Notes on "A voice is heard in Ramah"

In Matthew 2:18 it is written:

18 "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

In Jeremiah 31:15 we read:

15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more.".

Ramah is a village 5 miles north of Jerusalem. King Herod ordered the death of all the boys under two in the Bethlehem area. In Jeremiah Rachel refers to the favorite wife of Jacob. But in Mathew Rachal represents the Jewish people crying out against the evil of the Edomite King Herod.

 


To Understand my faith better I have decided to construct these pages. They are strictly educational, non-commercial and to foster scholarly discussion. All Bible quotes are from the New International Version unless otherwise stated. I use the NIV because while not a perfect translation, certainly the best available. All mistakes are my own and if you differ from my thoughts I welcome your comments. J. Barry O'Connell Jr.