King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 15:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 15:9 in the King James Version says “She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day : she hath...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 15:9 · KJV

Context

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.

11

The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant ; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction. cause: or, intreat the enemy for thee

Read Jeremiah 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes maternal devastation: 'She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day.' A woman who bore seven children—symbol of complete blessing (Ruth 4:15, 1 Samuel 2:5)—now 'languishes' (amlela). 'Given up the ghost' (naphcha nafshah) means she has expired—mother dies after children. 'Her sun is gone down while yet day'—premature end, life cut short when it should continue. 'She hath been ashamed and confounded' (boshah vechaphera). 'And the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.' Any survivors face further sword judgment. The imagery is of complete family destruction—mothers and children, blessing reversed to curse.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Seven children represented covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 28:4, 11); losing them all represented covenant curse (Deuteronomy 28:18, 32, 41). Siege conditions produced exactly this: mothers watching children starve, die of disease, or fall to enemy swords. Lamentations 2:11-12, 19-20 describes mothers and children dying together during Jerusalem's siege.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the mother of seven losing everything symbolize blessing-to-curse reversal?
  2. What does 'sun going down while yet day' express about premature, unexpected tragedy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אֻמְלְלָ֞ה1 of 18

“languisheth”

H535

to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn

יֹלֶ֣דֶת2 of 18

“She that hath borne”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

הַשִּׁבְעָ֗ה3 of 18

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

נָפְחָ֥ה4 of 18

“she hath given up”

H5301

to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire; figuratively, to disesteem)

נַפְשָׁ֛הּ5 of 18

“the ghost”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בָּ֥אה6 of 18

“is gone”

H935

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

שִׁמְשָׁ֛הּ7 of 18

“her sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

בְּעֹ֥ד8 of 18
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

יוֹמָ֖ם9 of 18

“down while it was yet day”

H3119

daily

בּ֣וֹשָׁה10 of 18

“she hath been ashamed”

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

וְחָפֵ֑רָה11 of 18

“and confounded”

H2659

to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach

וּשְׁאֵֽרִיתָ֗ם12 of 18

“and the residue”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

לַחֶ֧רֶב13 of 18

“to the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֶתֵּ֛ן14 of 18

“of them will I deliver”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִפְנֵ֥י15 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם16 of 18

“their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

נְאֻם17 of 18

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃18 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 15:9 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 15:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 2:5Isaiah 47:9Lamentations 1:1Amos 8:9-10Jeremiah 44:27Jeremiah 15:2-3

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 15 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 15 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes