Reference: Lamentations
Fausets
Hebrew eechah called from the first word "How," etc., the formula in beginning a lamentation (2Sa 1:19). These "Lamentations" (we get the title from Septuagint, Greek threnoi, Hebrew kinot) or five elegies in the Hebrew Bible stand between Ruth and Ecclesiastes, among the Cherubim, or Hagiographa (holy writings), designated from the principal one, the Psalms," by our Lord (Lu 24:44). No "word of Jehovah "or divine message to the sinful and suffering people occurs in Lamentations. Jeremiah is in it the sufferer, not the prophet and teacher, but a sufferer speaking under the Holy Spirit. Josephus (c. Apion) enumerated the prophetic books as thirteen, reckoning Jeremiah and Lamentations as one book, as Judges and Ruth, Ezra and Nehemiah. Jeremiah wrote "lamentations" on the death of Josiah, and it was made "an ordinance in Israel" that "singing women" should "speak" of that king in lamentation.
So here he writes "lamentations" on the overthrow of the Jewish city and people, as Septuagint expressly state in a prefatory verse, embodying probably much of the language of his original elegy on Josiah (2Ch 35:25), and passing now to the more universal calamity, of which Josiah's sad death was the presage and forerunner. Thus, the words originally applied to Josiah (La 4:20) Jeremiah now applies to the throne of Judah in general, the last representative of which, Zedekiah, had just been blinded and carried to Babylon (compare Jer 39:5-7): "the breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the (live securely in spite of the surrounding) pagan." The language, true of good Josiah, is too favorable to apply to Zedekiah personally; it is as royal David's representative, and type of Messiah, and Judah's head, that he is viewed.
The young children fainting for hunger (La 2:6,11-12,20-21; 4:4,9; 2Ki 25:3), the city stormed (La 2:7; 4:12; 2Ch 36:17,19), the priests slain in the sanctuary, the citizens carried captive (La 1:5; 2:9; 2Ki 25:11) with the king and princes, the feasts, sabbaths, and the law no more (La 1:4; 2:6), all point to Jerusalem's capture by Nebuchadnezzar. The subject is the Jerusalem citizens' sufferings throughout the siege, the penalty of national sin. The events probably are included under Manasseh and Josiah (2Ch 33:11; 35:20-25), Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah (2Ch 36:3, etc.). "Every letter is written with a tear, every word is the sound of a broken heart" (Lowth). Terse conciseness marks the style which Jeremiah suits to his theme, whereas he is diffuse in his prophecies.
The elegies are grouped in stanzas, but without artificial arrangement of the thoughts. The five are acrostic, and each elegy divided into 22 stanzas. The first three elegies have stanzas with triplets of lines, excepting elegy La 1:7 and La 2:9 containing four lines each. The 22 stanzas begin severally with the 22 Hebrew letters in alphabetical order. In three instances two letters are transposed: elegy La 2:16-17; 3:46-51; 4:16-17. In the third elegy each line of the three forming every stanza begins with the same letter. The fourth and fifth elegies have their stanzas of two lines each. The fifth elegy has 22 stanzas, but not beginning alphabetically, the earnestness of prayer with which the whole closes breaking through the trammels of form. Its lines are shorter than the rest, which are longer than is usual in Hebrew poems, and contain 12 syllables marked by a caesura about the middle, dividing each line into two not always equal parts.
The alphabetical arrangement suited didactic poems, to be recited or sung by great numbers; Psalm 25; Psalm 34; Psalm 37; Psalm 111; Psalm 112; Psalm 145; especially Psalm 119; Pr 31:31, are examples. It was adopted to help the memory, and is used to string together reflections not closely bound in unity, save by the general reference to a common subject. David's lament over Jonathan and Saul, also that over Abner, are the earliest specimens of sacred elegy (2Sa 1:17-27; 3:33-34). Jeremiah in his prophecies (Jer 9:9,16,19; 7:29) has much of an elegiac character. The author of Lamentations was evidently an eye witness who vividly and intensely realizes the sufferings which he mourns over. This strong feeling, combined with almost entirely uncomplaining (La 3:26-27,33-42) resignation under God's stroke, and with turning to Him that smote Jerusalem, is just what characterizes Jeremiah's acknowledged writings.
The writer's distress for "the virgin daughter of his people" is common to Jeremiah (Jer 14:17; 8:21; 9:1) and Lamentations (La 1:15; 2:13). The same pathos, his "eyes running down with water" (La 1:16; 2:11; 3:48-49) for Zion, appears in both (Jer 13:17), and the same feeling of terror on every side (La 2:22; Jer 6:25; 46:5). What most affects the author of each is the iniquity of her prophets and priests (La 2:14; 4:13; Jer 5:30-31; 14:13-14). His appeal in both is to Jehovah for judgment (La 3:64-66; Jer 11:20); Edom, exulting in Zion's fall, is warned that God's winecup of wrath shall pass away from Zion and be drunk by Edom (La 4:21; Jer 25:15-21; 49:12). As a prophet Jeremiah had foretold Zion's coming doom, and had urged submission to Babylon which was God's instrument, as the only means of mitigating judgment.
But now that the stroke has fallen, so far from exulting at the fulfillment of his predictions on the Jewish rulers who had persecuted him, all other feelings are swallowed up in intense sorrow. To express this in a form suitable for use by his fellow countrymen was a relief by affording vent to his own deep sorrow; at the same time it was edifying to them to have an inspired form for giving legitimate expression to theirs. The first elegy (Lamentations 1) strikes the keynote, the solitude of the city once so full! Her grievous sin is the cause. At one time he speaks of her, then introduces her personified, and uttering the pathetic appeal (antitypically descriptive of her Antitype Messiah), "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold ... if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow," etc. (La 1:12). Justifying the Lord as "righteous," she condemns herself, and looks forward to His one day making her foe like unto her.
The second elegy (Lamentations 2) dwells on the city's destruction, her breach through which like a sea the foe poured in, the famine, the women eating their little children (fulfilling De 28:53), the priest and prophet slain in the sanctuary, the king and princes among the Gentiles, the law no more, the past vanity of the prophets forbearing to discover Zion's iniquity, retributively punished by the present absence of vision from Jehovah (La 2:9,14). The third elegy dwells on his own affliction (La 3:1, etc.), his past derision on the part of all the people; the mercies of the Lord new every morning, his hope; his sanctified conviction that it was good for him to have borne the yoke in youth, and now to wait for Jehovah's salvation. Here he uses language typical of Messiah (La 3:8,14,30,54; Ps 69:22; Isa 1:6).
He also indirectly teaches his fellow countrymen that "searching our ways and turning again to the Lord," instead of complaining against what is the punishment due for sins, is the true way of obtaining deliverance from Him who "doth not afflict willingly the children of men." The fourth elegy recapitulates the woes of Zion, contrasting the past preciousness of Zion's sons, and her pure Nazarites, with the worthlessness of their present estimation. It is "the Lord who hath accomplished His fury" in all this; for the kings of the earth regarded Zion as impregnable, but now recognize that it is because of "uncleanness" the Jews are wanderers. But Edom, now exulting in her fall, shall soon be visited in wrath, while Zion's captivity shall cease.
The fifth elegy (Lamentations 5) is prayer to Jehovah to consider "our reproach," slaves ruling His people, women ravished, young men grinding, children sinking under burdens of wood, "the crown" of the kingdom and priesthood "fallen," and Zion desolate. But one grand source of consolation is Jehovah's eternal rule (La 5:19), which, though suffering His people's affliction for a
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Because of the hardships your enemies will make you suffer during the blockade, you will eat the flesh of your own children, the sons and daughters, whom Jehovah your God has given you.
Then David chanted with a lament (dirge) (requiem) over Saul and Jonathan his son. He told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow. It is written in the book of Jashar: read more. Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Do not tell the news in Gath. Do not announce the victory in the streets of Ashkelon. The daughters of the Philistines will be glad. The daughters of godless men will celebrate. read more. Let no rain or dew fall on the mountains of Gilboa. Let its fields be barren! For the shields of the mighty lie there in disgrace. The shield of Saul is no longer polished with oil. Jonathan's bow was deadly. The sword of Saul was without mercy. He struck down the mighty and killed the enemy. It was easy to love Saul and Jonathan. Together in life, together in death, they were faster than eagles and stronger than lions. Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul. He clothed you in scarlet with luxury. The brave soldiers have fallen. They were killed in battle. Jonathan lies dead in the hills. I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan. You were dear to me! How wonderful was your love for me. It was better than the love of women. The mighty have fallen, their weapons abandoned and useless.
The king sang a funeral song for Abner: Should Abner die like a godless fool? Your hands were not bound. Your feet were not in fetters. You fell as one falls in front of wicked men. And all the people continued to cry for him.
So Jehovah made the army commanders of the king of Assyria invade Judah. They took Manasseh captive, put a hook in his nose, put him in bronze shackles, and brought him to Babylon.
Later, when Josiah had repaired the Temple, King Necho of Egypt came to fight a battle at Carchemish at the Euphrates River. Josiah went to attack him. Neco sent messengers to Josiah. He said: What is your quarrel with me, king of Judah? I am not attacking you. I have come to fight those who are at war with me. God told me to hurry. God is with me, so stop now or he will destroy you. read more. But Josiah would not stop his attack. He disguised himself as he went into battle. He refused to listen to Necho's words, which came from God. He went to fight in the valley of Megiddo. Some archers shot King Josiah. The king told his officers: Take me away because I am badly wounded. His officers took him out of the chariot and brought him to Jerusalem in his other chariot. He died and was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah. All the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their lamentations (dirges) to this day. They made them an ordinance in Israel. They are also written in the Lamentations.
Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah. All the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their lamentations (dirges) to this day. They made them an ordinance in Israel. They are also written in the Lamentations.
The king of Egypt removed him from office in Jerusalem and fined the country seven thousand five hundred pounds of silver and seventy-five pounds of gold.
Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged (fenced) in?
Have I sinned? What have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why have you made me your target? Am I a burden to you?
Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
If I hold my head high, you stalk me like a lion and again display your awesome power against me.
God has blocked my path so that I cannot go on. He has made my path dark.
Now they make fun of me with songs. I have become a joke to them.
Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
Let their table before them become a snare. Let it become retribution and a trap.
But You, O Jehovah, remain forever. Your name is for all generations.
They will perish, but you endure. All of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing you will renew them and they will be renewed. But you are the same. Your years will not come to an end.
Give her of the fruit of her hands. Let her own works praise her in the gates.
From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head there is no healthy spot left on your body. You have only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds. They have not been cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Something horrible and disgusting is happening in the land. Prophets prophesy falsehoods. Priests rule under the prophets' directions, and my people love this. But what will you do when the end comes?'
Do not go out into the field. Do not walk on the road. The enemy has a sword and terror is on every side.
Cut off your hair and cast it away. Take up a cry of sorrow and grief on the bare heights. Jehovah has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.'
For the brokenness of the daughter of my people I am broken. I mourn and dismay has taken hold of me.
Oh that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears. Then I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
I will punish them for these things, declares Jehovah. I will punish this nation and I will not be satisfied.
I will scatter them among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. I will send the sword (violence and warfare) after them until I have annihilated them.'
A voice of wailing is heard from Zion: How we are ruined! We are put to great shame for we have left the land, because they have cast down our dwellings.
O Jehovah of Hosts, you are a fair judge. You test motives and thoughts. I want to see you take revenge on them. For that reason I presented my case to you.
If you will not listen, I will cry secretly over your arrogance. I will cry bitterly, and my eyes will flow with tears because Jehovah's flock will be taken captive.
I said: Alas, O Lord Jehovah, prophets are telling them: 'You will not see wars or famines, for I will give you lasting peace in this place. Jehovah then told me: These are the lies that the prophets are telling in my name: They claim that I sent them. They claim that I commanded them. They claim that I spoke to them. They even dreamed up visions to tell you. Their predictions are worthless! They are the products of their own imagination.
Say this to them: 'My eyes flow with tears day and night without stopping because my dear people will suffer massive destruction. It will be a very serious blow.
This is what Jehovah the God of Israel said to me: 'Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my fury, and make all the nations to whom I am sending you drink from it. When they drink from it, they will stagger and go insane because of the wars that I am going to send them.' read more. So I took the cup from Jehovah's hand. I made all the nations to whom Jehovah sent me drink from it. Jerusalem and the cities of Judah as well as its kings and officials drank from it. When they drank from it, they became wastelands and ruins, something ridiculed and cursed, until today. I also made these people drink from it: Pharaoh king of Egypt, his servants, officials, all his people, and all the foreign people living among them; all the kings of the land of Uz; all the kings of Philistia, those from the cities of Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron, and the people left in Ashdod; Edom, Moab, and the people of Ammon;
But the Babylonian army pursued them and captured Zedekiah in the plains near Jericho. Then they took him to King Nebuchadnezzar, who was in the city of Riblah in the territory of Hamath, and there Nebuchadnezzar passed sentence on him. At Riblah he put Zedekiah's sons to death while Zedekiah was looking on, and he also had the officials of Judah executed. read more. After that, he had Zedekiah's eyes put out and had him placed in chains to be taken to Babylon.
What do I see in them? They are terrified. They are retreating. Their warriors are defeated. They flee without looking back. Terror is all around them! declares Jehovah.
This is what Jehovah says: If those who do not deserve to drink from the cup still drink from it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished. You must drink from it.
She weeps bitterly in the night. Her cheeks are wet from crying. Her lovers offer no comfort. Her friends have been false to her. They have become her enemies.
The roads to Zion are sad. No one comes to the holy meeting. All her doorways are desolate. Her priests are sighing out of sorrow. Her virgins are troubled, and it is bitter for her. Her enemies are at ease and her foes have become her masters. Jehovah (YHWH) sends her sorrow because of the great number of her sins. Young children have gone away as prisoners before the attacker.
Jerusalem remembers in her days of sorrow and of her wanderings, all the desired things that were hers in the past. When her people were captive to the power of her adversary she had no helper. Her attackers desired her and made fun of her in her destruction.
In her skirts were her unclean ways. She did not think of the future. Her fall has been a wonder. She has no comforter: See her sorrow, O Jehovah, for the enemy is lifted up.
Come to me all you who go by, keep your eyes on me! See if there is any pain like the pain of my wound. For Jehovah has sent it to me in the day of his burning anger.
Jehovah makes fun of my men of war. He gathers men against me to send destruction on my young men. The virgin daughter of Judah has been crushed like grapes under the feet of Jehovah. For these things I weep. My eye streams with water because the comforter who might give me new life is far from me. My children are desolate because the enemy is strong. read more. Zion's hands are outstretched. She has no comforter. Jehovah gave orders to the attackers of Jacob round about him: Jerusalem is an unclean (abhorrent) thing among them.
Listen to the voice of my grief. I have no comforter. All my enemies have news of my troubles. They are glad because you did it. Let the day come when they will be like me.
Listen to the voice of my grief. I have no comforter. All my enemies have news of my troubles. They are glad because you did it. Let the day come when they will be like me.
He violently takes away his tent, as from a garden. And he lays waste his meeting-place. Jehovah has taken away the memory of feast and Sabbath in Zion. In the passion of his wrath he is against king and priest.
He violently takes away his tent, as from a garden. And he lays waste his meeting-place. Jehovah has taken away the memory of feast and Sabbath in Zion. In the passion of his wrath he is against king and priest. Jehovah rejected his altar and disowned his holy place. He gave up into the hands of the attacker the walls of her great houses. Their voices have been loud in the house of Jehovah as in the day of a holy meeting.
Her gates have gone down into the earth. He destroyed her locks and bars. Her king and her princes are among the nations where there is no law. Her prophets have had no vision from Jehovah.
Her gates have gone down into the earth. He destroyed her locks and bars. Her king and her princes are among the nations where there is no law. Her prophets have had no vision from Jehovah.
Her gates have gone down into the earth. He destroyed her locks and bars. Her king and her princes are among the nations where there is no law. Her prophets have had no vision from Jehovah.
My eyes fail from weeping. I am in torment. My heart is pulled out of me to the ground because my people are destroyed. Because of the young children and babies at the breast who are falling without strength in the open squares of the town.
My eyes fail from weeping. I am in torment. My heart is pulled out of me to the ground because my people are destroyed. Because of the young children and babies at the breast who are falling without strength in the open squares of the town. They say to their mothers: Where is grain and wine? When they are falling like the wounded in the open squares of the town. Their life is drained out while on their mother's breast. read more. What example am I to give you? What comparison am I to make for you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What am I to make equal to you, so that I may give you comfort, O virgin daughter of Zion? Your destruction is great like the sea. Who is able to make you well? The visions your prophets have seen for you are false and foolish! They have not made you fully aware of your sin so your fate might be changed. They have seen for you false words, driving you away.
The visions your prophets have seen for you are false and foolish! They have not made you fully aware of your sin so your fate might be changed. They have seen for you false words, driving you away.
All your enemies are opening their mouths wide against you. They hiss and whistle through their teeth and say: We have made a meal of her. Certainly this is the day we have been looking for. It has come and we see it. Jehovah accomplished his purpose. He accomplished what he said he would with the orders he gave in the days that are past. He tore down and shows no compassion. He causes your enemies to rejoice. He lifted up the horn (power) of your adversaries.
Look, O Jehovah! Why are you punishing us like this? Women are eating the bodies of the children they loved! Priests and prophets are killed in the Temple! Both young and old lie dead in the streets. Enemy swords kill young men and women. You slaughtered them without mercy on the day of your anger. read more. You invited my enemies to hold a festival of terror all around me. No one could escape on that day of your anger. They murdered my children, whom I had raised and loved.
He built a wall around me so that I am unable to go out. He made a heavy chain for me. Even when I send up a cry for help, he shuts out my prayer.
He is like a bear waiting for me, like a lion in secret places. He has turned me on one side. I have been pulled to bits and lay desolate. read more. With his bow bent, he made me the target for his arrows. He has let fly his arrows into the inmost parts of my body. I have become the laughingstock of all the peoples. I am their mocking song all the day.
I have become the laughingstock of all the peoples. I am their mocking song all the day.
I have become the laughingstock of all the peoples. I am their mocking song all the day. He has made my life nothing but pain. He gives me bitterness in full measure. read more. He broke my teeth with crushed stones. I am bent low in the dust. Peace has been removed far away from me. I do not remember what good is. I said: My strength is cut off, and my hope from Jehovah. Remember my trouble and my wandering, the bitterroot and the poison. Remember and bow (bend) (come down to my level) down deep within me. I remember this and I have hope. We have not come to destruction because of Jehovah's loving kindness. His mercies are without end.
We have not come to destruction because of Jehovah's loving kindness. His mercies are without end. They are new every morning. Your faithfulness is abundant.
They are new every morning. Your faithfulness is abundant. I said to myself, Jehovah is my heritage. For this reason I will hope in him.
I said to myself, Jehovah is my heritage. For this reason I will hope in him. Jehovah is good to those who are waiting for him, to the person seeking him.
Jehovah is good to those who are waiting for him, to the person seeking him. It is good to go on hoping and quietly waiting for the salvation of Jehovah.
It is good to go on hoping and quietly waiting for the salvation of Jehovah.
It is good to go on hoping and quietly waiting for the salvation of Jehovah. It is good for a man to carry the yoke when he is young.
It is good for a man to carry the yoke when he is young.
It is good for a man to carry the yoke when he is young. Let him sit by himself and keep silent because he has laid it on him.
Let him sit by himself and keep silent because he has laid it on him. Let him put his mouth in the dust for perhaps there exists hope.
Let him put his mouth in the dust for perhaps there exists hope. Let his face be turned to him who gives him blows; let him be full of shame.
Let his face be turned to him who gives him blows; let him be full of shame.
Let his face be turned to him who gives him blows; let him be full of shame. Jehovah does not give a man up for a very long time.
He takes no pleasure in troubling and causing grief to the children of men, it is not within his heart.
He takes no pleasure in troubling and causing grief to the children of men, it is not within his heart. A man crushes under his feet all the prisoners of the earth. read more. He turns away the judgment of a man before the face of the Most High.
He turns away the judgment of a man before the face of the Most High. Jehovah would not seek to deprive a man of justice.
Jehovah would not seek to deprive a man of justice. Who is able to say something should occur if Jehovah has not ordered it. read more. Do not calamities and good things come from the mouth of the Most High? What protest may a living man make? Can a man protest about the punishment for his sin? Let us search and put our ways to the test. Let us turn again to Jehovah. Let us lift up our hearts along with our hands to God in heaven. For we have done wrong. We have rebelled against your law. We have not received your forgiveness.
The mouths of all our enemies are open wide against us. Fear and deep waters have come on us with devastation and destruction. read more. Rivers of water run down from my eyes because pf the destruction of the daughter of my people.
Rivers of water run down from my eyes because pf the destruction of the daughter of my people. My eyes stream without stopping. They have no rest.
My eyes stream without stopping. They have no rest. Jehovah looks down and sees from heaven. read more. My eyes bring me pain because of all the daughters of my town.
You will give them their reward, O Jehovah. Answer the work of their hands. You will cover their hearts with your curse on them. read more. You will go after them in anger and annihilate them from under the heavens of Jehovah.
The tongue of the child at the breast is fixed to the roof of his mouth for need of drink. The young children cry out for bread, and no man gives it to them.
Those killed by the sword are better off than those who died of starvation. For these die slowly and waste away from lack of food from the field.
To the kings of the earth and to all the people of the world it did not seem possible that the attackers and the enemy would enter the gates of Jerusalem. It is because of the sins of her prophets and the evil doing of her priests. They have drained the blood of the upright out from her.
Jehovah has sent them in all directions. He will no longer take care of them. They had no respect for the priests and gave no honor to the elders. Our eyes are still wasting away in looking for our false help. We watch for a nation unable to give salvation.
The breath of our nostrils, Jehovah's anointed have been captured in their pits. We said, Under the shadow we live among the nations. Have joy and be glad, O daughter of Edom, living in the land of Uz. The cup will be given to you in your turn, and you will be overcome with wine and your shame will be seen.
Have joy and be glad, O daughter of Edom, living in the land of Uz. The cup will be given to you in your turn, and you will be overcome with wine and your shame will be seen. The punishment of your evil doing is complete, O daughter of Zion; never again will he take you away as a prisoner. He has turned his attention to your error, O daughter of Edom. He has uncovered your sin.
You, O Jehovah, are seated as King forever. The seat of your power is eternal.
You, O Jehovah, are seated as King forever. The seat of your power is eternal. Why have we gone from your memory forever? Why have you turned away from us for so long? read more. Make us come back to you, O Jehovah, and let us be restored. Make our days new again as in the past. But you have rejected us. You are full of wrath against us!
He said: These are my words that I spoke to you, while I was yet with you. All things must be fulfilled. They are things that are written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms, concerning me.