At the time Jeremiah wrote these words about Rachel the wife of Jacob, she had already been dead for over 1,000 years. Jeremiah’s words do not have two meanings but rather only one meaning with two fulfillments plus a third fulfillment back in Genesis. Jeremiah’s meaning is that just as Rachel would be sorrowful over the death and enslavement of her offspring, be it by Egyptians or Babylonians, Rachel would be sorrowful over the death of her offspring by Herod’s hand.
Wakati Yeremia alipokuwa anaandika maneno haya kuhusu Rachel mke wa Yakobo, Raheli alikuwa tayari amekufa zaidi ya miaka 1000 iliyokuwa imepita.