Jeremiah 9:18-20

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Jeremiah 9:18 tn The words “And I said, ‘Indeed’” are not in the text. They have been supplied in the translation to try and help clarify who the speaker is who identifies with the lament of the people.
2. Jeremiah 9:19 tn Heb “How we are ruined!”
3. Jeremiah 9:19 tn Or “For we have left…because they have thrown down….” These probably offer parallel reasons for the cries, “We are utterly ruined…disgraced!” since the reason for leaving is not simply the destruction of their houses.
4. Jeremiah 9:20 tn The words “I said” are not in the text. The text merely has, “Indeed, yes.” The words are supplied in the translation to indicate that the speaker is still Jeremiah, though he now is not talking about the mourning woman but is talking to them. See the notes on 9:17-18 for further explanation.
5. Jeremiah 9:20 tn It is a little difficult to explain how the Hebrew particle כִּי (ki) is functioning here. W. L. Holladay (Jeremiah [Hermeneia], 1:311) may be correct in seeing it as introducing the contents of what those who call for the mourning women are to say. In this case, Jeremiah picks up the task as representative of the people.
6. Jeremiah 9:20 tn Heb “Listen to the word of the Lord.”sn In this context the “word of the Lord” that they are to listen for is the word of the lament that they are to teach their daughters and neighbors.