Lamentations 2:10-12

Yod

10 The elders of Daughter Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads[a] and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.[b]

Kaf

11 My eyes are worn out from weeping;[c] I am churning within. My heart is poured out in grief[d][e] because of the destruction of my dear people,[f] because children and infants faint in the streets of the city.

Lamed

12 They cry out to their mothers: Where is the grain and wine?[g] as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers.

Lamentations 2:10-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LAMENTATIONS 2

This chapter contains another alphabet, in which the Prophet Jeremiah, or those he represents, lament the sad condition of Jerusalem; the destruction of the city and temple, and of all persons and things relative to them, and to its civil or church state; and that as being from the hand of the Lord himself, who is represented all along as the author thereof, because of their sins, La 2:1-9; and then the elders and virgins of Zion are represented as in great distress, and weeping for those desolations; which were very much owing to the false prophets, that had deceived them, La 2:10-14; and all this occasioned great rejoicing in the enemies of Zion, La 2:15-17; but sorrow of heart to Zion herself, who is called to weeping, La 2:18,19; and the chapter is concluded with an address to the Lord, to take this her sorrowful case into consideration, and show pity and compassion, La 2:20-22.

Footnotes 7

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