King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ How doth the city sit solitary, [that was] full of people! [how] is she become as a widow! she [that was] great among the nations, [and] princess among the provinces, [how] is she become tributary!
Complete Jewish Bible:
How lonely lies the city that once thronged with people! Once great among the nations, now she is like a widow! Once princess among provinces, she has become a vassal.
Berean Standard Bible:
How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become a widow. The princess of the provinces has become a slave.
American Standard Version:
How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! She is become as a widow, that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the provinces is become tributary!
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
How doth the city{H5892} sit{H3427} solitary{H910}, that was full{H7227} of people{H5971}! how is she become as a widow{H490}! she that was great{H7227} among the nations{H1471}, and princess{H8282} among the provinces{H4082}, how is she become tributary{H4522}!
Cross-References (KJV):
Ezra 4:20
- There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all [countries] beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
1 Kings 4:21
- And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
Isaiah 3:26
- And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she [being] desolate shall sit upon the ground.
Isaiah 54:4
- Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
Revelation 18:16
- And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Revelation 18:17
- For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Isaiah 22:2
- Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain [men are] not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Lamentations 1:1
Lamentations 1:1 is the opening verse of the book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. This verse sets the tone for the entire book, which is a collection of poetic laments for the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The historical context is the aftermath of the siege of Jerusalem, which led to the city's fall, the destruction of the First Temple, and the exile of many Jews to Babylon.
The themes of this verse include the stark contrast between past glory and present desolation, the loss of status and autonomy, and the deep sorrow associated with these changes. "How doth the city sit solitary," speaks to the sudden depopulation and abandonment of what was once a bustling metropolis. The reference to the city as a widow implies a loss of protection and support, emphasizing the city's vulnerability and the grief associated with such a profound loss. The phrases "great among the nations" and "princess among the provinces" reflect Jerusalem's former prominence and leadership, while "is she become tributary" indicates a fall from grace to a position of servitude, where the city is now subject to foreign rule and taxation.
This verse encapsulates the emotional and political upheaval experienced by the people of Judah, and it serves as a poignant meditation on the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment as understood within the theological framework of the time. It is a powerful expression of communal mourning and a reflection on the impermanence of human achievements in the face of divine will.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5892
There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עִיר
Transliteration: ʻîyr
Pronunciation: eer
Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H910
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּדָד
Transliteration: bâdâd
Pronunciation: baw-dawd'
Description: from בָּדַד; separate; adverb, separately; alone, desolate, only, solitary. - Strong's Number: H7227
There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַב
Transliteration: rab
Pronunciation: rab
Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H490
There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַלְמָנָה
Transliteration: ʼalmânâh
Pronunciation: al-maw-naw'
Description: feminine of אַלְמָן; a widow; also a desolate place; desolate house (palace), widow. - Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H8282
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂרָה
Transliteration: sârâh
Pronunciation: saw-raw'
Description: feminine of שַׂר; a mistress, i.e. female noble; lady, princess, queen. - Strong's Number: H4082
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְדִינָה
Transliteration: mᵉdîynâh
Pronunciation: med-ee-naw'
Description: from דִּין; properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region; ([idiom] every) province. - Strong's Number: H4522
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַס
Transliteration: maç
Pronunciation: mas
Description: or מִס; from מָסַס; properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e. a tax in the form of forced labor; discomfited, levy, task(-master), tribute(-tary).