Bible Commentaries
Lamentations 2

Verse 1

the LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim say they altered "Jehovah" of the primitive text to "Adonai". See App-32 .

the beauty of Israel. Probably referring to the Temple (Isaiah 64:11 ), or the heroic defenders of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 1:19 ).

Israel. Referring to the spiritual seed. See note on Lamentations 1:17 .

His footstool. Probably referring to the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 28:2 ), or the sanctuary (Psalms 99:5 ; Psalms 132:7 . Isaiah 60:13 ).

Verse 2

swallowed up: i.e. as by an earthquake.

habitations = the open villages of the shepherds, in contrast with the strongholds of the next lines.

Verse 3

horn. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the self-protection afforded by it.

right hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia . App-6 .

Verse 4

His bow. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

all that were pleasant to the eye. Hebrew = all the desires of the eye; "eye" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Adjunct), for the things desired by it.

eye. Transfer here the colon which is wrongly placed after Zion.

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 .

Zion: place this colon after "eye" in preceding line, and connect Zion with the verb which follows.

Verse 5

her. Ginsburg thinks it should be "His".

mourning and lamentation. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ). Hebrew. taaniyyah vaaniyyah.

Verse 6

tabernacle = dwelling, or pavilion. Hebrew. sok. Occurs only here.

as if it were of a garden: or, as [a booth in] a garden [is destroyed] See note on Isaiah 1:8 . Septuagint reads "like a vine". Ginsburg thinks "like a thief".

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

solemn feasts = appointed seasons.

Verse 8

destroying = swallowing up.

Verse 9

ground = earth.

her king, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:36 ). App-92 .

Gentiles = nations.

the law is no more: i.e. is no longer known and obeyed. Compare Nehemiah 13:1 , and Esd Lam 14:20 , Lam 14:21 .

Verse 10

girded . . . with sackcloth. The outward symbol of mourning.

Verse 11

troubled = moved, or in ferment.

liver. Figure of speech for the seat of the emotions. Compare Job 16:13 .

children = babes.

Verse 12

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 14

prophets, &c. Compare Ezekiel 12:24 ; Ezekiel 13:1-16 , Ezekiel 13:23 ; Ezekiel 21:29 ; Ezekiel 22:28 .

turn away thy captivity = cause thy captives to return. See note on Deuteronomy 30:3 .

burdens = oracles.

causes of banishment. Here, the Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , is translated. Hebrew = expulsions, which is put for the effect of listening to those who brought about the expulsion (Jeremiah 2:8 ; Jeremiah 5:31 ; Jeremiah 14:14 ; Jeremiah 23:16 ).

Verse 15

pass by = pass by the way.

saying. Note the Ellipsis of this verb, which is very frequent in Hebrew. See Psalms 109:5 ; Psa 114:12 , &c.

Is . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Verse 16

All, &c. In some Codices, with Syriac, Lamentations 2:16 and Lamentations 2:17 are transposed to bring the letters Ayin and Pe into alphabetical order. The Septuagint leaves the verses, but transposes the letters. This is done because it is supposed to be a mistake. But it cannot be, because the same order appears in Lamentations 3:0 and Lamentations 4:0 , and in the former case it occurs three times, although the subject-matter allows no such break. It is easier to believe that the outward artificial form is sacrificed to call our attention to the greater importance of the utterance. In Lamentations 2:16 we learn what the enemy thought and said; but, as the Ayin really precedes the Pe , so we are reminded that this was only owing to Jehovah's purpose which had been revealed centuries before. See note on Lamentations 2:17 .

Verse 17

For the transposition of the Hebrew alphabet here, see note on Lamentations 2:16 , above.

devised. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:16 , Leviticus 26:17 . Deuteronomy 28:15 ).

Verse 18

Cried = cried (distressfully).

Verse 19

the LORD*. This is the reading in some Codices, with one early printed edition.

Verse 20

consider. Put a colon after "consider", and an"? "after "this".

Shall . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:29 . Deuteronomy 28:53 ). App-92 .

span. See App-51 .

Verse 22

solemn day = day of assembly.

terrors round about. Compare Jeremiah 6:25 ; Jeremiah 20:3 , Jeremiah 20:10 ; Jeremiah 46:5 ; Jeremiah 49:29 .