How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people how is she become as a widow she that was was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary
How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people how is she become as a widow she that was was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary
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.
She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.
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 ; and Lam 29:6 , Lam 29:7 , Lam 29:16 .
enemies. Especially the Edomites and Ammonites. Compare Jeremiah 12:14 .
Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.
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 .
The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
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 .
Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.
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".
And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.
like harts. See note on Lamentations 1:3 .
Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths.
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 ,
Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.
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.
Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.
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 .
The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.
entered into her sanctuary. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 23:3 ), a technical expression. App-92 .
congregation = convocation, or assembly.
All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.
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 .
From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.
The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.
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 .
The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.
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.
For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
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 .
Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.
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 .
The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
is. Hebrew = He [is].
people = peoples.
I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.
gave up the ghost = expired, or breathed their last.
Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.
Behold. Here begins the prayer.
abroad the sword. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:25 ).
They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.
the day: i.e. the day of vengeance of Jeremiah 25:17-26 .
Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.
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 .