Lamentations 2:15-17

15 All who pass your way clap their hands at you; they scoff and shake their heads at Daughter Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?”
16 All your enemies open their mouths wide against you; they scoff and gnash their teeth and say, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day we have waited for; we have lived to see it.”
17 The LORD has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago. He has overthrown you without pity, he has let the enemy gloat over you, he has exalted the horn[a] of your foes.

Lamentations 2:15-17 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 15

  • 1. S Numbers 24:10; Ezekiel 25:6
  • 2. S Deuteronomy 28:37; S Isaiah 28:22; Jeremiah 19:8; S Nahum 3:19
  • 3. S Job 16:4
  • 4. S Lamentations 1:21
  • 5. Psalms 45:11; S Psalms 48:2; Psalms 50:2; Ezekiel 16:14
  • 6. Psalms 48:2
  • 7. Psalms 22:13; Psalms 56:2; Lamentations 3:46
  • 8. S Job 16:9
  • 9. S Psalms 35:25
  • 10. Ezekiel 36:3; Micah 4:11
  • 11. S Jeremiah 39:16
  • 12. Deuteronomy 28:15-45
  • 13. S ver 2; Ezekiel 5:11; Ezekiel 7:9; Ezekiel 8:18
  • 14. S Psalms 22:17
  • 15. Psalms 89:42; S Isaiah 44:26; S Lamentations 1:5; Zechariah 1:6

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. "Horn" here symbolizes strength.
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