Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Lamentations 5

Lamentations 5:1

This final poem, although its _vv_. are equal in number with the letters of the Heb. alphabet, yet does not, like its predecessors, adhere to any rule as to the initial letters. "Rhyme takes the place of the alphabetical structure, the poem having not less than 45 words ending in the sound _u_. Cp.... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:4

The bitterness of their captive state is shewn by the fact that they, the rightful owners, were compelled to buy from the enemy who had come into possession the commonest necessaries of life. _is sold_ lit. as mg. _cometh for price_.... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:5

_Our pursuers are upon our necks_ The expression is a strange one, as applied to those remaining in the land. Since in the original the consonants of "upon" are identical with those for "yoke," we may either substitute the latter for the former (so Ball), rendering _the yoke of our neck_, and alteri... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:6

Not only are they subject to privations at home, but they have been driven by them into servitude abroad. Hosea 7:11 also combines Egypt and Assyria. The distance of the latter has caused it to be suspected here. Ball, with some slight changes in MT., eliminates both the proper names, and renders, _... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:7

_we have borne their iniquities_ See on Jeremiah 31:29. The children, who, however, it must be acknowledged (see Lamentations 5:16) shared the guilt of preceding generations, have to bear the penalty escaped by their forbears.... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:8

_Servants rule_ The reference may be to cases where slaves actually rose to positions of authority. Cp. Tobiah in Nehemiah 2:10; Nehemiah 2:19. Budde suggests that such persons may have seized upon property (cp. Habakkuk 1:6) and forced the Jews to earn their bread under them as day-labourers.... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:9

_We get our bread_ The reference is to the bands of wild Arabs (Bedaween), who plundered them as they ventured from the shelter of the city to reap the harvest or to tend the cattle or sheep of their masters. _the sword of the wilderness_ a unique expression in O.T. For the sense see last note. A su... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:12

The reference may either be to impalement after death, or to torture in order, as Pe. suggests, to obtain information as to hidden treasure. Both death by crucifixion and subsequent impalement were regarded with the utmost abhorrence by the Jews. For the former see Deuteronomy 21:23.... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:14

_from the gate_ the place of social enjoyment and conversation, answering to our clubs and other places of entertainment. See on Jeremiah 14:2.... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:21

_Turn thou us_ suggestive of Jeremiah 31:18, but see note there. Here the sense is not, bring back the exiles, but give us a repentant heart. Cp. Psalms 80:3 ff.... [ Continue Reading ]

Lamentations 5:22

_But, etc_.] better as mg., _Unless thou_… and _art, etc_. The whole sentence is an hypothesis not to be accepted as fact. God's anger cannot last for ever, and thus there is yet hope. Although the Book does in fact close with the language of hope, that is so little apparent on the first reading th... [ Continue Reading ]

Continues after advertising