Lamentations 3:51

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.

Complete Jewish Bible:

My eyes make me so upset at the fate of the women in my city.

Berean Standard Bible:

My eyes bring grief to my soul because of all the daughters of my city.

American Standard Version:

Mine eye affecteth my soul, because of all the daughters of my city.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Mine eye^{H5869} affecteth^{H5953} mine heart^{H5315} because of all the daughters^{H1323} of my city^{H5892}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Lamentations 3:51

Lamentations 3:51, "Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city," is a poignant verse that captures the deep emotional impact of witnessing suffering and devastation. This verse is part of the larger book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, which mourns the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The historical context is one of profound national tragedy, as the people of Judah faced the consequences of their unfaithfulness to God, resulting in the loss of their city, the destruction of the Temple, and the exile of its inhabitants.

In this verse, the speaker's "eye" is overwhelmed by the sight of the "daughters of my city," a poetic reference to the women of Jerusalem, who are emblematic of the city's populace. The use of "daughters" suggests a particular pathos for the innocent and vulnerable who are suffering as a result of the city's downfall. The verse conveys the emotional distress that comes from seeing loved ones and community members endure hardship and loss. It speaks to the interconnectedness of visual observation and emotional response—when the eyes see suffering, the heart cannot help but be moved.

The themes of this verse include the profound sorrow that comes from witnessing communal tragedy, the compassion for the innocent who suffer amidst larger historical events, and the personal impact of national calamities. The verse reflects the broader themes of Lamentations, which include lament over sin and its consequences, the reality of suffering, and the search for hope and redemption in the midst of despair. It is a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring emotional scars left by the trauma of destruction and exile.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
2. Strong's Number: H5953
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָלַל
   Transliteration: ʻâlal
   Pronunciation: aw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root; to effect thoroughly; specifically, to glean (also figuratively); by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e. maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal); abuse, affect, [idiom] child, defile, do, glean, mock, practise, thoroughly, work (wonderfully).
   
3. Strong's Number: H5315
   There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
   Transliteration: nephesh
   Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
   Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
5. 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.