Why did Rachel weep for her children in Matthew?

In Matthew 2:18, there is a reference to a prophecy in the book of Jeremiah, which says, "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." This reference is made in the context of King Herod's order to kill all male infants in Bethlehem who were two years old or younger. But why did Rachel weep for her children?

Rachel was one of the wives of Jacob, and is considered to be one of the matriarchs of the Jewish people. She is also associated with the town of Bethlehem, which was her ancestral home. According to the book of Genesis, Rachel died giving birth to her second son, Benjamin, and was buried in the vicinity of Bethlehem.

The reference to Rachel weeping for her children in Matthew 2 is a poetic way of expressing the grief and sorrow of the mothers of Bethlehem whose sons were killed by Herod. The reference to Ramah is significant because it was a town that was associated with the prophet Samuel, who anointed King David as the future king of Israel. Ramah was also a place where the Jewish people were taken into captivity by the Babylonians.

The reference to Rachel weeping for her children in the context of Herod's massacre is a reminder of the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history. It is also a reminder that the birth of Jesus was not just a joyous event, but also a time of great sorrow and suffering.