Jeremiah 15:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The woman who bore seven children is now without them. In other words, one who was once blessed with many offspring has become bereaved. Her spirit is diminished, reflecting her deep sorrow. The sun has set upon her at noon, as calamity obscures her ability to perceive the light distinctly.

The one who gave birth to seven sons, Leah, is the matriarch who bore seven children for Jacob. The midday sun set upon her, as the descendants of Leah were taken captive, starting with Reuben's lineage, followed by those of Simeon and Issachar, alongside the Ephraimites; all the sons of Leah were led away to Assyria. In a different context, the prophet refers to the tribe of Ephraim, which established the kingdom of Samaria and outshone all the tribes of Israel in might and riches. Alternatively, the prophet may be referencing the entire congregation of Israel, who fashioned a golden calf in the wilderness, as well as the two calves erected by Jeroboam the son of Nebat in Dan and Bethel, along with a four-faced image (Jeremiah 10:14). The remnant, which includes the tribe of Judah and their kin—the descendants of Levi and Benjamin—who survived the devastation of Samaria, will be given over to the Babylonians for death and captivity.

The one who has borne seven children finds herself in a state of desolation; her spirit is exhausted, and the light of day has faded into darkness for her. She feels a deep sense of shame and embarrassment, and the remnants of her people will be met with the sword before their adversaries, declares the Lord. It has often been pointed out that the Hebrew term "saba" denotes not only the number seven but also signifies an oath or a multitude, which accounts for the variations in translation; Aquila, the Septuagint, and Theodotion interpret it as seven, while Simmachus uses the understanding of a multitude. Thus, she who was once abundant in offspring has been suddenly stripped of them, experiencing loss at the height of day and mourning her solitude.

He presents the disaster in multiple aspects, aiming to awaken the indifferent and encourage them to forsake their previous iniquities. 'The sun shall set on her in the midday.’ Even those who mourn find that light is counted as darkness. In delivering these sentiments, the Prophet expresses sorrow and sheds tears. (Jer. 15:10). Woe is me, O mother, why have you brought forth a man of sorrow, and deemed me guilty before all the earth? I have done no good, and no one has done me any good.