Weep not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep bitterly for him that goes away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.
Read Chapter 22
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Dead. He means the good king Josias, who by death was taken away, so as not to see the miseries of his country.
Away. Sellum, alias Joachaz, who was carried captive into Egypt, (Challoner) ver. 12., and 4 Kings xxiii. 33. (Calmet)
He was the fourth son of Josias, (1 Paralipomenon iii. 15.) and had probably the title of king after the death of Sedecias. (Worthington)
Jeremiah too laments over his impenitent people, saying, “O that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for … my people!” And further on he gives a reason for his lamentation: “Do not weep for the dead,” he writes, “or bemoan him, but weep sorely for him who goes away, for he shall return no more.” - "Letter 122"
