ZION'S FORMER GLORY CONTRASTED WITH HER PRESENT HUMILIATION In this fourth dirge the poet describes the miseries of the various classes in the sack of Jerusalem, concluding with a warning to Edom. In structure, each alphabetic v. is composed of two rather than of three sub-divisions, the ideas and... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW IS THE GOLD BECOME DIM] The three words used for gold, pure gold, and fine gold, in Lamentations 4:1, all stand metaphorically for Jerusalem's most precious possessions, particularly her inhabitants. THE STONES OF THE SANCTUARY] the choicest portion of Zion's citizens (Lamentations 2:19; Zechari... [ Continue Reading ]
EARTHEN PITCHERS, THE WORK OF THE HANDS OF THE POTTER] The contrast is not merely one of the materials, gold and clay, but of workmanship (Jeremiah 18:1; Jeremiah 19:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SEA MONSTERS] RV 'the jackals' (Jeremiah 9:11). The thought is that even wild beasts suckle their young, but the women of Jerusalem are become cruel and take no heed of their children's pitiful cries. LIKE THE OSTRICHES] here taken as the type of cruelty and heartlessness, because they forsake t... [ Continue Reading ]
DELICATELY] daintily (Proverbs 29:21). BROUGHT UP IN SCARLET] lit. 'carried upon scarlet,' as infants. EMBRACE DUNGHILLS] lie upon dust heaps. The contrast is most vivid. From the highest luxury, the upper classes in Jerusalem have been reduced to the extremest poverty.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF THE INIQUITY] RV 'For the iniquity.' AS IN A MOMENT] Sodom was overthrown suddenly; Jerusalem's sufferings were prolonged. Hence it is inferred that Jerusalem's sin was greater than Sodom's. Our Lord modified this ancient view of sin and punishment (Luke 13:1). AND NO HANDS STA... [ Continue Reading ]
NAZARITES] RV 'nobles,' probably alluding to the Rechabites, famous at that time for their purity and temperance (Jeremiah 35).... [ Continue Reading ]
BETTER] i.e. better off. Death by the sword, prior to the siege, is pronounced preferable to being gradually wasted by famine. FOR _WANT OF_ THE FRUITS OF THE FIELD] lit. 'from the produce of the field,' famine being more cruel than the enemy (Psalms 109:24).... [ Continue Reading ]
This v. describes a gruesome scene, alluded to in Lamentations 2:20, and predicted in Jeremiah 19:9. PITIFUL WOMEN] the daughters of an effete civilisation, who had been nursed in the lap of luxury. 11-16. The ignominious fate of the prophets and priests. This section begins and ends with an accou... [ Continue Reading ]
KINDLED A FIRE IN ZION] poetic for the glowing of Jehovah's anger (2 Chronicles 36:19).... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE SINS OF] RV 'It is because of the sins of.' Zion's prophets were really murderers (2 Chronicles 24:21; Jeremiah 26:23).... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE WANDERED] reeled and staggered, reckless of their responsibilities as leaders.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY CRIED UNTO THEM] the people applied to them what lepers were required to declare of themselves, viz. Unclean! Unclean! (Leviticus 13:45). Theirs was spiritual leprosy. THEY SAID AMONG THE HEATHEN] When ostracised, people abroad said, They shall tarry here no longer. They were unwelcome everywhe... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ANGER OF THE LORD HATH DIVIDED THEM] lit. 'the face of Jehovah hath scattered them.' 17-20. The vain hope of escape; even the king being captured. This short section is in the first person plural.... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'Our eyes do yet fail _in looking_ for our vain help.' Egypt or some other expected ally disappoints (Jeremiah 37:7; Isaiah 36:6).... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR PERSECUTORS] RV 'our pursuers.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BREATH OF OUR NOSTRILS] a rather strong expression to use of Zedekiah, yet he was Jerusalem's king, and though weak, 'the anointed of Jehovah.' UNDER HIS SHADOW] even as captives, they hoped to be allowed some sort of national organisation with Zedekiah as their head. The hope expressed is pathe... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICE AND BE GLAD] i.e. enjoy thy malicious but fleeting satisfaction (Jeremiah 49:7). Edom is typical of the church's foes today. UZ] the territory lying SE. of Palestine, extending probably into Arabia (Jeremiah 25:20). THE CUP] the symbol of divine wrath (Jeremiah 25:17).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PUNISHMENT OF THINE INIQUITY IS ACCOMPLISHED] lit. 'ended.' For one brief moment the curtain of gloom is lifted, and a hope—in a sense a Messianic hope—is held out to Zion (Isaiah 40:2). HE WILL DISCOVER THY SINS] i.e. he will punish thy sins; for, if to cover is to forgive, to discover must be... [ Continue Reading ]