Lamentations 1:5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 1:1-11

Those that have any disposition to weep with those that weep, one would think, should scarcely be able to refrain from tears at the reading of these verses, so very pathetic are the lamentations here. I. The miseries of Jerusalem are here complained of as very pressing and by many circumstances very much aggravated. Let us take a view of these miseries. 1. As to their civil state. (1.) A city that was populous is now depopulated, Lam. 2:1. It is spoken of by way of wonder?Who would have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:5

Her adversaries are the chief ,.... Or, "for the head" F14 לראש "in caput", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "facti sunt caput", Cocceius. ; or are the head, as was threatened, Deuteronomy 28:44 ; and now fulfilled; the Chaldeans having got the dominion over the Jews, and obliged them to be subject to them: her enemies prosper ; in wealth and riches, in grandeur and glory; live in ease and tranquillity, enjoying all outward felicity and happiness; while Zion was in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:5

Her adversaries are the chief - They have now supreme dominion over the whole land. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:5

Verse 5 He first says that her enemies had become the head; and by this expression he doubtless means power; and this way of speaking he borrowed from Moses, for these are his words, “Thou shalt be the head and not the tail, in a high place, not obscure.” (Deuteronomy 28:13.) He then says, that enemies were the head, that is, ruled over them. And the opposite of that is to be understood, even that they had become the tail, that is, were under the feet as it were of their enemies. And he says... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:1-11

A WAIL OF DISTRESS FOR JERUSALEM . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:5

Are the chief; rather, are become the head. Comp. Deuteronomy 28:44 , where, as a part of the curse of Israel's rebellion, it is foretold that "he [the stranger] shall become the head, and thou shalt become the tail." Before the enemy. Like a herd of cattle. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 1:5

Are the chief ... prosper - Or, “are become the head”... are at rest. Judaea is so entirely crushed that her enemies did not need to take precautions against resistance on her part.Children - i. e. “young children,” who are driven before the enemy (literally the adversary), not as a flock of lambs which follow the shepherd, but for sale as slaves. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Lamentations 1:4-6

Lamentations 1:4-6. The ways of Zion do mourn The highways leading to Zion, which used to be thronged with people going to the solemn feasts before the Lord, now, as it were, mourned on account of no persons travelling in them for that purpose. All her gates are desolate The gates of Jerusalem, or of the temple: few or none passing through them, the city and country being depopulated; and there are no longer any courts of judicature, or assemblies of people, held in her gates. Her... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Lamentations 1:5

are the chiefs are the head. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:13 , Deuteronomy 28:44 ), the same word. App-92 . the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . transgressions = rebellions. Hebrew. pasha' . App-44 . children = young children, as in Lamentations 2:11 , Lamentations 2:19 , Lamentations 2:20 , and Lamentations 4:4 . Not "sons". read more