Lamentations 1
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
How doth the city sit solitary - Sitting down, with the elbow on the knee, and the head supported by the hand, without any company, unless an oppressor near, - all these were signs of mourning and distress. The coin struck by Vespasian on the capture of Jerusalem, on the obverse of which there is a palm-tree, the emblem of Judea, and under it a woman, the emblem of Jerusalem, sitting, leaning as before described, with the legend Judea capta, illustrates this expression as well as that in Isa 47:1. See the note on Isa 3:26 (note), where the subject is farther explained. Become as a widow - Having lost her king. Cities are commonly described as the mothers of their inhabitants, the kings as husbands, and the princes as children. When therefore they are bereaved of these, they are represented as widows, and childless. The Hindoo widow, as well as the Jewish, is considered the most destitute and wretched of all human beings. She has her hair cut short, throws off all ornaments, eats the coarsest food, fasts often, and is all but an outcast in the family of her late husband. Is she become tributary! - Having no longer the political form of a nation; and the remnant that is left paying tribute to a foreign and heathen conqueror.
Open source ↗how is she . . . widow! she that was great, &c.--English Version is according to the accents. But the members of each sentence are better balanced in antithesis, thus, "how is she that was great among the nations become as a widow! (how) she who was princess among the provinces (that is, she who ruled over the surrounding provinces from the Nile to the Euphrates, Gen 15:18; Kg1 4:21; Ch2 9:26; Ezr 4:20) become tributary!" [MAURER]. sit--on the ground; the posture of mourners (Lam 2:10; Ezr 9:3). The coin struck on the taking of Jerusalem by Titus, representing Judea as a female sitting solitary under a palm tree, with the inscription, JudÃ&brvbra Capta, singularly corresponds to the image here; the language therefore must be prophetical of her state subsequent to Titus, as well as referring retrospectively to her Babylonian captivity.
Open source ↗How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people!.... These are the words of Jeremiah; so the Targum introduces them, "Jeremiah the prophet and high priest said;'' and began thus, "how"; not inquiring the reasons of this distress and ruin; but as amazed and astonished at it; and commiserating the sad case of the city of Jerusalem, which a little time ago was exceeding populous; had thousands of inhabitants in it; besides those that came from other parts to see it, or trade with it: and especially when the king of Babylon had invaded the land, which drove vast numbers to Jerusalem for safety; and which was the case afterwards when besieged by the Romans; at which time, as Josephus (f) relates, there were eleven hundred thousand persons; and very probably a like number was in it before the destruction of it by the Chaldeans, who all perished through famine, pestilence, and the sword; or were carried captive; or made their escape; so that the city, as was foretold it should, came to be without any inhabitant; and therefore is represented as "sitting", which is the posture of mourners; and as "solitary", or "alone" (g), like a menstruous woman in her separation, to which it is compared, Lam 1:17; or as a leper removed from the society of men; so the Targum, "as a man that has the plague of leprosy on his flesh, that dwells alone;'' or rather as a woman deprived of her husband and children; as follows: how is she become as a widow! her king, that was her head and husband, being taken from her, and carried captive; and God, who was the husband also of the Jewish people, having departed from them, and so left in a state of widowhood. Jarchi (h) observes, that it is not said a widow simply, but as a widow, because her husband would return again; and therefore only during…
Open source ↗Doleful consideration and description of the dishonour that has befallen Jerusalem. In these verses the prophet, in the name of the godly, pours out his heart before the Lord. The dreadful turn that things have taken is briefly declared in Lam 1:1 in two clauses, which set forth the fall of Jerusalem from its former glory into the depths of disgrace and misery, in such a way that the verse contains the subject unfolded in the description that follows. We have deviated from the Masoretic pointing, and arranged the verse into three members, as in the succeeding verses, which nearly throughout form tristichs, and have been divided into two halves by means of the Athnach; but we agree with the remark of Gerlach, "that, according to the sense, היתה למס and not היתה כּאלמנה is the proper antithesis to רבּתי בגּוים." איכה is here, as in Lam 2:1; Lam 4:1-2, an expression of complaint mingled with astonishment; so in Jer 48:17; Isa 1:21. "She sits solitary" (cf. Jer 15:17) is intensified by "she has become like a widow." Her sitting alone is a token of deep sorrow (cf. Neh 1:4), and, as applied to a city, is a figure of desolation; cf. Isa 27:10. Here, however, the former reference is the main one; for Jerusalem is personified as a woman, and, with regard to its numerous population, is viewed as the mother of a great multitude of children. רבּתי is a form of the construct state, lengthened by Yod compaginis, found thrice in this verse, and also in Isa 1:21, elegiac composition; such forms are used, in general, only in poetry that preserves and affects the antique style, and reproduces its peculiar ring. (Note: On the different views regarding the origin and meaning of this Yod compaginis, cf. Fr. W. M. Philippi, Wesen u. Ursprung des Status constr. im Hebr. S. 96ff. This writer…
Open source ↗Those that have any disposition to weep with those that weep, one would think, should scarcely be able to refrain from tears at the reading of these verses, so very pathetic are the lamentations here. I. The miseries of Jerusalem are here complained of as very pressing and by many circumstances very much aggravated. Let us take a view of these miseries. 1. As to their civil state. (1.) A city that was populous is now depopulated, Lam 1:1. It is spoken of by way of wonder - Who would have thought that ever it should come to this! Or by way of enquiry - What is it that has brought it to this? Or by way of lamentation - Alas! alas! (as Rev 18:10, Rev 18:16, Rev 18:19) how doth the city sit solitary that was full of people! She was full of her own people that replenished her, and full of the people of other nations that resorted to her, with whom she had both profitable commerce and pleasant converse; but now her own people are carried into captivity, and strangers make no court to her: she sits solitary. The chief places of the city are not now, as they used to be, place of concourse, where wisdom cried (Pro 1:20, Pro 1:21); and justly are they left unfrequented, because wisdom's cry there was not heard. Note, Those that are ever so much increased God can soon diminish. How has she become as a widow! Her king that was, or should have been, as a husband to her, is cut off, and gone; her God has departed from her, and has given her a bill of divorce; she is emptied of her children, is solitary and sorrowful as a widow. Let no family, no state, not Jerusalem, no, nor Babylon herself, be secure, and say, I sit as a queen, and shall never sit as a widow, Isa 47:8; Rev 18:7. (2.) A city that had dominion is now in subjection. She had been great among the nations, greatly loved b…
Open source ↗1:1-22 Chapter 1 mourns the destruction and desolation of Jerusalem, recognizing that this was God’s well-deserved judgment on Israel’s sins.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בָּדָד (bâdâd, H910) — separate; adverb, separately רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אַלְמָנָה (ʼalmânâh, H490) — a widow; also a desolate place גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… שָׂרָה (sârâh, H8282) — a mistress, i.e. female noble מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… מַס (maç, H4522) — properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e. a tax in the form of forced labor
Open source ↗בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity דִּמְעָה (dimʻâh, H1832) — weeping לְחִי (lᵉchîy, H3895) — the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) נָחַם (nâcham, H5162) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a… רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) בָּגַד (bâgad, H898) — to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary
Open source ↗יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… עֳנִי (ʻŏnîy, H6040) — depression, i.e. misery רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… מָנוֹחַ (mânôwach, H4494) — quiet, i.e. (concretely) a settled spot, or (figuratively) a home רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) מֵצַר (mêtsar, H4712) — something tight, i.e. (figuratively) trouble
Open source ↗דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem אָבֵל (ʼâbêl, H57) — lamenting בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate שָׁמֵם (shâmêm, H8074) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אָנַח (ʼânach, H584) — to sigh בְּתוּלָה (bᵉthûwlâh, H1330) — a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a… יָגָה (yâgâh, H3013) — to grieve מָרַר (mârar, H4843) — to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary שָׁלָה (shâlâh, H7951) — to be tranquil, i.e. secure or successful יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָגָה (yâgâh, H3013) — to grieve רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) עוֹלֵל (ʻôwlêl, H5768) — a suckling הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) שְׁבִי (shᵉbîy, H7628) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem הָדָר (hâdâr, H1926) — magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אַיָּל (ʼayâl, H354) — a stag or male deer מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… מִרְעֶה (mirʻeh, H4829) — pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by)
Open source ↗יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עֳנִי (ʻŏnîy, H6040) — depression, i.e. misery מָרוּד (mârûwd, H4788) — an outcast; (abstractly) destitution מַחְמֻד (machmud, H4262) — desired; hence, a valuable קֶדֶם (qedem, H6924) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity);… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… עָזַר (ʻâzar, H5826) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… שָׂחַק (sâchaq, H7832) — to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
Open source ↗יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine חֵטְא (chêṭᵉʼ, H2399) — a crime or its penalty חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… נִידָה (nîydâh, H5206) — removal, i.e. exile כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… זוּל (zûwl, H2107) — probably to shake out, i.e. (by implication) to scatter profusely; figuratively, to treat… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עֶרְוָה (ʻervâh, H6172) — nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish) אָנַח (ʼânach, H584) — to sigh שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr, H268) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West
Open source ↗טֻמְאָה (ṭumʼâh, H2932) — religious impurity שׁוּל (shûwl, H7757) — a skirt; by implication, a bottom edge זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… אַחֲרִית (ʼachărîyth, H319) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… פֶּלֶא (peleʼ, H6382) — a miracle נָחַם (nâcham, H5162) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עֳנִי (ʻŏnîy, H6040) — depression, i.e. misery אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,…
Open source ↗צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מַחְמָד (machmâd, H4261) — delightful; hence, a delight, i.e. object of affection or desire רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdâsh, H4720) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely)
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָנַח (ʼânach, H584) — to sigh בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מַחְמָד (machmâd, H4261) — delightful; hence, a delight, i.e. object of affection or desire מַחְמֻד (machmud, H4262) — desired; hence, a valuable אֹכֶל (ʼôkel, H400) — food שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care זָלַל (zâlal, H2151) — to shake (as in the wind), i.e. to quake; figuratively, to be loose morally, worthless or…
Open source ↗עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) מַכְאֹב (makʼôb, H4341) — anguish or (figuratively) affliction עָלַל (ʻâlal, H5953) — to effect thoroughly; specifically, to glean (also figuratively); by implication (in a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָגָה (yâgâh, H3013) — to grieve יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חָרוֹן (chârôwn, H2740) — a burning of anger אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗מָרוֹם (mârôwm, H4791) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… רָדָה (râdâh, H7287) — to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr, H268) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) שָׁמֵם (shâmêm, H8074) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both… דָּוֶה (dâveh, H1739) — sick (especially in menstruation) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗עֹל (ʻôl, H5923) — a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) שָׂקַד (sâqad, H8244) — to fasten יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), שָׂרַג (sârag, H8276) — to intwine עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… כָּשַׁל (kâshal, H3782) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication,… אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame; do not be intimidated, for you will not be humiliated. For you will forget the shame of your youth and will remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth.
This carefree city that dwells securely, that thinks to herself: “I am it, and there is none besides me,” what a ruin she has become, a resting place for beasts. Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.
The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!
O city of commotion, O town of revelry? Your slain did not die by the sword, nor were they killed in battle.
As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’
How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations.