The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, [and] keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.
Ver. 10. The elders of the daughters of Zion.] Who sat once aloft passing sentence, and held themselves, haply, too high to be told their duties by a poor prophet.
Sit upon the ground.] After the manner of mourners.
And keep silence.] Who were wont to be the oracles of the country.
They have cast dust upon their heads.] Those white heads of theirs, which they had stained with foul practices.
They have girded themselves with sackcloth.] Heb., Sacks, instead of silks.
The virgins of Jerusalem.] Who were wont to walk haughtily, and with outstretched necks. Isa 3:16
Hang down their heads to the ground.] As if they were ashamed of themselves, and had small joy of their beauty and former bravery.