---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "How = Alas! or, O how! Hebrew."
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/lamentations/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](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/1/12) . Compare [Lamentations 1:11](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/11) );
(2) by Isaiah in her dissipation ([Isaiah 1:21](../../../kjv/isaiah/1/21) );
(3) by Jeremiah in her desolation ([Lamentations 1:1](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/1) ).
This word "How" is to be supplied at the beginning of verses: [Lamentations 1:2-3](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/2-3) by Figure of speech *Ellipsis* ( App-6 ). Compare also [Lamentations 2:1](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/1) ; [Lamentations 4:1](../../../kjv/lamentations/4/1) ; and [Isaiah 14:12](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/jeremiah/2/17) , [Jeremiah 2:27](../../../kjv/jeremiah/2/27) , [Jeremiah 2:36](../../../kjv/jeremiah/2/36) , [Jeremiah 2:37](../../../kjv/jeremiah/2/37) ; [Jeremiah 4:30](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/30) ; [Jeremiah 22:22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/22/22) .[Ezekiel 23](../../../kjv/ezekiel/23) ; and Lam 29:6 , Lam 29:7 , Lam 29:16 .
**enemies.** Especially the Edomites and Ammonites. Compare [Jeremiah 12:14](../../../kjv/jeremiah/12/14) .

**among the heathen.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 28:64](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/64) , [Deuteronomy 28:65](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/psalms/116/3) ; [Psalms 118:5](../../../kjv/psalms/118/5) . Occurs only in these three places. Compare [Lamentations 1:6](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/6) .

**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](../../../kjv/psalms/74/8) (same word).
**bitterness** = bitter for her. Instead of festal joy, Compare [Jeremiah 7:34](../../../kjv/jeremiah/7/34) ; [Jeremiah 16:9](../../../kjv/jeremiah/16/9) ; [Jeremiah 25:10](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/10) ; [Jeremiah 31:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/31/13) ; [Jeremiah 33:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/33/11) .

**are the chiefs are the head.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 28:13](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/13) , [Deuteronomy 28:44](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/11) , [Lamentations 2:19](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/19) , [Lamentations 2:20](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/20) , and [Lamentations 4:4](../../../kjv/lamentations/4/4) . Not "sons".

**like harts.** See note on [Lamentations 1:3](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/3) .

**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](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/21-23) .[Ezekiel 22:8](../../../kjv/ezekiel/22/8) , [Ezekiel 22:26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/22/26) ; [Ezekiel 23:38](../../../kjv/ezekiel/23/38) ,

**grievously sinned.** Note the Figure of speech *Polyptoton* Hebrew = sinned a sin. Thus well rendered. See note on "weepeth sore" ([Lamentations 1:2](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/2) ).
**sinned** . Hebrew. *chata'* . App-44 .
**is remove d** = separated as unclean.

**remernbereth** = remembered.
**last end** = hereafter.
**wonderfully.** Hebrew, plural "wonders" = a great wonder.
**behold** = see, behold. Same word as in verses: [Lamentations 1:18](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/18) , [Lamentations 1:20](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/20) . Not the same word as in [Lamentations 1:12](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/12) .

**entered into her sanctuary.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 23:3](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/23/3) ), a technical expression. App-92 .
**congregation** = convocation, or assembly.

**soul.** Hebrew. *nephesh.* App-13 .

**behold** = look attentively. Not the same word as in verses: [Lamentations 1:9](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/9) , [Lamentations 1:18](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/18) , [Lamentations 1:20](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/20) .
**be** = exists. Hebrew. *yesh.* See [Genesis 18:24](../../../kjv/genesis/18/24) .[Proverbs 8:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/8/21) ; [Proverbs 18:24](../../../kjv/proverbs/18/24) , &c.
**sorrow** = pain.
**done unto me.** Compare [Lamentations 1:22](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/22) ; [Lamentations 3:15](../../../kjv/lamentations/3/15) .

**The yoke, &c.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 28:48](../../../kjv/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 .

**mighty men** = valiant ones. Hebrew. *'abir* . Not the same word as in [Lamentations 3:1](../../../kjv/lamentations/3/1) , [Lamentations 3:27](../../../kjv/lamentations/3/27) , [Lamentations 3:35](../../../kjv/lamentations/3/35) , [Lamentations 3:39](../../../kjv/lamentations/3/39) .
**called** = proclaimed. Same word as in verses: [Lamentations 1:19](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/19) , [Lamentations 1:21](../../../kjv/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.

**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](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/19) .
**children** = sons. Not the same word as in [Lamentations 2:11](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/11) , [Lamentations 2:19](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/19) , [Lamentations 2:20](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/20) and [Lamentations 4:4](../../../kjv/lamentations/4/4) .

**Jacob.** Referring to the natural seed. See notes on [Genesis 32:28](../../../kjv/genesis/32/28) ; [Genesis 43:6](../../../kjv/genesis/43/6) ; [Genesis 45:26](../../../kjv/genesis/45/26) , [Genesis 45:28](../../../kjv/genesis/45/28) . Compare [Lamentations 2:1](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/1) .

**is.** Hebrew = He [is].
**people** = peoples.

**gave up the ghost** = expired, or breathed their last.

**Behold.** Here begins the prayer.
**abroad the sword.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 32:25](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/25) ).

**the day:** i.e. the day of vengeance of [Jeremiah 25:17-26](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/17-26) .

**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 .

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