How = Alas! or, O how! Hebrew. 'eykah = an exclamation of pain and grief, a wailing cry (preserved in Eng. " jackal "). The Massorah ( App-30 ) points out that this exclamation is used by three prophets, concerning Israel:
(1) by Moses in her multiplication (Deuteronomy 1:12 . Compare Lamentations 1:11 );
(2) by Isaiah in her dissipation (Isaiah 1:21 );
(3) by Jeremiah in her desolation (Lamentations 1:1 ).
This word "How" is to be supplied at the beginning of verses: Lamentations 1:2-3 by Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ). Compare also Lamentations 2:1 ; Lamentations 4:1 ; and Isaiah 14:12 .
solitary: i.e. empty; referring to the houses and streets.
weepeth sore. Note Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). The Hebrew = a weeping she weepeth. Thus well rendered. See note on Genesis 26:28 ; and note the Figure of speech Prosopopoeia ( App-6 ).
lovers: i.e. allies, whom she had preferred to Jehovah. See Jeremiah 2:17 , Jeremiah 2:27 , Jeremiah 2:36 , Jeremiah 2:37 ; Jeremiah 4:30 ; Jeremiah 22:22 .Ezekiel 23:0 ; and Lam 29:6 , Lam 29:7 , Lam 29:16 .
enemies. Especially the Edomites and Ammonites. Compare Jeremiah 12:14 .
among the heathen. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:64 , Deuteronomy 28:65 ).
heathen = nations.
persecutors = pursuers.
between the straits. Like a hunted animal driven where there is no escape. Same word as in Psalms 116:3 ; Psalms 118:5 . Occurs only in these three places. Compare Lamentations 1:6 .
Verse 1
How = Alas! or, O how! Hebrew. 'eykah = an exclamation of pain and grief, a wailing cry (preserved in Eng. " jackal "). The Massorah ( App-30 ) points out that this exclamation is used by three prophets, concerning Israel:
(1) by Moses in her multiplication (Deuteronomy 1:12 . Compare Lamentations 1:11 );
(2) by Isaiah in her dissipation (Isaiah 1:21 );
(3) by Jeremiah in her desolation (Lamentations 1:1 ).
This word "How" is to be supplied at the beginning of verses: Lamentations 1:2-3 by Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ). Compare also Lamentations 2:1 ; Lamentations 4:1 ; and Isaiah 14:12 .
solitary: i.e. empty; referring to the houses and streets.
Verse 2
weepeth sore. Note Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). The Hebrew = a weeping she weepeth. Thus well rendered. See note on Genesis 26:28 ; and note the Figure of speech Prosopopoeia ( App-6 ).
lovers: i.e. allies, whom she had preferred to Jehovah. See Jeremiah 2:17 , Jeremiah 2:27 , Jeremiah 2:36 , Jeremiah 2:37 ; Jeremiah 4:30 ; Jeremiah 22:22 .Ezekiel 23:0 ; and Lam 29:6 , Lam 29:7 , Lam 29:16 .
enemies. Especially the Edomites and Ammonites. Compare Jeremiah 12:14 .
Verse 3
among the heathen. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:64 , Deuteronomy 28:65 ).
heathen = nations.
persecutors = pursuers.
between the straits. Like a hunted animal driven where there is no escape. Same word as in Psalms 116:3 ; Psalms 118:5 . Occurs only in these three places. Compare Lamentations 1:6 .
Verse 4
The ways. Not streets in the city, but the roads leading thereto.
mourn. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .
solemn feasts = appointed feasts. See note on Psalms 74:8 (same word).
bitterness = bitter for her. Instead of festal joy, Compare Jeremiah 7:34 ; Jeremiah 16:9 ; Jeremiah 25:10 ; Jeremiah 31:13 ; Jeremiah 33:11 .
Verse 5
are the chiefs are the head. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:13 , Deuteronomy 28:44 ), the same word. App-92 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . transgressions = rebellions. Hebrew. pasha' . App-44 .
children = young children, as in Lamentations 2:11 , Lamentations 2:19 , Lamentations 2:20 , and Lamentations 4:4 . Not "sons".
Verse 6
like harts. See note on Lamentations 1:3 .
Verse 7
pleasant things. Hebrew = things of desire. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the things she used to enjoy.
sabbaths: or, sabbath-keepings; which she had herself profaned. See Jeremiah 17:21-23 .Ezekiel 22:8 , Ezekiel 22:26 ; Ezekiel 23:38 ,
Verse 8
grievously sinned. Note the Figure of speech Polyptoton Hebrew = sinned a sin. Thus well rendered. See note on "weepeth sore" (Lamentations 1:2 ).
sinned . Hebrew. chata' . App-44 .
is remove d = separated as unclean.
Verse 9
remernbereth = remembered.
last end = hereafter.
wonderfully. Hebrew, plural "wonders" = a great wonder.
behold = see, behold. Same word as in verses: Lamentations 1:18 , Lamentations 1:20 . Not the same word as in Lamentations 1:12 .
Verse 10
entered into her sanctuary. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 23:3 ), a technical expression. App-92 .
congregation = convocation, or assembly.
Verse 11
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
Verse 12
behold = look attentively. Not the same word as in verses: Lamentations 1:9 , Lamentations 1:18 , Lamentations 1:20 .
be = exists. Hebrew. yesh. See Genesis 18:24 .Proverbs 8:21 ; Proverbs 18:24 , &c.
sorrow = pain.
done unto me. Compare Lamentations 1:22 ; Lamentations 3:15 .
Verse 14
The yoke, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:48 ), the same words. App-92 .
wreathed = intertwined.
He: or. It: i.e. the yoke.
fall = stumble.
the LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim say they changed Jehovah to Adonai. See App-32 .
Verse 15
mighty men = valiant ones. Hebrew. 'abir . Not the same word as in Lamentations 3:1 , Lamentations 3:27 , Lamentations 3:35 , Lamentations 3:39 .
called = proclaimed. Same word as in verses: Lamentations 1:19 , Lamentations 1:21 .
an assembly = a festal gathering. Now that Israel's feasts had ceased, there was another of a different nature and with a different object.
winepress. Hebrew. gath, where the grapes were trodden. Not the vat ( yekeb ) into which the juice was received.
Verse 16
mine eye, mine eye. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis. It is not repeated in the Septuagint
relieve my soul = bring me back to life. Compare Lamentations 1:19 .
children = sons. Not the same word as in Lamentations 2:11 , Lamentations 2:19 , Lamentations 2:20 and Lamentations 4:4 .
Verse 17
Jacob. Referring to the natural seed. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 . Compare Lamentations 2:1 .
Verse 18
is. Hebrew = He [is].
people = peoples.
Verse 19
gave up the ghost = expired, or breathed their last.
Verse 20
Behold. Here begins the prayer.
abroad the sword. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:25 ).
Verse 21
the day: i.e. the day of vengeance of Jeremiah 25:17-26 .
Verse 22
Let all, &c. This prayer is in accordance with that Dispensation. Not with this. See App-63 .
wickedness. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
as =. according as.
transgressions = rebellions. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .