What does Jeremiah 9:18 mean?
"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." - Jeremiah 9:18

Jeremiah 9:18 from the King James Version states, "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."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Jeremiah in which the prophet laments the impending destruction of Judah due to the people's disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. The verse captures the intense emotion and grief felt by Jeremiah and the people of Judah as they face the consequences of their actions.
The theme of repentance and mourning is prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah, and this verse is no exception. The prophet calls on the people to mourn and weep for their sins, acknowledging the severity of their transgressions and the impending judgment that awaits them. There is a sense of urgency in the language used, as Jeremiah exhorts the people to "make haste" in their mourning, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
The imagery of tears flowing from the eyes and gushing out from the eyelids conveys the depth of sorrow and anguish felt by the people. It suggests a profound sense of remorse and regret for their actions, as well as a recognition of the gravity of the judgment that is to come. The use of such vivid and emotive language serves to emphasize the intensity of the people's grief and the urgency of their need for repentance.
The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its meaning. It comes at a time when the people of Judah are facing the imminent threat of invasion and destruction by the Babylonians. Jeremiah is warning them of the consequences of their disobedience and urging them to turn back to God in repentance. The impending doom and the need for mourning and lamentation are central themes throughout the book of Jeremiah, as the prophet repeatedly calls on the people to acknowledge their sins and seek God's forgiveness.
The symbolism of tears and lamentation in this verse conveys a deeper spiritual truth about the nature of repentance and the consequences of sin. It reflects the humbling of the people before God, acknowledging their need for His mercy and grace. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of sin and the need for genuine remorse and contrition in seeking forgiveness.
In a broader theological sense, this verse also points to the biblical principle of sowing and reaping. The people of Judah are experiencing the painful consequences of their disobedience and unfaithfulness, as they reap the judgment of God's righteous anger. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of living in accordance with God's will and the need for genuine repentance when we fall short.
Overall, Jeremiah 9:18 is a poignant and evocative verse that captures the deep sense of mourning and repentance felt by the people of Judah in the face of impending judgment. It conveys a powerful message about the consequences of sin and the need for heartfelt remorse and seeking forgiveness. It serves as a timeless reminder of the urgency of turning back to God in repentance and seeking His mercy and grace.
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Jeremiah 9:18 - "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."
"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." - Jeremiah 9:18
Jeremiah 18:9 - "And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;"
"And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;" - Jeremiah 18:9
Jeremiah 18:1 - "The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"
Jeremiah 32:18
Jeremiah 23:18
Jeremiah 18:5 - "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,"
"The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying," - Jeremiah 18:1
Jeremiah 18:18 - "¶ Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words."
Jeremiah 51:18 - "They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish."
Jeremiah 9:9 - "¶ Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"
Genesis 18-9
rev 9:18
Jeremiah 37:18 - "Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison?"
2 Chronicles 18:9
Luke 18: 9-14
2 Chronicles 18:9
Jeremiah 18:19 - "Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me."
Jeremiah 6:18 - "¶ Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them."
Jeremiah 18:3 - "Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels."
Jeremiah 5:18 - "Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you."
Genesis 18:9-14
Luke 18:9-14
Jeremiah 18:2 - "Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words."
Jeremiah 8:18 - "¶ When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me."
Jeremiah 11:18 - "¶ And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings."
Jeremiah 38:9 (KJVA) 9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.
1 Kings 9:18 - "And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land,"
Jeremiah 38:9 (KJVA) 9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.