Lamentations 4:19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 4:13-20

We have here, I. The sins they were charged with, for which God brought this destruction upon them, and which served to justify God in it (Lam. 4:13, 14): It is for the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests. Not that the people were innocent; no, they loved to have it so (Jer. 5:31), and it was to please them that the prophets and priests did as they did; but the fault is chiefly laid upon them, who should have taught them better, should have reproved and admonished them, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 4:19

Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heavens ,.... That fly in the heavens; and which, as they have a quick sight to discern their prey afar off, are very swift to pursue it; they are the swiftest of birds, and are so to a proverb. Apuleius F9 Florida, l. 2. represents the swift pursuit of their prey, and sudden falling upon it, to be like thunder and lightning. Cicero F11 De Divinatione, l. 2. p. 2001. relates of a certain racer, that came to an interpreter of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 4:19

They pursued us upon the mountains - They hunted down the poor Jews like wild beasts in every part of the country by their marauding parties, whilst the great army besieged Jerusalem. But this may apply to the pursuit of Zedekiah. See what follows. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 4:19

Verse 19 Here, then, the Prophet means, that the Jews were so straitened, that there was no escape for them, because their steps were observed by their enemies, and also because the Chaldeans had recourse to the greatest celerity, that they might take them. He then, says, first, that their enemies were like hunters, for the Jews could not go even through the streets of their own city. We know that they were reduced to the greatest straits; but how hard the siege was is better expressed by this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 4:19

Swifter than the eagles of the heaven . Jeremiah, or his imitator, repeats the figure which occurs in Jeremiah 4:13 . There is probably no special reference to the circumstances of the capture of Zedekiah ( Jeremiah 39:4 , Jeremiah 39:5 ); the escape of many fugitives would be similarly cut off. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 4:17-20

A rapid sketch of the last days of the siege and the capture of the king.Lamentations 4:17Rather, “Still do our eyes waste away looking for our vain help.”In our watching - Or, “on our watchtower.”Lamentations 4:18Or, They hunted “our steps that we could not go out into the streets. To hunt” means here to lie in ambush, and catch by snares; and the streets are literally “the wide places,” especially at the gates. Toward the end of the siege the towers erected by the enemy would command these... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Lamentations 4:18-20

Lamentations 4:18-20. They hunt our steps that we cannot go in our streets The Chaldeans, employed in the siege, are so close upon us, that we cannot stir a foot, nor look out at our doors, nor walk safely in the streets. Our end is near The end of our church and state; we are just at the brink of the ruin of both. Nay, our days are fulfilled, our end is come We are utterly undone; a fatal, final period is put to all our comforts; the days of our prosperity are fulfilled, they are... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Lamentations 4:1-22

Corrupt leaders disgraced (4:1-22)Jerusalem’s former glory is contrasted with her present ruin. The once glorious temple, now defiled and shattered, is symbolic of the once glorious people now shamed and broken. Jerusalem’s dead lie in the streets like pieces of broken pottery (4:1-2). The writer recalls again the scene of horror during the siege. Wild beasts provide food for their young, but in Jerusalem mothers are unable to provide food for their children. Rich nobles die on the streets like... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Lamentations 4:19

persecutors = pursuers. swifter than the eagles. Ref, to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:49 ). read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Lamentations 4:19

Lamentations 4:19. Our persecutors, &c.— The Lord hath brought upon us the judgment that he threatened by Moses, of bringing a nation against us, as swift as the eagle flieth; for such are the Chaldean horsemen. See Jeremiah 4:13; Jeremiah 48:40; Jeremiah 49:22. read more

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