# Baldness will come upon Gaza

The abstract noun "baldness" can be stated as "bald." "Gaza" represents the people. Alternate translation: "The people of Gaza will shave their heads bald" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])

# Baldness

The shaving of the entire head or portions of the head is a sign of great sorrow practiced by idol worshipers in nations such as Philistia. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction]])

# the people ... will be made silent

Possible meanings are 1) the people will be silent because they are mourning or 2) this is a euphemism that means the enemy soldiers will kill them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism]])

# How long will you cut yourself in mourning?

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that the people of Ashkelon will never stop mourning. Yahweh speaks to the people as if he were speaking to one woman, who is a metaphor for the city itself. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "You will forever cut yourselves in mourning." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-apostrophe]])

# cut yourself in mourning

The cutting of one's skin was another practice done by the idol worshipers when they mourn the dead. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction]])

