Lamentations 2:16-17

16 All 1your enemies Have opened their mouths wide against you; They hiss and 2gnash their teeth. They say, "We have 3swallowed her up! Surely this is the 4day for which we waited; We have reached it, we have seen it."
17 The LORD has 5done what He purposed; He has accomplished His word Which He commanded from days of old. He has thrown down 6without sparing, And He has caused the enemy to 7rejoice over you; He has 8exalted the might of your adversaries.

Lamentations 2:16-17 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.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Job 16:10; Psalms 22:13; Lamentations 3:46
  • 2. Job 16:9; Psalms 35:16; Psalms 37:12
  • 3. Psalms 56:2; Psalms 124:3; Jeremiah 51:34
  • 4. Obad 12-15
  • 5. Jeremiah 4:28
  • 6. Lamentations 2:1, 2; Ezekiel 5:11; Ezekiel 7:8, 9; Ezekiel 8:18
  • 7. Psalms 35:24, 26; Psalms 89:42; Isaiah 14:29
  • 8. Deuteronomy 28:43, 44; Lamentations 1:5

Footnotes 1

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