Lamentações 2
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Lamentações 2
NJB (MT versing) God's Anger Over Israel God's Anger with Jerusalem The People's Agony and Their Cry to God for Mercy The Lord's Punishment of Jerusalem Second Lamentation 2:1 2:1-10 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) 2:1-22 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) 2:1-22 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) 2:1 Aleph 2:2 2:2 Bet 2:3 2:3 Gimel 2:4 2:4 Dalet 2:5 2:5 He 2:6 2:6 Waw 2:7 2:7 Zain 2:8 2:8 Het 2:9 2:9 Tet 2:10 2:10 Yod 2:11 2:11-17 (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) 2:11 Kaph 2:12 2:12 Lamed 2:13 2:13 Mem 2:14 2:14 Nun 2:15 2:15 Samek 2:16 2:16 Ain 2:17 2:17 Pe 2:18 2:18-19 (18) (18) (18) 2:18 Zade 2:19 (19) (19) (19) 2:19 Qoph 2:20 2:20-22 (20) (21) (22) (20) (20) 2:20 Resh 2:21 (21) (21) 2:21 Shin 2:22 (22) (22) 2:22 Taw Etc.
Lamentações 2:1
2:1 "How" This is a textual marker (BDB 32) for a lament (i.e. funeral dirge). See full note at Lam. 1:1. ▣ "Lord" This is Adon (BDB 10). It was found in two verses of chapter 1 (i.e. Lam. 1:14,15). The use of YHWH dominates the first lament but the title Adon predominates the second (cf. Lam. 2:1,2,5,7,18,19,20). SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord (adon and kurios) ▣ NASB, NKJV, TEV, Peshitta "covered" "humiliated" "enveloped" "shamed" "brought gloom" The VERB (BDB 729, KB 794, Hiphil IMPERFECT) is found only here. The root is related to "dark cloud" or "cloud mass which covers." In this verse it has the ominous connotation of something YHWH did to Israel (i.e. His temple, cf. Isa. 64:11) in anger over rebellion. This is exactly the opposite of the Shekinah cloud of glory. He apparently hides them from Himself (as the incense did in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur, Lev. 16). He cast their glory (i.e. their special relationship with Himself) from His presence (cf. 2 Kgs. 13:23) to the earth (same as He does to the King of Old-Babylon, Isa. 14:12-15 and King of Tyre, Ezek. 28:14-16). He rejects the covenant, symbolized in the ark of the covenant, which was His footstool (cf. 1 Chr. 28:2; Ps. 99:1,15; 132:7; Isa. 66:1; Matt. 5:34-35). This was where heaven and earth, the invisible and the visible, met. AB (p. 35) suggests an emendation to disgraced (Arabic root, see NRSV) with contempt (NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 333) ▣ "the daughter of Zion" See notes at Lam. 1:6. ▣ "His anger" (twice) See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE. ▣ "the glory of Israel" It could refer to the temple, see Isa. 64:11 Jerusalem, see Isa. 13:19 their covenant relationship with YHWH (cf. 1 Sam. 15:29) Number 1 fits best the context from heaven to earth (Isa. 14:12). ▣ "has not remembered" In the OT mankind repeatedly is admonished to remember his/her sin, but God is called on to forget/forgive mankind's sin. The forgiveness reflects the character of God His remembrance of His covenant promises to the Patriarchs SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS ▣ "footstool" In the ANE it was a royal symbol for a king. YHWH as creator is king (cf. 1 Sam. 8:7; Ps. 10:16; 29:10; Isa. 66:1). It often refers to Jerusalem/Zion, the place God caused His ark/temple to dwell (Psalm 99; Lam. 2:1). It specifically refers to the ark in the Holy of Holies overshadowed by the Cherubim (cf. 1 Chr. 28:2; Ps. 132:7). The Davidic Kings represented YHWH's power and presence. Their enemies were depicted as "footstools" (Ps. 110:1; also Messiah, 1 Cor. 15:25; Eph. 1:22). SPECIAL TOPIC: ZION SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: MERCY SEAT SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH
Lamentações 2:2
2:2 "The Lord has swallowed up" This VERB in the Piel (BDB 118, KB 134, cf. Lam. 2:8) is an idiom of destruction (cf. Lam. 2:5 (twice), 8; Job 2:3; 10:8; Ps. 21:9; 5:9; 107:27). The Qal stem is also used of destruction, cf. Num. 16:32-34; Deut. 11:6 (Sheol); Ps. 69:15 (the deep); Ps. 124:3 (enemies). The imagery is of the totality of the event. YHWH's complete and full justice swallowed up these faithless Judeans! He did not change His mind or spare them! swallowed up (cf. Lam. 2:2,5,16) did not spare (cf. Lam. 2:2,17,21; 1 Chr. 36:17; Jer. 13:14; 21:7; Ezek. 7:9) threw down (cf. Lam. 2:17; Micah 5:11) brought to the ground profaned (cf. Ps. 89:39; Isa. 43:28; 47:6) These as all PERFECTS denoting completed action. ▣ "habitations. . .strongholds" These two terms refer to unwalled villages and walled cities (fortresses surrounding Jerusalem at key topological places like Lachish). All are destroyed. ▣ "He has not spared" The MT has "without mercy" (BDB 328, KB 328, Qal PERFECT. The Masoretic scholars have suggested "has shown no mercy" (Qere). See Lam. 2:17d, also a Qal PERFECT of BDB 328, KB 328.
Lamentações 2:3
2:3 During the Exodus and Conquest, YHWH was a warrior for Israel (i.e. Holy War), but now He no longer fights for them. He fights against them (cf. Lam. 2:5; Jer. 30:14) by using pagan invaders to judge His covenant people (i.e. Assyria, Babylon, Seleucid, Roman). ▣ "All the strength of Israel" The word "might" is literally "horn" (BDB 901). See full note at Lam. 2:17. ▣ "His right hand" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND and SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN.
Lamentações 2:4
2:4 This continues the thought of Lam. 2:3, but adds imagery of YHWH's destruction (i.e. YHWH as warrior, cf. Isa. 59:17; Eph. 6:14) of the temple. The sovereignty of the one true God was expressed in the theology of "one causality" (cf. 2 Chr. 20:6; Eccl. 7:14; Isa. 14:24-27; 43:13; 45:7; 54:16; Jer. 18:11; Lam. 3:33-38; Amos 3:6). YHWH used pagan nations but they did not know it was Israel's God who gave them the victory. This is reverse Holy War! SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM SPECIAL TOPIC: ONE CAUSALITY ▣ "fire" Notice how often "fire" has been mentioned (Lam. 2:3,4; 1:13; 4:11). Fire is first used as a judgment of God's people in Korah's rebellion of Num. 11:1-3. SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE ▣ "all that were pleasant to the eye" From the two previous lines of poetry, this may refer from the poetic context, to "soldiers" from Ezek. 24:16,25 (NET Bible), to "children/descendants" from 1 Kgs. 20:6, to "possessions" (Lam. 1:10) ▣ "In the tent" This could refer to the Tabernacle of the wilderness (anachronism) imagery for weakness and vulnerability a way of referring to Judean homes (cf. Ps. 91:10; 132:3) Option #2 or 3 seems best because a different word, "booth" (BDB 968) is used of the Tabernacle/temple in Lam. 2:6. ▣ "He has poured out" This VERB (BDB 1049, KB 1629, Qal PERFECT) has several usages (examples). related to the sacrificial system's placement of blood ‒ Exod. 29:12; Lev. 4:7,18,25,30,34; 17:13 related to proper drainage of blood from animal meat ‒ Deut. 12:16,24,27; 15:23 the shedding of human blood imagery of how one prays ‒ 1 Sam. 1:15; Ps. 42:4; 62:8; 102 (i.e. title); 142:2; Lam. 2:11,19 imagery of one's strength ‒ Job 30:16; Ps. 22:14 YHWH giving His Spirit ‒ Isa. 32:15; Ezek. 39:29 (cf. 36:27; 37:14); Joel 2:28,29; Zech. 12:10 YHWH's wrath ‒ Ps. 69:24; 79:6; Isa. 42:25; Jer. 6:11; 10:25; 14:16; Lam. 2:4; 4:11; Ezek. 7:8; 9:8; 14:19; 20:8,13,33,34; 21:31; 22:22,31; Hosea 5:10; Zeph. 3:8; same concept but different word, BDB 677, used in 2 Chr. 34:21; Jer. 7:20; 42:18; Ezek. 22:22 SPECIAL TOPIC: POURED OUT (NT)
Lamentações 2:5
2:5 "The Lord has become like an enemy" This is the reverse of Holy War! YHWH, the true covenant God, is the covenant people's adversary (cf. Isa. 63:10; Jer. 30:14). Oh my, oh my! The MT has "Lord" (Adon) but the Masoretic scholars suggested a change to YHWH (Qere), cf. Lam. 1:14; 2:2,7,18,19,20. ▣ "swallowed" See full note at Lam 2:2a. ▣ "Israel. . .the daughter of Judah" It is possible that Israel and Judah refer to the northern kingdom Israel refers to the Assyrian exile and Judah refers to the Neo-Babylonian exile Because of the last two poetic lines of Lam. 2:5, option #1 fits best. ▣ "Mourning and moaning" This is a purposeful sound play in Hebrew. mourning ‒ תאביה moaning ‒ ואביה ▣ "He has destroyed" This VERB (BDB 1007, KB 1469) is used several times of YHWH's judgment. Lam. 2:5, Judah's strongholds (i.e. walled cities) Lam. 2:6, Judah's feasts and Temple Lam. 2:8, the defensive walls of Jerusalem This VERB is found only in these three places in Lamentations, but is common in Jeremiah.
Lamentações 2:6
2:6-9 YHWH has rejected the festival calendar (cf. Exodus 23; Leviticus 25) and the sacrificial system (Leviticus 1-7). He has abandoned and destroyed king and capital priest and temple prophets (cf. Lam. 2:9e-f, 14) 1 Chronicles 28:9 says it will be permanent but Lam. 3:1 offers a future hope based on Israel's repentance and YHWH's mercy (cf. Hosea 11:8-11; Zech. 6:10). SPECIAL TOPIC: FEASTS OF ISRAEL SPECIAL TOPIC: SACRIFICIAL SYSTEMS OF THE ANE, IV. 2:6 "like a garden booth" "as if it were a garden" "his booth like a garden" NJB, JPSOA "like a garden" "like a vine" "like a shed in a garden" YHWH destroyed His Temple. like a watchman's shed/booth in a field stripped (JPSOA, REB) like a vineyard (cf. Isa. 5:5-6; Jer. 5:10; 12:10) This agricultural imagery denotes the removal of all restraints and allows animals and thieves to plunder the field/vineyard (cf. Lam. 2:12), here, plunder the temple. The UBS Text Project gives two possible objects of destruction. a garden (wall) ‒ כגנ a vineyard (hut) ‒ כגפן
Lamentações 2:7
2:7 Notice the parallelism between the first two poetic lines. rejected His altar ‒ BDB 276, KB 276, Qal PERFECT; Robert Gordis, in his commentary, p. 162, suggests this VERB is from an Arabic root, "to smell bad" (cf. Isa. 19:6; Hosea 8:5 [BDB 276 II]; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SOOTHING AROMA) abandoned His sanctuary ‒ BDB 611, KB 658, Piel PERFECT; this VERB occurs only twice, both in Piel, here and Ps. 89:39. Suggestions from context and Arabic cognate roots: abhor insult In Ps. 89:39 it is parallel to "defile" or "pollute" (BDB 320 III, Piel PERFECT). 2:7e This refers to pagan invaders rejoicing in the destroyed temple (i.e. Ps. 74:4). This possibly relates to Lam. 1:10-11 and Lam. 2:17e.
Lamentações 2:8
2:8a "The Lord determined to destroy" This VERB (BDB 362, KB 359, Qal PERFECT) basically means "to think" or "to account." But it is often used of "purposed plans of actions." YHWH plans judgment against Edom, Jer. 49:20 against Hazor, Jer. 49:30 against Neo-Babylon, Jer. 50:45 against His people, Jer. 28:8,15; 36:3; Lam. 2:8; Micah 5:3; (because they planned against Him, Micah 2:1) Humans plan evil actions against Jeremiah, Jer. 11:18,19 against YHWH or His people, Ezek. 11:2; 38:10; Dan. 11:24,25; Hosea 7:15; Micah 2:1 YHWH plans good things for those who repent, Jer. 18:8,18; 36:3 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE [OT]) for Jeremiah, Jer. 29:11 2:8c This is an idiom of judgment (cf. 2 Kgs. 21:13; Isa. 28:17; 34:11; Amos 7:7-9). 2:8e "rampart" This NOUN (BDB 298, cf. Isa. 26:1) has several possible meanings. a little wall(s) of outer defense(s), see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, p. 233 the space between the outer and inner fortifications a moat ("ditch," Tregelles' Gesenius Hebrew Lexicon), cf. Nah. 3:8
Lamentações 2:9
2:9a The imagery of Lam. 2:8-9 is the personification of Jerusalem's defensive structures bowing to the ground in grief. rampart (see notes), Lam. 2:8 wall, Lam. 2:8 gates, Lam. 2:9 Notice the "virgins" (i.e. temple singers, musicians, dancers) of Lam. 2:10 also are bowed in grief. 2:9d Think how devastating this statement would be to Judeans! It may refer only to priestly instruction, cf. Jer. 18:18; Hag. 2:11; Mal. 2:6.
Lamentações 2:10
2:10 "The elders" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ELDER. ▣ "Sit on the ground" All the surrounding VERBS are PERFECTS except for this line of poetry (two Qal IMPERFECTS, which would mean they threw themselves on the ground repeatedly). The LXX, Targums, and Vulgate versions emend them to PERFECT TENSE VERBS. SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES ▣ "the virgins" Probably "the elders" ‒ "the virgins" was an idiomatic way (merism) to refer to all society.
Lamentações 2:11
2:11 "My eyes fail because of tears" See note at Lam. 1:2. This may be the wail of the author of Lamentations or Jerusalem itself personified. It seems the author addresses Jerusalem directly in Lam. 2:13-16. ▣ "My spirit" See full note at Lam. 1:20. SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE ▣ "My heart" This is literally "liver" (BDB 458). This is parallel to the "inward parts" (BDB 588; Lam. 1:20; NJB, "inner most being"; NRSV, "stomach"). It was the seat of the emotions. The word itself denotes the heavy, thick, middle organ. The "liver" may be the true reading of Ps. 7:5c. This would mean changing "glory" (kabod) to "liver." glory ‒ כבודי, BDB 458 liver ‒ כבדי, BDB 458 This is the suggestion of AB, p. 45. SPECIAL TOPIC: INWARD PARTS ▣ "When little ones and infants faint" The children die for lack of food (Lam. 2:19). Then they are eaten by their parents (v. 20; Lam. 1:11).
Lamentações 2:12
2:12 "They say. . ." This is IMPERFECT. These children ask again and again for food. ▣ "life" This is the Hebrew word nephesh (BDB 659). See note at Ezekiel 18:4 and SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH.
Lamentações 2:13
2:13b NASB, NET, REB "to what shall I compare you?" NKJV, NRSV "to what can I liken you>" "to what can I compare or liken you?" JPSOA, LXX "what can I take as witness or liken to you?" "to whom shall I liken you?" The UBS Text Project, p. 340, lists four options (two with "C" ratings). MT, Ketiv ‒ "To what can I compare you?" MT, Qere ‒ "What can I witness to you?" "To what can I compare you?" (slight change in Hebrew spelling to #1) "How can I cheer you?" (see v. 13d) The Jewish Study Bible's introduction to Lamentations says, "The book is among the most difficult in the canon. It is highly poetic, using rare words and unusual grammatical structures. . .Abrupt changes in speaking voices mark shifts in perspectives, so that we hear various aspects of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem as well as diverse responses to the catastrophe," p. 1587. 2:13e "O virgin daughter of Zion" This is a collective phrase of endearment. It is used of Zion ‒ 2 Kgs. 19:21; Ps. 9:14; Isa. 1:8; 16:1; 62:11; Jer. 6:23; Lam. 4:22; Micah 4:8; Zeph. 3:14 Jerusalem ‒ 2 Kgs. 19:21; Isa. 37:22; Lam. 2:13,15 Notice both are used in parallel in Lam. 2:13 and 2 Kgs. 19:21. This is another example of family terms used to describe God and His people. The irony here is that YHWH's special unmarried daughter has played the harlot by being involved in ANE fertility worship or treaties with pagan nations. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD, II. C. SPECIAL TOPIC: VIRGIN DAUGHTERS OF. . . SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST 2:13g "Who can heal you" Healing in this context refers to sin and its consequences (cf. Isa. 1:5-6; Ps. 103:3; Jer. 3:22; 30:12-13) but there is hope if repentance occurs, Jer. 33:6-9. If YHWH has become your enemy, who can reverse His actions (notice Jer. 8:18-22; 30:12-15)? SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING
Lamentações 2:14
2:14 The prophets of Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 23:25-32) and Ezekiel's day (cf. Ezek. 22:25,28) were prophesying false hope. They were assuring Judah that Jerusalem would never fall (i.e. Jer. 8:11; 14:13-16; Ezek. 13:10-16), probably based on the prophecies of Isaiah. However, they failed to note the conditional nature of YHWH's covenant with the Patriarchs. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS ▣ NASB, LXX "foolish" NKJV, NRSV, Peshitta "deceptive" "whitewash" "folly" "painted sham" This root (BDB 1074, KB 1776) has several possible meanings. spoiled fish (Arabic root) tasteless (cf. Job 6:6) unseemliness whitewash (i.e. deceptive, cf. Ezek. 13:10,13,14,15; 22:28) BDB suggests #2 here, while KB suggested either #2 or #4. NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 323, prefers "deceptive" (NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA).
Lamentações 2:15
2:15 This verse uses several physical gestures of surprise and contempt (JPSOA claims that Lam. 2:15 refers to superstition related to curses, using Job 27:23 and Jer. 18:16). clap their hands ‒ Num. 24:10; Job 27:23 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CLAP YOUR HANDS) hiss ‒ Lam. 2:16; 1 Kgs. 9:8; 2 Chr. 29:8; Job 27:23; Jer. 18:16; 19:8; 25:9,18; 49:17; 50:13; 51:37; Ezek. 27:36; Zeph. 2:15 shake their heads ‒ possibly Lam. 1:8b; 2 Kgs. 19:21; Job 16:4; Ps. 22:7; 109:25; Isa. 37:22; Jer. 18:16; Zeph. 2:15; Matt. 27:39; Mark 15:29 YHWH's people had claimed to be "the perfection of beauty" and "a joy to all the earth" (cf. Ps. 48:2; 50:2; Ezek. 16:14,15). If so, why has their God let them be so utterly destroyed (cf. Deut. 29:24-26; Jer. 22:8-9)? Their rebellion and covenant disobedience has caused this (cf. Lam. 1:5-6,14; Ezek. 16:25), not any character fault or weakness on YHWH's part. They had been warned (by Moses, Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; and the prophets), but they would not see or hear (cf. Isa. 6:9-13).
Lamentações 2:16
2:16 "hiss" See note above at v. 15. ▣ "gnash their teeth" This was a gesture of anger and aggression (cf. Job 16:9); Ps. 35:16; 37:12; 112:10; Lam. 2:16; Matt. 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28; Acts 7:54.
Lamentações 2:17
2:17 Judah's demise, caused by her sin and rebellion, was predicted in Lev. 26:21-39; Deuteronomy 28; and Joshua 24:19-28. Now it has come to pass! For "He purposed" (BDB 273, KB 273, Qal PERFECT) see Jer. 4:28; 51:12,29; Zech. 8:14; note the opposite plan in Zech. 8:15. There is a divine teleogical plan for human history (i.e. Gen. 3:15; 12:1-3; Luke 22:22; Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:28; 17:26,31; Rom.1:2). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "the might" This is literally "horn" (BDB 901). Animal's horns were idiomatic and proverbial for power. How different is the "horn" of the pagan invaders compared to Judah's horn (Lam. 2:3). SPECIAL TOPIC: ANIMAL HORNS
Lamentações 2:18
2:18-19 This describes how Judah should pray. "Let your tears run down like a river day and night" ‒ BDB 432, KB 434, Hiphil IMPERATIVE "Give yourself no relief" ‒ BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense "Let your eyes" (lit. "the daughter of your eye," an idiom of affection, cf. Deut. 32:10; Ps. 17:8; Prov. 7:2; Lam. 2:18; Zech. 2:8) ‒ BDB 198, KB 226, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense "Arise" ‒ BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal IMPERATIVE (usually prayer was done standing, eyes open, hands up [cf. Lam. 2:19e], out loud [2:19a]) "Cry aloud" ‒ BDB 943, KB 1247, Qal IMPERATIVE "Pour out your heart like water" ‒ BDB 1049, KB 1629, Qal IMPERATIVE (cf. Ps. 62:8; see note on VERB at Lam. 2:4) "Lift up your hands to Him" ‒ BDB 669, KB 724, Qal IMPERATIVE (i.e. prayer) 2:18 "Their heart cried out to the Lord" The MT has the VERB (BDB 858, KB 1042) as a Qal PERFECT, but many scholars and translations support an emendation to a Qal IMPERATIVE (NRSV, TEV, NJB, and JPSOA footnote). There are two Qal IMPERFECTS used as JUSSIVES in Lam. 2:18 and these are followed by four Qal IMPERATIVES in Lam. 2:19.
Lamentações 2:19
2:19 "Before the presence of the Lord" This is literally "face." It is imagery that denotes personhood closeness/access SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE
Lamentações 2:20
2:20 This verse starts with the same two MPERATIVES as Lam. 1:11,12; and the VERB "see" by itself in Lam. 1:9,20. ▣ "Should women eat their offspring" This was the terrible reality of siege warfare. The over populated, walled cities ran out of food and water. This very thing was prophesied in Lev. 26:29 and Deut. 28:53,55 and recorded in Jer. 19:9; Lam. 4:10; Ezek. 5:10 (note 2 Kgs. 6:28). ▣ "born healthy" This is literally "tenderly cared for" (BDB 381, KB 378). This root is found only here but a related one (BDB 381) is in Lam. 2:22e. KB suggests "health and beauty of a newborn child." ▣ "Should priest and prophet be slain" Notice the powerful word in Jer. 23:11-12. The apostasy of the religious leaders caused the downfall of the whole society. children die of hunger children are then eaten leaders killed young and old die virgins and young men die none spared (cf. Lam. 2:20-21)
Lamentações 2:21
2:21 "Your anger" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE. ▣ "not sparing" Often YHWH relented of His planned judgment on His people (cf. Jer. 18:8,18), but they continued to become more idolatrous. The only way to heal the spiritual cancer was to perform radical surgery (i.e. the exiles) and begin again. As YHWH removed the idolatrous Canaanites from His land (cf. Gen. 15:12-21), so now He removes His own covenant people from His Promised Land. He is no respecter of persons. We reap what we sow (cf. Job 34:11; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Prov. 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12)!
Lamentações 2:22
2:22 "the day of an appointed feast" The feast was for the victorious pagan invaders (cf. Lam. 1:15). Judah's feast days have ceased (cf. Lam. 2:6d). ▣ "My terrors on every side" This phrasing is reminiscent of Ps. 31:13; Isa. 24:17-18; Jer. 6:25; 20:3,10; 46:5; 49:29. ▣ "there was no one who escaped or survived" This is hyperbolic language (i.e. Isa. 24:17-18; Jer. 11:11; 42:17; 44:14; Amos 5:18-20). Obviously no part of Judah's society, no family, was unaffected by YHWH's judgment (cf. Jer. 1:11). ▣ "In the day of the Lord's anger" Notice this lament starts with this phrase (Lam. 2:1f) and ends with it. This whole chapter is about YHWH's judgment on faithless Judah. SPECIAL TOPIC: THAT DAY SPECIAL TOPIC: The Day of the Lord ▣ "Those whom I bore and reared" This is imagery of YHWH as Israel/Judah's parent (cf. Isa. 1:2; Jer. 3:22; Hosea 11:3). The VERB "bore" (BDB 381, KB 378, Piel PERFECT) basically means "healthy children." Notice the contrast. Judah ate her healthy children, Lam. 2:20 YHWH's children (i.e. the descendants of Abraham) were born healthy but rebelled and acted unhealthily and now are all dead (by YHWH's will and the hand of Neo-Babylonian invaders). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD