Lamentations 1:16-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 1:12-22

The complaints here are, for substance, the same with those in the foregoing part of the chapter; but in these verses the prophet, in the name of the lamenting church, does more particularly acknowledge the hand of god in these calamities, and the righteousness of his hand.[ 47a5 /P] I. The church in distress here magnifies her affliction, and yet no more than there was cause for; her groaning was not heavier than her strokes. She appeals to all spectators: See if there be any sorrow like... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:16

For these things I weep ,.... The congregation of Judah, the godly among them, particularly Jeremiah, who represented them, wept for the sins the people had been guilty of, and for the punishment inflicted on them, or the sore calamities that were brought upon them. The Targum goes into particulars, and paraphrases it thus, "for the little ones that are dashed in pieces, and for the women big with child, whose bellies are ripped up, the congregation of Israel saith, I weep:' mine eye,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:17

Zion spreadeth forth her hands ,.... Either as submitting to the conqueror, and imploring mercy; or rather as calling to her friends to help and relieve her. The Targum is, "Zion spreadeth out her hands through distress, as a woman spreads out her hands upon the seat to bring forth;' see Jeremiah 4:31 . Some render the words, "Zion breaks with her hands" F6 פרשה ציון בידיה "frangit Sion manibus suis", sub. "panem", Vatablus. ; that is, breaks bread; and Joseph Kimchi... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:18

The Lord is righteous ,.... Or, "righteous is he the Lord" F7 צדיק הוא יהוה "justus ipse est Jehovah", Cocceius. ; in all these dispensations of his providence, how afflictive and severe soever they may seem to be; however the enemies of the church and people of God might transgress just bounds, and act the cruel and unrighteous part; yet good men will always own that God is righteous in all his ways, and that there is no unrighteousness in him; though they sometimes know not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:17

Zion spreadeth forth her hands - Extending the hands is the form in supplication. Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman - To whom none dared to approach, either to help or comfort, because of the law, Leviticus 15:19-27 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:16

Verse 16 He describes at large the calamities of Jerusalem. But it is no wonder that the Prophet, thus lengthened his discourse; for we know that those who are heavily oppressed never satisfy themselves with mourning and lamentations. If, indeed, we duly consider how great the evils were, the Prophet will not appear to us wordy, nor will his prolixity be wearisome to us. For when any one compares the flourishing state of Jerusalem with that desolate ruin which the Prophet laments, it will... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:17

Verse 17 The Prophet first says that Jerusalem had expanded her hands, as a token of sorrow, or that she might seek friends from every side; for when we wish to move men to pity, we stretch forth our arms. I wonder how it came to the minds of some to say that Jerusalem had broken bread with her hands. This is extremely puerile. Some have rendered the words, that she had broken with her hands, understanding thereby that she had clapped with her hands. It is, however, a harsh mode of speaking; I... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:18

Verse 18 Jerusalem again acknowledges, and more clearly expresses, that she suffered a just punishment. She had before confessed that her enemies were cruel through God’s command; but it was necessary to point out again the cause of that cruelty, even that she had too long provoked the wrath of God. She says, first, that God was just, or righteous, (144) because she had provoked his mouth. By the mouth of God we are to understand the prophetic doctrine, as it is well known. But the phrase is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:12-22

The same subject; Jerusalem the speaker. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:16

For these things, etc. After the reflections of Lamentations 1:13-15 , the poet gives vent anew to his hitter grief. Mine eye, mine eye. A repetition quite in Jeremiah's manner; comp. Jeremiah 4:19 ; Jeremiah 6:14 (repeated Jeremiah 8:11 ); Jeremiah 22:29 ; Jeremiah 23:25 . The Septuagint and Vulgate, however, have "mine eye" only once. Relieve my soul (see on Jeremiah 23:11 ). read more

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