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Lamentations 4:1 open_in_new
How is the gold become dim] The three words used for gold, pure gold, and fine gold, in Lamentations 4:1-2, all stand metaphorically for Jerusalem's most precious possessions, particularly her inhabitants. The stones of the sanctuary] the choicest portion of Zion's citizens (Lamentations 2:19; Zechariah 9:16).
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Lamentations 4:1-22 open_in_new
Zion's former Glory contrasted with her present Humiliation
In this fourth dirge the poet describes the miseries of the various classes in the sack of Jerusalem, concluding with a warning to Edom. In structure, each alphabetic v. is composed of two rather than of three sub-divisions, the ideas and phrases balancing as in ordinary Hebrew poetry. This is considered the finest poetry of the book. The mourner speaks throughout.
1-10. The terrible distress of the people and nobles.
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Lamentations 4:2 open_in_new
Earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter] The contrast is not merely one of the materials, gold and clay, but of workmanship (Jeremiah 18:1-6; Jeremiah 19:1-10).
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Lamentations 4:3 open_in_new
The Sea monsters] RV 'the jackals' (Jeremiah 9:11). The thought is that even wild beasts suckle their young, but the women of Jerusalem are become cruel and take no heed of their children's pitiful cries. Like the ostriches] here taken as the type of cruelty and heartlessness, because they forsake their young at the least alarm (Job 39:13-17).
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Lamentations 4:5 open_in_new
Delicately] daintily (Proverbs 29:21). Brought up in scarlet] lit. 'carried upon scarlet,' as infants. Embrace dunghills] lie upon dust heaps. The contrast is most vivid. From the highest luxury, the upper classes in Jerusalem have been reduced to the extremest poverty.
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Lamentations 4:6 open_in_new
For the punishment of the iniquity] RV 'For the iniquity.' As in a moment] Sodom was overthrown suddenly; Jerusalem's sufferings were prolonged. Hence it is inferred that Jerusalem's sin was greater than Sodom's. Our Lord modified this ancient view of sin and punishment (Luke 13:1-5). And no hands stayed on her] RV 'and no hands were laid upon her,' i.e. Sodom's punishment was direct from God.
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Lamentations 4:7 open_in_new
Nazarites] RV 'nobles,' probably alluding to the Rechabites, famous at that time for their purity and temperance (Jeremiah 35).
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Lamentations 4:9 open_in_new
Better] i.e. better off. Death by the sword, prior to the siege, is pronounced preferable to being gradually wasted by famine.
For want of the fruits of the field] lit. 'from the produce of the field,' famine being more cruel than the enemy (Psalms 109:24).
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Lamentations 4:10 open_in_new
This v. describes a gruesome scene, alluded to in Lamentations 2:20, and predicted in Jeremiah 19:9. Pitiful women] the daughters of an effete civilisation, who had been nursed in the lap of luxury.
11-16. The ignominious fate of the prophets and priests.
This section begins and ends with an account of the wrath of Jehovah.
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Lamentations 4:11 open_in_new
Kindled a fire in Zion] poetic for the glowing of Jehovah's anger (2 Chronicles 36:19).
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Lamentations 4:13 open_in_new
For the sins of] RV 'It is because of the sins of.' Zion's prophets were really murderers (2 Chronicles 24:21; Jeremiah 26:23).
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Lamentations 4:14 open_in_new
They have wandered] reeled and staggered, reckless of their responsibilities as leaders.
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Lamentations 4:15 open_in_new
They cried unto them] the people applied to them what lepers were required to declare of themselves, viz. Unclean! Unclean! (Leviticus 13:45). Theirs was spiritual leprosy. They said among the heathen] When ostracised, people abroad said, They shall tarry here no longer. They were unwelcome everywhere; fugitives and vagabonds, with the mark of Cain upon them.
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Lamentations 4:16 open_in_new
The anger of the Lord hath divided them] lit. 'the face of Jehovah hath scattered them.'
17-20. The vain hope of escape; even the king being captured. This short section is in the first person plural.
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Lamentations 4:17 open_in_new
RV 'Our eyes do yet fail in looking for our vain help.' Egypt or some other expected ally disappoints (Jeremiah 37:7; Isaiah 36:6).
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Lamentations 4:19 open_in_new
Our persecutors] RV 'our pursuers.'
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Lamentations 4:20 open_in_new
The breath of our nostrils] a rather strong expression to use of Zedekiah, yet he was Jerusalem's king, and though weak, 'the anointed of Jehovah.' Under his shadow] even as captives, they hoped to be allowed some sort of national organisation with Zedekiah as their head. The hope expressed is pathetic.
21, 22. The doom of Edom.
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Lamentations 4:21 open_in_new
Rejoice and be glad] i.e. enjoy thy malicious but fleeting satisfaction (Jeremiah 49:7-22). Edom is typical of the church's foes today.
Uz] the territory lying SE. of Palestine, extending probably into Arabia (Jeremiah 25:20).
The cup] the symbol of divine wrath (Jeremiah 25:17).
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Lamentations 4:22 open_in_new
The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished] lit. 'ended.' For one brief moment the curtain of gloom is lifted, and a hope—in a sense a Messianic hope—is held out to Zion (Isaiah 40:2). He will discover thy sins] i.e. he will punish thy sins; for, if to cover is to forgive, to discover must be to punish (Psalms 32:1; Psalms 85:2). Thus the poem closes with a contrast. Zion's sins shall be covered, Edom's discovered. Zion's captivity is past, Edom's yet to come. The Hebrews' debt is paid, the Edomites' is yet to be exacted.