104 lines
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104 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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Title = 'Lamentations of Jeremiah';
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SubTitle1 = 'Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET';
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SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER (ELEGY) 2';
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<p id="Chapter2" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER (ELEGY) 2
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<p id="La2_1"><a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,'1-22');">Lam 2:1-22</a>.
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<p><i>Aleph.</i>
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<p><b>1. How</b>—The title of the collection repeated here, and in <a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,1);">Lam 4:1</a>.
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<br><br><b>covered...with a cloud</b>—that is, with the darkness of ignominy.
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<br><br><b>cast down from heaven unto...earth</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,23);">Mat 11:23</a>); dashed down from the highest prosperity to the lowest misery.
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<br><br><b>beauty of Israel</b>—the beautiful temple (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',29,2);">Psa 29:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',74,7);">74:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',96,9);">96:9</a>, <i>Margin;</i> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',60,7);">Isa 60:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',64,11);">64:11</a>).
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<br><br><b>his footstool</b>—the ark (compare <a onclick="return mV('1Ch',28,2);">1Ch 28:2</a>, with <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Psa',99,5);">Psa 99:5</a>; <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Psa',132,7);">132:7</a>). They once had gloried more in the ark than in the God whose symbol it was; they now feel it was but His "footstool," yet that it had been a great glory to them that God deigned to use it as such.
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<p id="La2_2"><i>Beth.</i> <p><b>2. polluted</b>—by delivering it into the hands of the profane foe. Compare <a onclick="return mV('Psa',89,39);">Psa 89:39</a>, "<i>profaned...crown.</i>"
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<p id="La2_3"><i>Gimel.</i> <p><b>3. horn</b>—worn in the East as an ornament on the forehead, and an emblem of power and majesty (<a onclick="return mV('1Sa',2,10);">1Sa 2:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',132,17);">Psa 132:17</a>; see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Jer/Jer048.html#Jer48_25">Jer 48:25</a>).
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<br><br><b>drawn back...right hand</b>—(<a onclick="return mV('Psa',74,11);">Psa 74:11</a>). God has withdrawn the help which He before gave them. Not as HENDERSON, "He has turned back his (<i>Israel's</i>) right hand" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',89,43);">Psa 89:43</a>).
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<p id="La2_4"><i>Daleth.</i>
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<p><b>4.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',63,10);">Isa 63:10</a>).
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<br><br><b>stood with...right hand</b>—He took His stand so as to use His right hand as an adversary. HENDERSON makes the image to be that of an archer <i>steadying</i> his right hand to take aim. Not only did He <i>withdraw</i> His help, but also took arms against Israel.
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<br><br><b>all...pleasant to...eye</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',24,25);">Eze 24:25</a>). All that were conspicuous for youth, beauty, and rank.
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<br><br><b>in...tabernacle</b>—the dwellings of Jerusalem.
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<p id="La2_5"><i>He.</i>
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<p><b>5. an enemy</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',30,14);">Jer 30:14</a>).
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<br><br><b>mourning and lamentation</b>—There is a play of similar sounds in the original, "sorrow and sadness," to heighten the effect (<a onclick="return mV('Job',30,3);">Job 30:3</a>, <i>Hebrew;</i> <a onclick="return mV('Eze',35,3);">Eze 35:3</a>, <i>Margin</i>).
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<p id="La2_6"><i>Vau.</i>
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<p><b>6. tabernacle</b>—rather, "He hath violently taken away His <i>hedge</i> (the hedge of the place sacred to Him, <a onclick="return mV('Psa',80,12);">Psa 80:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',89,40);">89:40</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',5,5);">Isa 5:5</a>), as that of a garden" [MAURER]. CALVIN supports <i>English Version,</i> "His tabernacle (that is, temple) as (one would take away the temporary cottage or booth) of a garden." <a onclick="return mV('Isa',1,8);">Isa 1:8</a> accords with this (<a onclick="return mV('Job',27,18);">Job 27:18</a>).
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<br><br><b>places of...assembly</b>—the temple and synagogues ( <a onclick="return mV('Psa',74,7,8);">Psa 74:7-8</a>).
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<br><br><b>solemn feasts</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',1,4);">Lam 1:4</a>).
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<p id="La2_7"> <i>Zain.</i>
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<p><b>7. they...made a noise in...house of ...Lord, as in...feast</b>—The foe's shout of triumph in the captured temple bore a resemblance (but oh, how sad a contrast as to the <i>occasion</i> of it!) to the joyous thanksgivings we used to offer in the same place at our "solemn feasts" (compare <a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,22);">Lam 2:22</a>).
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<p id="La2_8"><i>Cheth.</i>
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<p><b>8. stretched...a line</b>—The Easterns used a measuring-line not merely in building, but in destroying edifices (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',21,13);">2Ki 21:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',34,11);">Isa 34:11</a>); implying here the unsparing rigidness with which He would exact punishment.
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<p id="La2_9"><i>Teth.</i>
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<p><b>9.</b> Her gates cannot oppose the entrance of the foe into the city, for they are sunk under a mass of rubbish and earth.
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<br><br><b>broken...bars</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,30);">Jer 51:30</a>).
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<br><br><b>her king...among...Gentiles</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',28,36);">Deu 28:36</a>).
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<br><br><b>law...no more</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',15,3);">2Ch 15:3</a>). The civil and religious laws were one under the theocracy. "All the legal ordinances (prophetical as well as priestly) of the theocracy, are no more" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',74,9);">Psa 74:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',7,26);">Eze 7:26</a>).
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<p id="La2_10"><i>Jod.</i>
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<p><b>10.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',2,12,13);">Job 2:12-13</a>). The "elders," by their example, would draw the others to violent grief.
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<br><br><b>the virgins</b>—who usually are so anxious to set off their personal appearances to advantage.
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<p id="La2_11"><i>Caph.</i>
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<p><b>11. liver is poured,</b> etc.—that is, as the liver was thought to be the seat of the passions, "all my feelings are poured out and prostrated for," etc. The "liver," is here put for the bile ("gall," <a onclick="return mV('Job',16,13);">Job 16:13</a>; "bowels," <a onclick="return mV('Psa',22,14);">Psa 22:14</a>) in a bladder on the surface of the liver, copiously discharged when the passions are agitated.
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<br><br><b>swoon</b>—through faintness from the effects of hunger.
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<p id="La2_12"><i>Lamed.</i>
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<p><b>12. as the wounded</b>—famine being as deadly as the sword (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',52,6);">Jer 52:6</a>).
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<br><br><b>soul...poured...into...mothers bosom</b>—Instinctively turning to their mother's bosom, but finding no milk there, they <i>breathe out their life</i> as it were "into her bosom."
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<p id="La2_13"><i>Mem.</i>
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<p><b>13. What thing shall I take to witness</b>—What can I bring forward as a witness, or instance, to prove that others have sustained as grievous ills as thou? I cannot console thee as mourners are often consoled by showing that thy lot is only what others, too, suffer. The "sea" affords the only suitable emblem of thy woes, by its boundless extent and depth (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',1,12);">Lam 1:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',9,12);">Dan 9:12</a>).
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<p id="La2_14"><i>Nun.</i>
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<p><b>14. Thy prophets</b>—not God's (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',23,26);">Jer 23:26</a>).
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<br><br><b>vain...for thee</b>—to gratify thy appetite, not for truth, but for false things.
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<br><br><b>not discovered thine iniquity</b>—in opposition to God's command to the true prophets (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',58,1);">Isa 58:1</a>). Literally, "<i>They have not taken off</i> (the veil) <i>which was on thine iniquity,</i> so as to set it before thee."
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<br><br><b>burdens</b>—Their prophecies were soothing and flattering; but the result of them was <i>heavy</i> calamities to the people, worse than even what the prophecies of Jeremiah, which they in derision called "burdens," threatened. Hence he terms their pretended prophecies "false burdens," which proved to the Jews "causes of their banishment" [CALVIN].
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<p id="La2_15"><i>Samech.</i>
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<p><b>15. clap...hands</b>—in derision (<a onclick="return mV('Job',27,23);">Job 27:23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',34,37);">34:37</a>).
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<br><br><b>wag...head</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',19,21);">2Ki 19:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',44,14);">Psa 44:14</a>).
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<br><br><b>perfection of beauty...joy of...earth</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',48,2);">Psa 48:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',50,2);">50:2</a>). The Jews' enemies quote their very words in scorn.
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<p id="La2_16"><i>Pe.</i>
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<p><b>16, 17.</b> For the transposition of <i>Hebrew</i> letters (<i>Pe</i> and <i>Ain,</i> <a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,16,17);">Lam 2:16-17</a>) in the order of verses, see JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Lam/Lam000.html"><i>Introduction</i></a>.
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<br><br><b>opened...mouth</b>—as ravening, roaring wild beasts ( <a onclick="return mV('Job',16,9,10);">Job 16:9-10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',22,13);">Psa 22:13</a>). Herein Jerusalem was a type of Messiah.
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<br><br><b>gnash...teeth</b>—in vindictive malice.
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<br><br><b>we have seen it</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',35,21);">Psa 35:21</a>).
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<p id="La2_17"><i>Ain.</i>
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<p><b>17. Lord</b>—Let not the foe exult as if it was <i>their</i> doing. It was "the Lord" who thus fulfilled the threats uttered by His prophets for the guilt of Judea (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',26,'16-25');">Lev 26:16-25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',28,'36-48',53);">Deu 28:36-48, 53</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',19,9);">Jer 19:9</a>).
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<p id="La2_18"><i>Tzaddi.</i>
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<p><b>18. wall</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,8);">Lam 2:8</a>). Personified. "<i>Their</i> heart," that is, the Jews'; while their heart is lifted up to the Lord in prayer, their speech is addressed to the "wall" (the part being put for <i>the whole city</i>).
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<br><br><b>let tears,</b> etc.— (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',14,17);">Jer 14:17</a>). The wall is called on to weep for its own ruin and that of the city. Compare the similar personification (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',1,4);">Lam 1:4</a>).
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<br><br><b>apple</b>—the pupil of the eye (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',17,8);">Psa 17:8</a>).
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<p id="La2_19"><i>Koph.</i>
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<p><b>19. cry...in...night</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',119,147);">Psa 119:147</a>).
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<br><br><b>beginning of...watches</b>—that is, the <i>first</i> of the three equal divisions (four hours each) into which the ancient Jews divided the night; namely, from sunset to ten o'clock. The second was called "the middle watch" (<a onclick="return mV('Jdg',7,19);">Jdg 7:19</a>), from ten till two o'clock. The third, "the morning watch," from two to sunrise (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',14,24);">Exd 14:24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Sa',11,11);">1Sa 11:11</a>). Afterwards, under the Romans, they had <i>four</i> watches (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',14,25);">Mat 14:25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',12,38);">Luk 12:38</a>).
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<br><br><b>for...thy...children</b>—that God, if He will not spare thee, may <i>at least</i> preserve "thy young children."
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<br><br><b>top of...street</b>— (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Isa',51,20);">Isa 51:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Nah',3,10);">Nah 3:10</a>).
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<p id="La2_20"><i>Resh.</i>
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<p><b>20. women eat...fruit</b>—as threatened (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',26,29);">Lev 26:29</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',28,53,56,57);">Deu 28:53, 56-57</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',19,9);">Jer 19:9</a>).
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<br><br><b>children...span long</b>—or else, "children whom they carry in their arms" [MAURER].
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<p id="La2_21"><i>Schin.</i>
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<p><b>21.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',36,17);">2Ch 36:17</a>).
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<p id="La2_22"><i>Tau.</i>
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<p><b>22. Thou hast called as in...solemn day...terrors</b>—Thou hast summoned my enemies against me from all quarters, just as multitudes used to be convened to Jerusalem, on the solemn feast days. The objects, for which the enemies and the festal multitude respectively met, formed a sad contrast. Compare <a onclick="return mV('Lam',1,15);">Lam 1:15</a>: "called an assembly against me."
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