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of employing professional mourners, typically women, to lead public lamentations during times of death or national calamity. These mourners were skilled in composing and performing dirges, helping communities express and process overwhelming grief. Their presence underscored the severity of the loss, elevating it from a private sorrow to a public, communal tragedy. The call to "make haste" suggests an immediate, urgent need for this ritualistic expression of grief, indicating that the disaster was either imminent or already unfolding.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 9:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the **Profound Grief and Lamentation** that characterizes much of the prophet's ministry, earning him the title "the weeping prophet." His personal anguish over Judah's fate, as seen in his longing for a "fountain of tears" in [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Lament"), is here extended to a national call for lament. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequence of Sin**. The need for such intense wailing is a direct result of Judah's persistent rebellion against God's covenant, leading to the devastating consequences foretold throughout the book. This judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to their spiritual adultery and idolatry, as detailed in passages like [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon") and [Jeremiah 8](/jeremiah/8 "Jeremiah 8 - The People's Persistent Idolatry"). Lastly, it touches upon the **Communal Nature of Suffering**, emphasizing that the calamity affects the entire nation, necessitating a collective expression of sorrow and repentance, even if that repentance comes too late to avert the physical destruction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Haste (Hebrew, _mâhar'_):** This primitive root (H4116) signifies "to hurry" or "to be swift," often used adverbially to mean "promptly" or "quickly." In Jeremiah 9:18, the imperative "let them make haste" conveys an urgent, immediate demand for the mourners to begin their work. It emphasizes the critical and pressing nature of the impending or unfolding disaster, suggesting that there is no time to lose in expressing the profound national sorrow. It implies a sudden, overwhelming need for this ritual.
* **Wailing (Hebrew, _nᵉhîy'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to lament" (H5092), this noun refers specifically to an elegy or a mournful lamentation, often sung or chanted as a dirge. It is a formal, public expression of grief, distinct from mere crying. The call to "take up a wailing" indicates the need for a structured, communal outpouring of sorrow, signifying a loss so immense it requires a professional, ritualized expression of deep mourning for the nation's spiritual and physical demise.
* **Gush out (Hebrew, _nâzal'_):** This primitive root (H5140) means "to drip" or "shed by trickling," but also "to flow," "flood," or "pour down." When paired with "waters" in the context of "eyelids," it intensifies the imagery of weeping. It describes an uncontrolled, abundant, and continuous flow of tears, far beyond simple crying, portraying an overwhelming and unrestrained sorrow that cannot be contained. It emphasizes the sheer volume and unceasing nature of the weeping, like a flood.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And let them make haste,"**: This opening phrase is an urgent command, an imperative call for immediate action. It reflects the prophet's sense of extreme urgency and the dire nature of the situation, demanding that the professional mourners (implied by the context of "wailing") begin their lament without delay. The speed underscores the imminence or present reality of the catastrophe.
* **"and take up a wailing for us,"**: This specifies the action required: to initiate a formal, public lamentation. The phrase "for us" indicates that this is not a private sorrow but a communal one, a wail on behalf of the entire nation of Judah, signifying the collective catastrophe they face. It highlights the shared experience of impending doom and the need for a collective expression of grief.
* **"that our eyes may run down with tears,"**: This clause describes the desired outcome and the depth of the anticipated grief. The imagery of eyes "running down" with tears portrays an abundant, continuous flow, suggesting an overwhelming sorrow that cannot be held back. It is a physical manifestation of profound anguish, indicating a grief so immense it overflows the eyes.
* **"and our eyelids gush out with waters."**: This final clause intensifies the previous image, using a stronger verb ("gush out") and a more general noun ("waters" instead of "tears") to emphasize the sheer volume and unceasing nature of the weeping. "Eyelids gushing out" is a vivid hyperbole, conveying an uncontrollable torrent of sorrow, signifying grief beyond measure for the desolation of the nation, a sorrow that cannot be contained or stopped.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 9:18 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of overwhelming sorrow through the description of eyes "running down with tears" and eyelids "gushing out with waters." This visual and sensory language powerfully conveys the depth of the nation's despair. The verse employs **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration for emphasis, particularly in the phrases "run down with tears" and "gush out with waters." These are not literal descriptions of tear flow but emphasize an unimaginable, unending torrent of grief, highlighting the extreme nature of the national tragedy. The use of the **Imperative Mood** ("let them make haste," "take up") creates a sense of urgency and command, reflecting the prophet's desperate plea. Furthermore, there is an element of **Metonymy**, where "eyes" and "eyelids" stand in for the people themselves, collectively experiencing and expressing this profound sorrow. The entire verse functions as a **Lament**, a poetic expression of grief and sorrow, characteristic of much of Jeremiah's prophetic message concerning Judah's destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 9:18 stands as a stark theological statement on the devastating consequences of national apostasy and disobedience to God's covenant. The profound sorrow and the desperate call for lamentation are not merely emotional outbursts but a direct reflection of divine judgment against a people who have forsaken the living God for idols and injustice. This intense grief underscores the gravity of sin, revealing how turning away from the Lord leads to spiritual desolation and physical ruin. The prophet's anguish serves as a poignant reminder that God's warnings are not empty threats but expressions of His righteous character, and His justice, though delayed, will ultimately prevail. The collective weeping signifies a recognition, albeit perhaps too late, of the spiritual death of the nation and the bitter fruit of their rebellion.

* [Lamentations 2:18](/lamentations/2-18 "Lamentations 2:18 - Zion's Cry for Tears")
* [Psalm 119:136](/psalms/119-136 "Psalm 119:136 - Rivers of Tears for Disobedience")
* [Joel 2:12-13](/joel/2-12-13 "Joel 2:12-13 - Return to the Lord with Weeping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 9:18 serves as a profound and sobering call to introspection, urging us to consider the gravity of sin and its far-reaching consequences, not only for individuals but for communities and nations. The prophet's desperate plea for overwhelming lamentation reminds us that spiritual decline and disobedience inevitably lead to deep sorrow and desolation. For believers today, this verse challenges us to cultivate a holy grief over sin—both our own and that of the world around us—and to recognize the pain it inflicts upon God's heart and creation. It compels us to respond with genuine repentance and to heed divine warnings before judgment becomes inevitable. Furthermore, it fosters compassion for those who suffer the consequences of spiritual brokenness, prompting us to intercede and work for righteousness, understanding that true peace and flourishing come only through faithful adherence to God's ways. It is a reminder that a lack of lament in the face of sin can indicate a hardened heart, while true spiritual vitality often begins with a recognition of our brokenness and a turning towards God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the intensity of the weeping described in Jeremiah 9:18 reveal about the severity of Judah's sin and God's judgment?**
* **How does the prophet's call for professional mourners challenge our modern understanding of grief and communal lament in the face of societal brokenness?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be called to "weep" over spiritual decline or injustice in our own contexts today?**
* **What steps can we take to cultivate a heart that is sensitive to sin's consequences and quick to respond to God's calls for repentance?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of professional mourners in this context?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, professional mourners were typically women hired to lead and intensify public lamentations during funerals or national calamities. Their presence in Jeremiah 9:18 signifies the extraordinary depth and public nature of the sorrow. It indicates that the impending or ongoing disaster was so catastrophic that the natural grief of the people was deemed insufficient to express the magnitude of the loss. By employing these skilled lamenters, the community sought to fully acknowledge and externalize the overwhelming despair and the collective "death" of their national well-being and spiritual health. This practice is also alluded to in other biblical texts, such as [2 Chronicles 35:25](/2_chronicles/35-25 "2 Chronicles 35:25 - Lament for Josiah") regarding the death of King Josiah, and [Amos 5:16](/amos/5-16 "Amos 5:16 - Wailing in the Streets").

**Why does Jeremiah use such extreme language to describe the weeping?**

Answer: Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," frequently employed vivid and hyperbolic language to convey the depth of his anguish and the severity of God's judgment. Phrases like "eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters" are not meant to be taken literally as a physical description of tear production. Instead, they are powerful literary devices (hyperbole) used to emphasize the overwhelming, uncontrollable, and unending nature of the sorrow. This extreme imagery communicates the profound national tragedy, the spiritual devastation, and the utter despair that has engulfed Judah due to their persistent rebellion against God, making it clear that this is a grief beyond ordinary measure. His personal lament in [Jeremiah 13:17](/jeremiah/13-17 "Jeremiah 13:17 - Jeremiah's Weeping for Judah's Pride") uses similar intense imagery, demonstrating his deep emotional connection to the fate of his people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 9:18 vividly portrays the devastating consequences of sin and the profound sorrow it brings, its ultimate fulfillment and resolution are found in Jesus Christ. The lamentation for a nation lost to sin foreshadows the ultimate grief of God over humanity's rebellion, a grief perfectly embodied in Christ. Just as Jeremiah wept over Jerusalem's impending destruction, so too did Jesus weep over Jerusalem, knowing their rejection of Him would lead to their desolation ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")). The "gushing out with waters" of sorrow finds its counterpoint in the "living water" that Jesus offers, which quenches spiritual thirst and brings eternal life ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus and the Living Water")). The tears shed for sin's destructive power are ultimately wiped away by the Lamb of God, who bore the full weight of humanity's sin and its consequences on the cross ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ not only takes away the sin that causes such lament but also offers a new covenant where true repentance leads not to despair, but to forgiveness, reconciliation, and the promise of eternal joy. The weeping over a nation's spiritual death is transformed into the hope of resurrection and new life in Christ, the one who experienced the ultimate sorrow that we might know ultimate peace ([Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant"); [John 16:20-22](/john/16-20-22 "John 16:20-22 - Sorrow Turned to Joy")).

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

Jeremiah 14:17

¶ Therefore 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 9:1

¶ 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!

Isaiah 22:4

Therefore 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 9:10

For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through [them]; neither can [men] hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.

Lamentations 1:2

She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears [are] on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort [her]: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.

Lamentations 2:11

Mine 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 9:20

Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.