Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.
Don't weep for the one who has died, and don't mourn for him. Instead, cry deeply for the one who is going away into exile, because he will never return or see his homeland again.
The writer is saying that exile and being cut off from your homeland is actually worse than death itself.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of Jeremiah, this verse was spoken during a time of political turmoil in Judah under the threat of foreign invasion. The prophet Jeremiah is addressing the people about King Shallum (also known as Jehoahaz), who was exiled to Egypt by Pharaoh Necho and never returned, contrasting his fate with that of a deceased king who at least remains in his homeland. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of God's judgment on unfaithful leaders amid the impending Babylonian exile.
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