Jeremiah 9:19

19 For the sound of wailing is heard from Zion: ‘How devastated we are! How great is our shame! For we have abandoned the land because our dwellings have been torn down.’”

Jeremiah 9:19 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 9:19

For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion
Out of the fortress of Zion, out of the city of Jerusalem, which was thought to be inexpugnable, and could never be taken; but now a voice is heard out of that, deploring the desolation of it: how are we spoiled?
our houses destroyed, and we plundered of our substance: we are greatly confounded:
filled with shame, on account of their vain confidence; thinking their city would never be taken, and they were safe in it: because we have forsaken the land;
the land of Judea, being obliged to it, the enemy carrying them captive into other countries: because our dwellings have cast us out;
not suffering us to continue there any longer, as being unworthy of them; or enemies have cast down our habitations to the earth, as Jarchi; and so the Targum, "for our palaces are desolate"; the principal buildings in Jerusalem, as well as the houses of the common people, were thrown down to the ground, or burnt with fire, and particularly the temple; so that the whole was in a most ruinous condition, and a fit subject of a mournful song.

Jeremiah 9:19 In-Context

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

18 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.

19 For the sound of wailing is heard from Zion: ‘How devastated we are! How great is our shame! For we have abandoned the land because our dwellings have been torn down.’”

20 Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD. Open your ears to the word of His mouth. Teach your daughters to wail, and one another to lament.

21 For death has climbed in through our windows; it has entered our fortresses to cut off the children from the streets, the young men from the town squares.