Lamentations 2:1-3

1 How the Lord has covered Daughter Zion with the cloud of his anger[a] ! He has hurled down the splendor of Israel from heaven to earth; he has not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger.
2 Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob; in his wrath he has torn down the strongholds of Daughter Judah. He has brought her kingdom and its princes down to the ground in dishonor.
3 In fierce anger he has cut off every horn[b][c] of Israel. He has withdrawn his right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it.

Lamentations 2:1-3 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 10

  • 1. Lamentations 3:44
  • 2. Psalms 99:5; Psalms 132:7
  • 3. S Jeremiah 12:7
  • 4. ver 17; Lamentations 3:43
  • 5. Psalms 21:9
  • 6. Psalms 89:39-40; Micah 5:11
  • 7. S Isaiah 25:12
  • 8. Psalms 75:5,10
  • 9. Psalms 74:11
  • 10. S Isaiah 42:25; Jer 21:4-5,14

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Or "How the Lord in his anger" / "has treated Daughter Zion with contempt"
  • [b]. Or "off" / "all the strength" ; or "every king"
  • [c]. "Horn" here symbolizes strength.
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