ZION'S SORROWS DUE TO JEHOVAH'S ANGER In this second dirge, the cause of Zion's woe is dwelt upon. Jehovah has become angry with His people, therefore He has cast them off. Zion's miseries are the judgments of God, which have been sent because of Judah's sins. In structure the poem is an acrostic,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEAUTY OF ISRAEL] the Temple (Isaiah 64:11), or possibly the heroes of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 1:19). HIS FOOTSTOOL] the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 28:2), or possibly the sanctuary (Psalms 99:5; Psalms 132:7; Isaiah 60:13).... [ Continue Reading ]
SWALLOWED UP] i.e. destroyed by earthquake. HABITATIONS] open villages of the shepherds. STRONG HOLDS] fortified towns.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE HORN] better, 'every horn,' in the sense of self-protection or of resistance, the horn being a symbol of strength.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE DAUGHTER OF ZION] The division of the v. in AV is faulty. The colon after Zion should stand after eye, as in RV.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS _if it were of_ a GARDEN] i.e. God has destroyed His Temple as easily as a man removes a vintage booth, which has served its purpose, from a garden (Isaiah 1:18).... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH STRETCHED OUT A LINE] Jehovah surveys, but to destroy: cp. Isaiah 34:11; Amos 7:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
HER GATES ARE SUNK INTO THE GROUND] a metaphor expressing their total destruction, not a vestige being left above ground. THE LAW _is_ NO _more_] including the national ritual and government. HER PROPHETS ALSO FIND NO VISION] because so hardened by sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ELDERS.. SIT UPON THE GROUND] i.e. in banishment. 11-19. Zion's bitter sorrow and lamentation.... [ Continue Reading ]
The scene of Jerusalem's woes is to the poet heartrending. MY LIVER] a phrase not found elsewhere in OT., but expressive of strong emotion: cp. our English use of 'spleen' and 'humorous.'... [ Continue Reading ]
The picture of helpless, innocent children crying in vain for food is touching.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT THING SHALL I TAKE TO WITNESS FOR THEE?] RV 'What shall I testify unto thee? 'in the sense of attempting to comfort Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
FALSE BURDENS] RM 'oracles of vanity' (Jeremiah 23:33). CAUSES OF BANISHMENT] The Heb. word employed here is not found elsewhere, but probably means things which draw aside and drive out (Jeremiah 27:10; Jeremiah 27:15).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH DONE] The poet points to Jehovah as Zion's Destroyer, only later to show that He may become her Saviour.... [ Continue Reading ]
O WALL] apostrophised as a human mourner (Isaiah 14:31). NO REST] RV 'no respite.' APPLE OF THINE EYE] lit. 'daughter,' i.e. pupil of the eye: cp. Psalms 17:8. 20-22. In bewilderment Zion appeals to Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHOM THOU HAST DONE THIS] viz. to His own chosen people. CHILDREN OF A SPAN LONG] RV 'the children that are dandled in the hands': op. Lamentations 2:22; Jeremiah 19:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY TERRORS ROUND ABOUT] as in Jeremiah 6:25; Jeremiah 20:3; Jeremiah 20:10. Jehovah has now summoned His terrors (_Magormissabib_), as at other times He had summoned His people to the festivals (A SOLEMN DAY).... [ Continue Reading ]