mine eye, mine eye. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis. It is not repeated in the Septuagint relieve my soul = bring me back to life. Compare Lamentations 1:19 . children = sons. Not the same word as in Lamentations 2:11 , Lamentations 2:19 , Lamentations 2:20 and Lamentations 4:4 . read more
Jacob. Referring to the natural seed. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 . Compare Lamentations 2:1 . read more
is. Hebrew = He [is]. people = peoples. read more
gave up the ghost = expired, or breathed their last. read more
Behold. Here begins the prayer. abroad the sword. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:25 ). read more
the day: i.e. the day of vengeance of Jeremiah 25:17-26 . read more
JERUSALEM PRAYS FOR GOD'S VENGEANCE UPON HER ENEMIES"Behold, O Jehovah, for I am in distress; my heart is troubled;My heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled:Abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is death.They have heard that I sigh; there is none to comfort me;All mine enemies have heard of my trouble;they are glad that thou hast done it:Thou wilt bring the day that thou hast proclaimed,and they shall be like unto me.Let all their wickedness come before thee;And do unto... read more
Lamentations 1:17. Zion spreadeth forth her hands— She extendeth her hands as a suppliant, praying for relief, and consolation: so Virgil says of Turnus: Ille, humilis supplexque, oculos dextramque precantem Protendens. AEN. xii. l. 930. Now low on earth the lofty chief is laid, With eyes cast upwards, and with arms display'd. DRYDEN. See Psalms 88:9; Psalms 143:6. read more
Lamentations 1:19. I called for my lovers— That is, "My allies, the Egyptians, and others, who had promised me assistance, but in the day of necessity cast me off." See on Lamentations 1:2. While they sought their meat to relieve their souls— The LXX and the Syriac add, "and found none." But no such words appear in the Hebrew copies, although the thing is implied; for had they found what they sought, they would not have died. read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:1-22
THE FIVE POEMSDesolation in Jerusalem (1:1-22)Jerusalem, once a busy commercial city, is now empty. She is like a woman who has lost her husband, like a princess who has become a slave. The nations (her ‘lovers’) who she thought would help her have proved useless, some even treacherous (1:1-3).When Jerusalem’s hour of crisis came, all her leaders fled, leaving the people to be attacked, plundered and taken captive. Now that all the usual activities of daily life have ceased, there remain only... read more