Jeremiah 15:8
New International Version
I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. At midday I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men; suddenly I will bring down on them anguish and terror.

New Living Translation
There will be more widows than the grains of sand on the seashore. At noontime I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of young men. I will cause anguish and terror to come upon them suddenly.

English Standard Version
I have made their widows more in number than the sand of the seas; I have brought against the mothers of young men a destroyer at noonday; I have made anguish and terror fall upon them suddenly.

Berean Standard Bible
I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. I will bring a destroyer at noon against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Their widows will be increased to Me more than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, Against the mother of the young men, A plunderer at noonday; I will cause anguish and terror to fall on them suddenly.

New American Standard Bible
“Their widows will be more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of a young man, A destroyer at noon; I will suddenly bring down on her Shock and horror.

NASB 1995
“Their widows will be more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of a young man, A destroyer at noonday; I will suddenly bring down on her Anguish and dismay.

NASB 1977
“Their widows will be more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of a young man, A destroyer at noonday; I will suddenly bring down on her Anguish and dismay.

Legacy Standard Bible
Their widows will be more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of a choice man, A destroyer at noonday; I will suddenly bring down on her Anguish and terror.

Amplified Bible
“I will make their widows more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of the young men, A destroyer at noonday; I will suddenly cause anguish and terror To fall on her.

Christian Standard Bible
I made their widows more numerous than the sand of the seas. I brought a destroyer at noon against the mother of young men. I suddenly released on her agitation and terrors.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I made their widows more numerous than the sand of the seas. I brought a destroyer at noon against the mother of young men. I suddenly released on her agitation and terrors.

American Standard Version
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 destroyer at noonday: I have caused anguish and terrors to fall upon her suddenly.

Contemporary English Version
There will be more widows in Judah than grains of sand on a beach. A surprise attack at noon! And the mothers in Jerusalem mourn for their children.

English Revised Version
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 anguish and terrors to fall upon her suddenly.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Their widows will be more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashore. At noontime I will send a destroyer against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring anguish and terror to them.

Good News Translation
There are more widows in your land than grains of sand by the sea. I killed your young men in their prime and made their mothers suffer. I suddenly struck them with anguish and terror.

International Standard Version
I'll make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. At noontime I'll send a destroyer against the mother of a young man. I'll cause terror and anguish to come to her unexpectedly.

Majority Standard Bible
I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. I will bring a destroyer at noon against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay.

NET Bible
Their widows will become in my sight more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashores. At noontime I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men. I will cause anguish and terror to fall suddenly upon them.

New Heart English Bible
Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas; I have brought on them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday; I have made anguish and terror to fall on them suddenly.

Webster's Bible Translation
Their widows are multiplied to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noon-day: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.

World English Bible
Their widows are increased more than the sand of the seas. I have brought on them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday. I have caused anguish and terrors to fall on her suddenly.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Its widows have been more to Me than the sand of the seas, "" I brought on them—against the mother—A young man—a spoiler—at noon. I caused wrath and trouble to fall on her suddenly.

Young's Literal Translation
Its widows have been more to Me than the sand of the seas, I brought in to them -- against the mother -- A young man -- a spoiler -- at noon. I caused to fall upon her suddenly, wrath and trouble.

Smith's Literal Translation
Their widows were many to me above the sand of the seas: I brought to them against the mother a young man laying waste at noon: I caused to fall upon her suddenly wrath and terror.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Their widows are multiplied unto me above the sand of the sea: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young man a spoiler at noonday: I have cast a terror on a sudden upon the cities.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Their widows have been multiplied by me, more so than the sand of the sea. I have led them against the mother of a youth like an attacker at midday. I have sent a terror suddenly against the cities.

New American Bible
Their widows were more numerous before me than the sands of the sea. I brought against the mother of youths the destroyer at midday; Suddenly I struck her with anguish and terror.

New Revised Standard Version
Their widows became more numerous than the sand of the seas; I have brought against the mothers of youths a destroyer at noonday; I have made anguish and terror fall upon her suddenly.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Their widows are increased in number more than the sand of the sea; I have brought against them, both against the mother and against the young men, robbers at noonday; I have caused terror and trembling to fall upon them suddenly.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Their widows abounded more than the sand of the sea. I brought upon them, on mother and upon young men, the plunderer at noonday. I cast trouble and trembling upon them suddenly
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Their widows are increased to Me above the sand of the seas; I bring upon them, against the mother, a chosen one, Even a spoiler at noonday; I cause anguish and terrors to fall upon her suddenly.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Their widows have been multiplied more than the sand of the sea: I have brought young men against the mother, even distress at noon-day: I have suddenly cast upon her trembling and anxiety.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment to Continue
7I will scatter them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land. I will bereave and destroy My people who have not turned from their ways. 8I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. I will bring a destroyer at noon against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay. 9The mother of seven will grow faint; she will breathe her last breath. Her sun will set while it is still day; she will be disgraced and humiliated. And the rest I will put to the sword in the presence of their enemies,” declares the LORD.…

Cross References
Isaiah 13:16
Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished.

Lamentations 1:15
The Lord has rejected all the mighty men in my midst; He has summoned an army against me to crush my young warriors. Like grapes in a winepress, the Lord has trampled the Virgin Daughter of Judah.

Ezekiel 7:15
The sword is outside; plague and famine are within. Those in the country will die by the sword, and those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague.

Hosea 13:16
Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.

Amos 5:3
This is what the Lord GOD says: “The city that marches out a thousand strong will have but a hundred left, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have but ten left in the house of Israel.”

Zephaniah 1:17
I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.

Deuteronomy 32:25
Outside, the sword will take their children, and inside, terror will strike the young man and the young woman, the infant and the gray-haired man.

2 Kings 8:12
“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”

Isaiah 47:9
These two things will overtake you in a moment, in a single day: loss of children, and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells.

Ezekiel 9:6
Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.

Matthew 24:19
How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!

Luke 21:23
How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people.

Revelation 6:8
Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

Revelation 9:15
So the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.

Revelation 18:8
Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

widows.

Isaiah 3:25,26
Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war…

Isaiah 4:1
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

the mother, etc.

Jeremiah 4:16
Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 5:6
Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

Jeremiah 6:4,5
Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out…

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Anguish Cause Caused Chosen City Destroyer Dismay Fall Increased Mother Multiplied Noonday Noon-Day Numerous Sand Seas Spoiler Suddenly Terrors Widows Young
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Anguish Cause Caused Chosen City Destroyer Dismay Fall Increased Mother Multiplied Noonday Noon-Day Numerous Sand Seas Spoiler Suddenly Terrors Widows Young
Jeremiah 15
1. The utter rejection and manifold judgments of the people.
10. Jeremiah, complaining of their spite, receives a promise for himself;
12. and a threatening for them.
15. He prays;
19. and receives a gracious promise.














I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the seas
This phrase is a powerful hyperbole, emphasizing the vast number of widows that will result from the coming judgment. The imagery of "sand of the seas" is often used in Scripture to denote something innumerable (Genesis 22:17). In the Hebrew context, widows were particularly vulnerable and represented a significant social concern, as they often lacked protection and provision. This statement underscores the severity of the impending disaster and the profound societal impact it would have. The use of "widows" here also highlights the loss of life and the breakdown of family structures, which were central to the community's stability.

At midday I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of young men
"At midday" suggests an unexpected and brazen attack, as midday was typically a time of rest and safety. The "destroyer" refers to an invading force or calamity, often seen as an instrument of divine judgment. The "mothers of young men" signifies the loss of the next generation, the hope and future of the nation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, young men were vital for defense, labor, and carrying on the family lineage. This phrase conveys the suddenness and totality of the destruction, leaving families bereft and communities defenseless.

I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay
The word "suddenly" indicates the swift and unexpected nature of the judgment. "Anguish" and "dismay" describe the emotional and psychological turmoil that will accompany the physical destruction. In the Hebrew, "anguish" (צָרָה, tsarah) often refers to distress or trouble, while "dismay" (בְּהָלָה, behalah) suggests panic or terror. This reflects the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting not just the physical realm but also the hearts and minds of the people. The verse as a whole serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the seriousness with which He addresses sin and rebellion.

(8) I have brought . . .--Better, I have brought upon them, even upon the mother of the young warrior (i.e., upon the woman who rejoices most in her son's heroism), a spoiler at noon-day, i.e., coming, when least expected, at the hour when most armies rested. (See Note on Jeremiah 6:4.)

I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly . . .--Better, I have brought suddenly upon her (the "mother" of the previous sentence) travail-pangs (as in Isaiah 13:8) and dismay. The Aramaic word for the anguish of childbirth is also the Hebrew word for "city," and this has misled translators. The LXX. gives the true meaning.

Verse 8. - To me; i.e. at my bidding. It is the dative of cause. Against the mother of the young men; rather, upon... young man. The widow has lost her husband, the mother her son, so that no human power can repel the barbarous foe. The word rendered "young man" is specially used for "young warriors," e.g., Jeremiah 18:21; 49:26; 51:3. Others following Rashi, take "mother" in the sense of "metropolis," or "chief city" (see Authorized Version, margin), in which case "young man" must be connected with the participle rendered "a spoiler;" but though the word has this sense in 2 Samuel 20:19, it is there coupled with "city," so that no doubt can exist. Hero the prophet would certainly not have used the word in so unusual a sense without giving some guide to his meaning. The rendering adopted above has the support of Ewald, Hitzig, and Dr. Payne Smith. At noonday; at the most unlooked-for moment (see on Jeremiah 6:4). I have caused him, etc.; rather, I have caused pangs and terrors to fall upon her suddenly.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I will make their widows
אַלְמְנֹתָו֙‪‬ (’al·mə·nō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place

more numerous
עָֽצְמוּ־ (‘ā·ṣə·mū-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6105: To bind fast, close, powerful, numerous, to crunch the bones

than the sand
מֵח֣וֹל (mê·ḥō·wl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2344: Sand

of the sea.
יַמִּ֔ים (yam·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

I will bring
הֵבֵ֨אתִי (hê·ḇê·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

a destroyer
שֹׁדֵ֣ד (šō·ḏêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7703: To deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin

at noon
בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם (baṣ·ṣā·ho·rā·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6672: A light, double light, noon

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the mothers
אֵ֛ם (’êm)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

of young men.
בָּח֖וּר (bā·ḥūr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 970: Selected, a youth

I will suddenly
פִּתְאֹ֔ם (piṯ·’ōm)
Adverb
Strong's 6597: Suddenness, suddenly

bring
הִפַּ֤לְתִּי (hip·pal·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

upon them
עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ (‘ā·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

anguish
עִ֖יר (‘îr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

and dismay.
וּבֶהָלֽוֹת׃ (ū·ḇe·hā·lō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 928: Dismay, sudden terror or ruin


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 15:8 Their widows are increased to me above (Jer.)
Jeremiah 15:7
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