105 lines
13 KiB
HTML
105 lines
13 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script type="text/javascript">
|
|
PriorBook = 'Jeremiah';
|
|
PriorBookURL = './Comm/jfb/Jer/Jer000.html';
|
|
PriorChapter = 'Lamentations 3';
|
|
PriorChapterURL = './Comm/jfb/Lam/Lam003.html';
|
|
NextBook = 'Ezekiel';
|
|
NextBookURL = './Comm/jfb/Eze/Eze000.html';
|
|
NextChapter = 'Lamentations 5';
|
|
NextChapterURL = './Comm/jfb/Lam/Lam005.html';
|
|
Title = 'Lamentations of Jeremiah';
|
|
SubTitle1 = 'Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET';
|
|
SubTitle2 = '';
|
|
SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER (ELEGY) 4';
|
|
SubTitle3Cased = 'Chapter (elegy) 4';
|
|
Author = ' Jamieson, Fausset & Brown';
|
|
imageMasthead = 'jfb.gif';
|
|
authorCite = 'Robert Jamieson; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown';
|
|
</script>
|
|
<script src="./js/Comms/JFB.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
</head><body>
|
|
<p id="Chapter4" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER (ELEGY) 4
|
|
<p id="La4_1"><a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,'1-22');">Lam 4:1-22</a>. THE SAD CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM, THE HOPE OF RESTORATION, AND THE RETRIBUTION AWAITING IDUMEA FOR JOINING BABYLON AGAINST JUDEA.
|
|
<p><i>Aleph.</i>
|
|
<p><b>1. gold</b>—the splendid adornment of the temple [CALVIN] (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',1,10);">Lam 1:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ki',6,22);">1Ki 6:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',52,19);">Jer 52:19</a>); or, <i>the principal men</i> of Judea [GROTIUS] (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,2);">Lam 4:2</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>stones of...sanctuary</b>—the gems on the breastplate of the high priest; or, metaphorically, the priests and Levites.
|
|
<p id="La4_2"><i>Beth.</i>
|
|
<p><b>2. comparable to...gold</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Job',28,16,19);">Job 28:16, 19</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>earthen pitchers</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',30,14);">Isa 30:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',19,11);">Jer 19:11</a>).
|
|
<p id="La4_3"><i>Gimel.</i>
|
|
<p><b>3. sea monsters...breast</b>—Whales and other cetaceous monsters are mammalian. Even they suckle their young; but the Jewish women in the siege, so desperate was their misery, ate theirs (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,10);">Lam 4:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,20);">Lam 2:20</a>). Others translate, "jackals."
|
|
<br><br><b>ostriches</b>—see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Job/Job039.html#Job39_14">Job 39:14</a>; JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Job/Job039.html#Job39_16">Job 39:16</a>, on their forsaking their young.
|
|
<p id="La4_4"><i>Daleth.</i>
|
|
<p><b>4. thirst</b>—The mothers have no milk to give through the famine.
|
|
<p id="La4_5"><i>He.</i>
|
|
<p><b>5. delicately</b>—on dainties.
|
|
<br><br><b>are desolate</b>—or, "perish."
|
|
<br><br><b>in scarlet embrace dunghills</b>—Instead of the <i>scarlet</i> couches on which the grandees were nursed, they must lie on <i>dunghills.</i>
|
|
<br><br><b>embrace</b>—They who once shrank sensitively from any soil, gladly <i>cling close</i> to heaps of filth as their only resting-place. Compare "embrace the rock" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',24,8);">Job 24:8</a>).
|
|
<p id="La4_6"><i>Vau.</i>
|
|
<p><b>6. greater than...Sodom</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,23);">Mat 11:23</a>). No prophets had been sent to Sodom, as there had been to Judea; therefore the punishment of the latter was heavier than that of the former.
|
|
<br><br><b>overthrown...in a moment</b>—whereas the Jews had to endure the protracted and manifold hardships of a siege.
|
|
<br><br><b>no hands stayed on her</b>—No <i>hostile force,</i> as the Chaldeans in the case of Jerusalem, <i>continually pressed on her</i> before her overthrow. Jeremiah thus shows the greater severity of Jerusalem's punishment than that of Sodom.
|
|
<p id="La4_7"><i>Zain.</i>
|
|
<p><b>7. Nazarites</b>—literally, "separated ones" (<a onclick="return mV('Num',6,2);">Num 6:2</a>). They were held once in the highest estimation, but now they are degraded. God's blessing formerly caused their body not to be the less fair and ruddy for their abstinence from strong drink. Compare the similar case of Daniel, etc. (<a onclick="return mV('Dan',1,'8-15');">Dan 1:8-15</a>). Also David (<a onclick="return mV('1Sa',16,12);">1Sa 16:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Sa',17,42);">17:42</a>). Type of Messiah (<a onclick="return mV('Sgs',5,10);">Sgs 5:10</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>rubies</b>—GESENIUS translates, "corals," from a <i>Hebrew</i> root, "to divide into branches," from the branching form of corals.
|
|
<br><br><b>polishing</b>—They were like exquisitely cut and <i>polished sapphires.</i> The "sapphires" may represent the <i>blue</i> veins of a healthy person.
|
|
<p id="La4_8"><i>Cheth.</i>
|
|
<p><b>8. blacker than...coal</b>—or, "than blackness" itself (<a onclick="return mV('Joe',2,6);">Joe 2:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Nah',2,10);">Nah 2:10</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>like a stick</b>—as withered as a dry stick.
|
|
<p id="La4_9"><i>Teth.</i>
|
|
<p><b>9.</b> The speedy death by the sword is better than the lingering death by famine.
|
|
<br><br><b>pine away</b>—literally, "flow out"; referring to the flow of blood. This expression, and "stricken through," are drawn from death by "the sword."
|
|
<br><br><b><i>want of</i>...fruits</b>—The words in italics have to be supplied in the original (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',18,28);">Gen 18:28</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',109,24);">Psa 109:24</a>).
|
|
<p id="La4_10"><i>Jod.</i>
|
|
<p><b>10.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,20);">Lam 2:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',28,56,57);">Deu 28:56-57</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>pitiful</b>—naturally at other times compassionate (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',49,15);">Isa 49:15</a>). JOSEPHUS describes the unnatural act as it took place in the siege under Titus.
|
|
<br><br><b>sodden</b>—boiled.
|
|
<p id="La4_11"><i>Caph.</i>
|
|
<p><b>11. fire...devoured...foundations</b>— ( <a onclick="return mV('Deu',32,22);">Deu 32:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',21,14);">Jer 21:14</a>). A most rare event. Fire usually consumes only the surface; but this reached even to the <i>foundation,</i> cutting off all hope of restoration.
|
|
<p id="La4_12"><i>Lamed.</i>
|
|
<p><b>12.</b> Jerusalem was so fortified that all thought it impregnable. It therefore could only have been the hand of God, not the force of man, which overthrew it.
|
|
<p id="La4_13"><i>Mem.</i>
|
|
<p><b>13. prophets</b>—the false prophets (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Jer',23,11,21);">Jer 23:11, 21</a>). Supply the sense thus: "For the sins...<i>these calamities have befallen her.</i>"
|
|
<br><br><b>shed the blood of the just</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',23,31,37);">Mat 23:31, 37</a>). This received its full fulfilment in the slaying of Messiah and the Jews' consequent dispersion (<a onclick="return mV('Jam',5,6);">Jam 5:6</a>).
|
|
<p id="La4_14"><i>Nun.</i>
|
|
<p><b>14. blind</b>—with mental aberration.
|
|
<br><br><b>polluted...with blood</b>—both with blood of one another mutually shed (for example, <a onclick="return mV('Jer',2,34);">Jer 2:34</a>), and with their blood shed by the enemy [GLASSIUS].
|
|
<br><br><b>not touch...garments</b>—as being defiled with blood (<a onclick="return mV('Num',19,16);">Num 19:16</a>).
|
|
<p id="La4_15"><i>Samech.</i>
|
|
<p><b>15. They...them</b>—"They," that is, "men" (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,14);">Lam 4:14</a>). Even the very <i>Gentiles,</i> regarded as unclean by <i>the Jews,</i> who were ordered most religiously to avoid all defilements, cried unto the <i>latter,</i> "depart," as being unclean: so universal was the defilement of the city by blood.
|
|
<br><br><b>wandered</b>—As the false prophets and their followers had "wandered" blind with infatuated and idolatrous crime in the city (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,14);">Lam 4:14</a>), so they must now "wander" among the heathen in blind consternation with calamity.
|
|
<br><br><b>they said</b>—that is, the Gentiles said: <i>it was said</i> among the heathen, "The Jews shall no more sojourn in their own land" [GROTIUS]; or, wheresoever they go in their wandering exile, "they shall not stay long" [LUDOVICUS DE DIEU], (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',28,65);">Deu 28:65</a>).
|
|
<p id="La4_16"><i>Pe.</i>
|
|
<p><b>16.</b> <i>Ain</i> and <i>Pe</i> are here transposed (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,16,17);">Lam 4:16-17</a>), as in <a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,16,17);">Lam 2:16-17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,'46-51');">3:46-51</a>.
|
|
<br><br><b>anger</b>—literally, "face"; it is the countenance which, by its expression, manifests anger (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',34,16);">Psa 34:16</a>). GESENIUS translates, "the <i>person</i> of Jehovah"; Jehovah present; Jehovah Himself (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',33,14);">Exd 33:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Sa',17,11);">2Sa 17:11</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>divided</b>—dispersed the Jews.
|
|
<br><br><b>they respected not...priests</b>—This is the language of the <i>Gentiles.</i> "The Jews have no hope of a return: for <i>they respected not</i> even good <i>priests</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',24,'19-22');">2Ch 24:19-22</a>) [GROTIUS]. MAURER explains it, "They (the victorious foe) regard not the (Jewish) priests when imploring their pity" (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',5,12);">Lam 5:12</a>). The evident antithesis to "As for <i>us</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,17);">Lam 4:17</a>) and the language of "the heathen" at the close of <a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,15);">Lam 4:15</a>, of which <a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,16);">Lam 4:16</a> is the continuation, favor the former view.
|
|
<p id="La4_17"><i>Ain.</i>
|
|
<p><b>17. As for us</b>—This translation forms the best antithesis to the language of <i>the heathen</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,15,16);">Lam 4:15-16</a>). CALVIN translates, "While as <i>yet</i> we stood as a state, our eyes failed," etc.
|
|
<br><br><b>watched for a nation that could not save us</b>—Egypt (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',24,7);">2Ki 24:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',30,7);">Isa 30:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',37,'5-11');">Jer 37:5-11</a>).
|
|
<p id="La4_18"><i>Tzaddi.</i>
|
|
<p><b>18. They</b>—the Chaldeans.
|
|
<br><br><b>cannot go</b>—without danger.
|
|
<p id="La4_19"><i>Koph.</i>
|
|
<p><b>19.</b> The last times just before the taking of the city. There was no place of escape; the foe intercepted those wishing to escape from the famine-stricken city, "on the mountains and in the wilderness."
|
|
<br><br><b>swifter...than...eagles</b>—the Chaldean cavalry (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,13);">Jer 4:13</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>pursued</b>—literally, "to be hot"; then, "to pursue hotly" (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',31,36);">Gen 31:36</a>). Thus they pursued and overtook Zedekiah (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',52,8,9);">Jer 52:8-9</a>).
|
|
<p id="La4_20"><i>Resh.</i>
|
|
<p><b>20. breath...anointed of...Lord</b>—our king, with whose life ours was bound up. The original reference seems to have been to Josiah (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',35,25);">2Ch 35:25</a>), killed in battle with Pharaoh-necho; but the language is here applied to Zedekiah, who, though worthless, was still lineal representative of David, and type of Messiah, the "Anointed." Viewed <i>personally</i> the language is too favorable to apply to him.
|
|
<br><br><b>live among the heathen</b>—Under him we hoped to live securely, even in spite of the surrounding heathen nations [GROTIUS].
|
|
<p id="La4_21"><i>Schin.</i>
|
|
<p><b>21. Rejoice</b>—at our calamities (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',137,7);">Psa 137:7</a>). This is a <i>prophecy</i> that Edom should exult over the fall of Jerusalem. At the same time it is implied, Edom's joy shall be short-lived. <i>Ironically</i> she is told, Rejoice while thou mayest (<a onclick="return mV('Ecc',11,9);">Ecc 11:9</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>cup</b>—for this image of the confounding effects of God's wrath, see <a onclick="return mV('Jer',13,12);">Jer 13:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',25,15,16,21);">25:15-16, 21</a>; as to Edom, <a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,'7-22');">Jer 49:7-22</a>.
|
|
<p id="La4_22"><i>Tau.</i>
|
|
<p><b>22.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,2);">Isa 40:2</a>). Thou hast been punished enough: the end of thy punishment is at hand.
|
|
<br><br><b>no more carry thee...into captivity</b>—that is, by the Chaldeans. The Romans carried them away subsequently. The <i>full</i> accomplishment of this prophecy must therefore refer to the Jews' final restoration.
|
|
<br><br><b>discover</b>—By the severity of His punishments on thee, God shall let men see how great was thy sin (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,10);">Jer 49:10</a>). God "covers" sin when He forgives it ( <a onclick="return mV('Psa',32,1,5);">Psa 32:1, 5</a>). He "discovers," or "reveals," it, when He punishes it (<a onclick="return mV('Job',20,27);">Job 20:27</a>). <a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,10);">Jer 49:10</a> shows that <i>Margin</i> is wrong, "carry captive" (this rendering is as in <a onclick="return mV('Nah',2,7);">Nah 2:7</a>; compare "discovered," <i>Margin</i>).
|
|
</div></div><div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script> |