Bible Commentary

Our necks [are] under persecution: we labor, [and] have no rest. 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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 5:5”

We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us. 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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 5:4”

We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 3. orphans and fatherless ] the fathers being in exile and the mothers thus “as widows,” without protection. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Our mothers are as widows – The particle as suggests that the whole verse is metaphorical. Our distress and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 5:3”

Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 2. Our inheritance ] our land, forfeited to the conquerors. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Turned – transferred. The inheritance was the land of Canaan Lev 20:24. Aliens – Or, foreigners: i. e. the Chaldaeans upon their conquest of the country. Fuente: … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 5:2”

Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 5:1”

The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins. 22. The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished ] (better than mg. Thine iniquity hath an end) the prophetic perfect. Cp. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 4:22”

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked. 21. Rejoice and be glad ] Enjoy thy shortlived triumph, while thou mayest. that dwellest in the land of Uz ] See on … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 4:21”

The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen. 20. The breath of our nostrils ] Pe. remarks that the phrase is an ancient one, being found in the Tell el Amarna letters (fifteenth century b.c.). … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 4:20”

Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. 19. swifter than the eagles ] Cp. Deu 28:49, and see on Jer 4:13. They chased us upon the mountains ] The metaphor in this and the following v. is taken … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 4:19”

They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come. 18. They hunt our steps ] This expresses the danger which existed in the “streets” (lit. broad places, and therefore exposed) from the towers which were gradually advanced nearer to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Lamentations 4:18”