Lamentations 2 Study Notes

This root in other languages denotes “enemy,” “hostility,” “opposition,” and “damage.” Tsar occurs most often in poetry and eighteen times as a synonym for ’oyeb, the most common word for “enemy” (Est 7:6). Tsar signifies foe (Dt 32:27), adversary (Nm 10:9), or enemy (Gn 14:20). It derives from and appears with the verb tsarar (26x), which means attack (Nm 10:9), harass (Nm 33:55), or oppress (Am 5:12). Tsarar most often functions as a participle indicating foe (Ex 23:22), adversary (Ps 7:6), enemy (Ps 6:7), or one who attacks (Ps 143:12). The participle appears with the related verb tsur (4x), which implies being a foe (Ex 23:22) or hostile (Est 8:11) and showing hostility (Dt 2:9). Tsarah, a feminine form of tsar, denotes a second wife who is a rival in a bigamous marriage (1Sm 1:6).

2:13 Words fail Jeremiah as he struggles to make sense of what has happened. It is as catastrophic as a churning sea.

2:14 Jeremiah had warned that the false prophets’ words were empty and deceptive (Jr 23:18-22; cp. Ezk 13:10-16).

2:15-16 The pagan nations not only clap their hands at Judah and shake their heads, but as an ultimate insult, they hiss and gnash their teeth at Jerusalem. The city that had been known as the perfection of beauty (Ps 50:2) and the joy of the whole earth (Ps 48:2) was now an object of ridicule.

2:17 Despite the enemy’s gloating over Judah, the destruction was not ultimately due to their power and cunning. This destruction was by God’s decree.

2:18 In a personification, the Wall of Daughter Zion is called upon to let its tears flow day and night as long as the ruins remain.

2:19 Judah is to call on the name of the Lord with her heart poured out like water, starting with the first watch—from sunset until 10:00 p.m.

2:20-22 Jeremiah had taught the people, both young and old (v. 21), how to express repentance to God in prayer (see Jr 14:17-19).

2:20 Should women eat their own children? This is how desperate conditions became during the siege of Jerusalem. People fought over whose child should be eaten next (4:10; see Jr 19:9; Ezk 5:10).

2:22 The phrase those who terrorize me on every side may also be rendered “terrors on every side.” This jeer was hurled at Jeremiah repeatedly during his ministry (Jr 6:25; 20:3,10; 46:5; 49:29).