Lamentations 1:1-4 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 1:1

How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people !.... These are the words of Jeremiah; so the Targum introduces them, "Jeremiah the prophet and high priest said;' and began thus, "how"; not inquiring the reasons of this distress and ruin; but as amazed and astonished at it; and commiserating the sad case of the city of Jerusalem, which a little time ago was exceeding populous; had thousands of inhabitants in it; besides those that came from other parts to see it, or trade with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:2

She weepeth sore in the night ,.... Or, "weeping weeps" F9 בכה תבכה "plorando plorat", Vatablus; "plorando plorabit", Pagninus, Montanus. ; two weepings, one for the first, the other for the second temples F11 T. Sanhedr. ib. col. 2. ; and while others are taking their sleep and rest; a season fit for mourners, when they can give their grief the greater vent, without any interruption from others; and it being now a night of affliction with her, which occasioned this sore... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:3

Judah is gone into captivity ,.... Not only Jerusalem the metropolis of Judea was destroyed, but the whole country was ravaged, and the inhabitants of it carried captive into Babylon: because of affliction, and because of great servitude ; because of their sins in oppressing and afflicting their poor brethren, and retaining them in a state of bondage after their seven years' servitude, contrary to the law of God; for which they were threatened with captivity, Jeremiah 34:13 ; so the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:4

The ways of Zion do mourn ,.... Being unoccupied, as in Judges 5:6 ; or unfrequented: this is said by a rhetorical figure; as ways may be said to rejoice, or look pleasant and cheerful, when there are many passengers in them, going to and fro; so they may be said to mourn, or to look dull and melancholy, when no person is met with, or seen in them; thus Jerusalem and the temple being destroyed, the ways which led from the one to the other, and in which used to be seen great numbers going... read more

Adam Clarke

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

How doth the city sit solitary - Sitting down, with the elbow on the knee, and the head supported by the hand, without any company, unless an oppressor near, - all these were signs of mourning and distress. The coin struck by Vespasian on the capture of Jerusalem, on the obverse of which there is a palm-tree, the emblem of Judea, and under it a woman, the emblem of Jerusalem, sitting, leaning as before described, with the legend Judea capta , illustrates this expression as well as that in ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:2

Among all her lovers - Her allies; her friends, instead of helping her, have helped her enemies. Several who sought her friendship when she was in prosperity, in the time of David and Solomon, are now among her enemies. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:3

Between the straits - She has been brought into such difficulties, that it was impossible for her to escape. Has this any reference to the circumstances in which Zedekiah and the princes of Judah endeavored to escape from Jerusalem, by the way of the gates between the two walls? Jeremiah 52:7 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:4

The ways of Zion do mourn - A fine prosopopoeia. The ways in which the people trod coming to the sacred solemnities, being now no longer frequented, are represented as shedding tears; and the gates themselves partake of the general distress. All poets of eminence among the Greeks and Romans have recourse to this image. So Moschus, in his Epitaph on Bion, ver. 1-3: - Αιλινα μοι στροναχειτε ναπαι, και Δωριον ὑδωρ<-144 Και ποταμοι κλαιοιτε τον ἱμεροεντα Βιωνα.π Νυν φυτα μοι... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 The Prophet could not sufficiently express the greatness of the calamity, except by expressing his astonishment. He then assumes the person of one who on seeing something new and unexpected is filled with amazement. It was indeed a thing incredible; for as it was a place chosen for God to dwell in, and as the city Jerusalem was not only the royal throne of God, but also as it were his earthly sanctuary, the city might have been thought exempted from all danger. Since it had been said, ... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:4

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:4

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

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