Jeremiah 9:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people are called to prepare for mourning; professional mourners are summoned for the coming disaster.
The Context of Jeremiah 9:17
A call to recognize the coming loss and prepare for communal lament.
What Does Jeremiah 9:17 Mean?
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, professional mourning women—skilled in rituals of lamentation—were hired to lead communal grief. The command to summon them acknowledges that the scale of loss will be so great that ordinary weeping is insufficient. The 'cunning women' are those practiced in funeral arts and dirges.
The command is directed to the living survivors: acknowledge what is coming and prepare yourselves for authentic mourning. This is not mere theatricality but a call to let grief match reality—to truly absorb the magnitude of what is lost through judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 9:17
What does Jeremiah 9:17 mean?
The people are called to prepare for mourning; professional mourners are summoned for the coming disaster.
What is the context of Jeremiah 9:17?
A call to recognize the coming loss and prepare for communal lament.