.png&w=384&q=75)
.png&w=384&q=75)
Scripture focus
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping [for] her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Matthew 2:18 — KJV
Bible study online
Matthew 2:18
King James Version (KJV)
“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody
Matthew 2:18
Verse 18 of 23
Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 2:18
ExegeticalRama. Considerable difference of opinion exists as to the identity of Rama. Several towns by this name are mentioned in the OT. It is probably to be identified with Ramallah in Ephraim, about 9 mi. (14.5 km.) northwest of Jerusalem (see Additional Note on 1 Sam. 1).
Rachel weeping. The words of Jeremiah here cited originally referred to the bitter experiences of the Hebrew captives taken to Babylon in 586 B.C. (see on Jer. 31:15). Rachel’s death in the near vicinity, at the birth of Benjamin (Gen. 35:18-20), makes the figure particularly appropriate. She named her son Ben-oni, “son of my sorrow” (see Gen. 35:18). By inspiration Matthew applies the words of Jeremiah to Herod’s slaughter of the infants of Bethlehem (see on Deut. 18:15).