Why does it say "Lachen"?
Radak: If you will not repent, evils will come upon you, to the point that there will be eulogies in all the streets. Malbim ? this is "because I will pass amidst you" (17). This is an introduction to "Hoy ha'Mis'avim Es Yom Hashem" (18).
What are "Rechovos" and "Chutzos?
Malbim: Rechovos are expansive areas in front of the houses. The nation gathers there. Chutzos are narrow areas in back of the houses. Only people of the Mavuy and Chatzer are found there, i.e. women and children. All will gather in the Rechov to eulogize, and women and children in the Chutzos will answer Ho Ho.
What is "Ho Ho"?
Rashi: It is an expression of screaming.
Radak: It is the voice of the eulogy. It is like Hoy Hoy.
What is the meaning of "v'Kar'u Ikar El Evel"?
Rashi: Rows of farmers plowing in the field will encounter eulogies of mourners screaming outside.
Radak: They will call the farmer to come to the mourning, for his work and toil is in vain for the seeds and crops were stricken. They seeded, and will not harvest.
Malbim: The custom was to eulogize first, and then make an Evel (mourning) ? "va'Yispedu Sham Misped Gadol v'Chaved Me'od va'Ya'as l'Aviv Evel Shiv'as Yamim" (Bereishis 50:10). During the Evel, people cease work; therefore, the farmers did not participate. They will be in this Evel, for in any case the land will be desolate, and they will not have work in the field.
What is the meaning of "u'Misped El Yode'ei Nehi"?
Targum Yonasan: He will make a eulogy for those who know to lament 1 . Rashi 2 ? the expression is doubled, like "Mishpati v'Dini" (Tehilim 9:5).
Radak: The verse should be re-arranged ? those who know to lament, [they will call them] to the eulogy. The same applies to "Yadata Ki Az Tivaled" (Iyov 38:21) ? this is like Yadata Az Ki Tivaled. "Makom Sham Kever" (Yechezkel 39:11) is like Mekom Kever Sham.
Malbim: For a eulogy, they call one who knows to raise a bitter voice to arouse sadness.
