King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 15:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 15:8 in the King James Version says “Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young me...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city. the mother: or, the mother city a young man spoiling, etc, or, the mother and the young men”

Jeremiah 15:8 · KJV

Context

6

Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.

7

And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways. children: or, whatsoever is dear

8

Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city. the mother: or, the mother city a young man spoiling, etc, or, the mother and the young men

9

She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day : she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.

10

Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse quantifies widow suffering: 'Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas.' The Hebrew rabbu (רַבּוּ, increased, multiplied) with 'above the sand of the seas' (mechol yammim) indicates innumerable widows—mass male mortality in warfare. 'I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday.' The 'mother' (em bachur) represents families losing their young men. 'Spoiler at noonday' (shodded batsohorayim) indicates attack in broad daylight—no hiding, no escape, no night protection. 'I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.' Sudden (pitom) attack brings terror (behaloth). The psychological impact of sudden destruction compounds physical devastation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient warfare regularly left massive widow populations. Young men died in battle; women survived into widowhood. 'Spoiler at noonday' indicates attacks so bold they occur in broad daylight—no need for stealth when victory is certain. Babylon's conquest created this situation exactly: Jerusalem's young men died defending walls; their mothers became widows overnight.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'widows more than sand of the seas' indicate about warfare's human cost?
  2. How does 'noonday' attack emphasize the invader's overwhelming power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
עָֽצְמוּ1 of 17

“are increased”

H6105

to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones

לִ֤י2 of 17
H0
אַלְמְנוֹתָו֙3 of 17

“Their widows”

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

מֵח֣וֹל4 of 17

“to me above the sand”

H2344

sand (as round or whirling particles)

יַמִּ֔ים5 of 17

“of the seas”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הֵבֵ֨אתִי6 of 17

“I have brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָהֶ֥ם7 of 17
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

עַל8 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֵ֛ם9 of 17

“upon them against the mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

בָּח֖וּר10 of 17

“of the young men”

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

שֹׁדֵ֣ד11 of 17

“a spoiler”

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם12 of 17

“at noonday”

H6672

a light (i.e., window); dual double light, i.e., noon

הִפַּ֤לְתִּי13 of 17

“I have caused him to fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עָלֶ֙יהָ֙14 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פִּתְאֹ֔ם15 of 17

“upon it suddenly”

H6597

instantly

עִ֖יר16 of 17

“upon the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וּבֶהָלֽוֹת׃17 of 17

“and terrors”

H928

panic, destruction

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 15:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 15:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 3:25-4:1Jeremiah 6:4-5Jeremiah 4:16Luke 21:35Jeremiah 5:6

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