Lamentations 3:7

7 He hath hedged me about, and I go not out, He hath made heavy my fetter.

Lamentations 3:7 Meaning and Commentary

Lamentations 3:7

He hath hedged me about, that I cannot go out
When in prison, or in the dungeon, or during the siege of Jerusalem; though the phrase may only denote in general the greatness of his troubles, with which he was encompassed, and how inextricable they were; like a hedge about a vineyard, or a wall about a city, which could not easily be got over: he hath made my chain heavy;
his affliction intolerable. It is a metaphor taken from malefactors that have heavy chains put upon their legs, that they may not make their escape out of prison: or, "my brass" {g}; that is, chains, or a chain made of brass; so the Targum,

``he hath made heavy upon my feet fetters of brass.''

FOOTNOTES:

F7 (ytvxn) (calkon mou) Sept. "aes meum, [vel] chalybem meum", Piscator.

Lamentations 3:7 In-Context

5 He hath built up against me, And setteth round poverty and weariness.
6 In dark places He hath caused me to dwell, As the dead of old.
7 He hath hedged me about, and I go not out, He hath made heavy my fetter.
8 Also when I call and cry out, He hath shut out my prayer.
9 He hath hedged my ways with hewn work, My paths He hath made crooked.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.