Lamentations 1:1

KJV

¶ 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!

KJV (with Strong's)

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}!

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!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 1:1 opens the book with a profound lament, portraying Jerusalem, once a vibrant and populous capital, now utterly desolate. The city, formerly a prominent "princess" among nations and provinces, is depicted as a solitary widow, stripped of her glory and reduced to a state of subjugation and forced tribute, a stark image of the devastating consequences of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 1:1 serves as the poignant opening to a collection of five poetic laments, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. This verse immediately establishes the book's mournful tone and central theme: the profound grief over the destruction of Jerusalem. It employs vivid personification, a recurring literary device throughout the book, by depicting the city as a desolate woman. The verse also sets up a stark contrast between Jerusalem's former glory and its present ruin, a motif that is further explored and lamented in subsequent chapters, such as the detailed suffering described in [Lamentations 2](/lamentations/2 "Lamentations 2 - God's Wrath Against Jerusalem"). It functions as a powerful, immediate emotional appeal, drawing the reader into the prophet's sorrow and setting the stage for the deep theological reflections that follow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Lamentations 1:1 is the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar in 586/587 BC. This event, detailed in historical accounts like [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"), saw the siege of the city, the burning of the Temple and royal palace, the dismantling of its walls, and the forced exile of its inhabitants. Culturally, the metaphor of a "widow" was particularly potent in the ancient Near East, signifying extreme vulnerability, destitution, and lack of protection in a society where women's security was often tied to male kin. To become "tributary" implied a complete loss of sovereignty and dignity, a reversal of power where a once-dominant entity was now subservient and exploited, forced to provide labor or taxes to its conqueror.
* **Key Themes:** This foundational verse introduces several critical themes that permeate the book of Lamentations. Firstly, it highlights **Desolation and Loss**, starkly contrasting Jerusalem's past vibrancy ("full of people," "great among the nations") with its present emptiness and ruin ("solitary," "widow"). Secondly, it evokes **Mourning and Grief**, personifying the city's suffering to convey deep sorrow and abandonment, a pervasive theme throughout the entire book. Thirdly, while not explicitly stating the cause, the verse implicitly points to **Divine Judgment** as the underlying reason for the city's plight, a theme extensively developed throughout the book, emphasizing God's righteous response to Israel's persistent covenant unfaithfulness, as warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Finally, it underscores **Humiliation and Subjugation**, as Jerusalem's fall from a "princess" to a "tributary" state signifies a profound loss of independence and dignity, a reversal of its former exalted position among the nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **City (Hebrew, _ʻîyr'_):** (H5892) Refers specifically to Jerusalem, the once-proud capital of Judah. The term encompasses not just the physical structures but the entire populace and its identity as a place guarded by a watch. Its transformation from a bustling, protected center to a desolate ruin highlights the complete collapse of its former status and the profound loss experienced by its inhabitants.
* **Sit (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** (H3427) While often meaning to dwell or inhabit, in this context, "sit solitary" conveys a posture of deep mourning, desolation, and inactivity. It suggests a city that has ceased its bustling life and is now in a state of quiet, sorrowful abandonment, much like a person overwhelmed by grief who sits in a state of shock and despair, unable to move or act.
* **Widow (Hebrew, _ʼalmânâh'_):** (H490) This potent metaphor signifies extreme vulnerability, destitution, and loss of protection. In ancient society, a widow was often without a male protector or provider, making her highly susceptible to exploitation and poverty. Applying this imagery to Jerusalem emphasizes its utter helplessness, its profound sorrow, and its perceived abandonment after the loss of its "husband"—whether understood as God's protective presence, its king, or its vibrant population.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How doth the city sit solitary, [that was] full of people!":** This opening exclamation, "How" (Hebrew: _'Eichah'_), immediately sets a tone of profound lament, shock, and disbelief, characteristic of the book. It powerfully contrasts Jerusalem's vibrant past as a city "full of people"—a bustling, populous center of life and worship—with its present desolate state of being "solitary." The city is personified, depicted as sitting in a posture of deep mourning and abandonment, highlighting a dramatic and tragic demographic and social collapse.
* **"[how] is she become as a widow!":** This clause introduces a powerful and culturally resonant metaphor, likening Jerusalem to a widow. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a widow was the epitome of vulnerability, destitution, and loss, having lost her protector and provider. This imagery conveys the city's complete lack of defense, its profound sorrow, and its perceived abandonment by its former strength and divine protection, emphasizing its utter helplessness and the depth of its grief.
* **"she [that was] great among the nations, [and] princess among the provinces, [how] is she become tributary!":** This final clause further underscores the city's precipitous fall from grace. Jerusalem, once "great among the nations" and a "princess" exercising sovereignty and influence over surrounding "provinces," is now reduced to a "tributary" state. This signifies its complete subjugation, loss of independence, and forced payment of taxes or labor to its conquerors, representing a profound humiliation and a devastating reversal of its former exalted status and dignity.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 1:1 is rich in literary artistry that amplifies its emotional impact. The most prominent device is **Personification**, where Jerusalem is portrayed as a suffering woman—sitting solitary, becoming a widow, and transforming from a princess to a tributary. This humanizes the city's devastation, making its plight deeply relatable and evoking profound empathy from the reader. The opening "How" (Hebrew: _'Eichah'_) functions as an **Exclamation** or **Apostrophe**, a direct, passionate cry of lament that immediately establishes the book's mournful tone and conveys the prophet's shock and sorrow. Furthermore, the verse employs powerful **Metaphors**, comparing Jerusalem to a "widow" to convey utter destitution and vulnerability, and to a "princess" to recall its former glory and sovereignty. Finally, the entire verse is built upon striking **Juxtaposition** and **Contrast**, setting Jerusalem's glorious past ("full of people," "great among the nations," "princess among the provinces") against its desolate present ("solitary," "widow," "tributary"). This stark contrast highlights the immense scale of the loss and the depth of the tragedy, emphasizing the severity of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 1:1 serves as a profound theological statement on the consequences of covenant disobedience. It illustrates God's justice in allowing His chosen city to experience the curses promised for unfaithfulness, as detailed in the Mosaic Law. The city's desolation is not random but a direct result of its persistent rebellion against the Lord. This verse underscores the biblical principle that while God is merciful, He is also righteous and holds His people accountable. It speaks to the fragility of human institutions and power when divorced from divine favor and obedience, reminding us that true security lies in fidelity to God and that His warnings are not idle threats but solemn promises of judgment for unrepentant sin.

* [Deuteronomy 28:47-48](/deuteronomy/28-47-48 "Deuteronomy 28:47-48 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 13:17](/jeremiah/13-17 "Jeremiah 13:17 - Jeremiah's Grief Over Judah's Pride")
* [Isaiah 47:8-9](/isaiah/47-8-9 "Isaiah 47:8-9 - Babylon's Fall and Widowhood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 1:1 compels us to confront the reality of loss and the profound sorrow that accompanies it, whether on a personal, communal, or national scale. It invites empathy for those who experience desolation and reminds us that grief is a natural and necessary response to significant suffering, even when that suffering is a consequence of sin. Beyond empathy, this verse serves as a sober warning against spiritual complacency and unfaithfulness. It challenges us to examine our own lives and communities, asking if we are living in alignment with God's will, lest we experience a form of spiritual "solitude" or "tributary" status where our joy, freedom, and spiritual vitality are diminished by our own choices. The city's downfall, though a judgment, also implicitly calls for repentance and a turning back to the source of true life and security, reminding us that even in the deepest sorrow, God's ultimate purpose is redemptive, and His grace is available to those who seek Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of Jerusalem as a "solitary widow" resonate with experiences of loss, abandonment, or profound grief in your own life or community?**
* **In what ways might spiritual complacency or persistent disobedience lead to a sense of "tributary" status, where our freedom, joy, or spiritual vitality is diminished?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of acknowledging and processing grief, both individually and corporately, in the face of significant loss, and how might this lead to repentance?**

### FAQ
**Who is traditionally believed to have written the book of Lamentations?**

Answer: The book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. While the book itself does not explicitly name its author, internal evidence and ancient Jewish tradition strongly link Jeremiah to these laments. He was a contemporary witness to the destruction of Jerusalem, often referred to as the "weeping prophet," and his prophetic ministry warned Judah of the very judgments described in Lamentations, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8-11 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Desolation").

**What historical event is Lamentations 1:1 lamenting?**

Answer: Lamentations 1:1 is lamenting the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian Empire in 586/587 BC. This traumatic event involved the siege of the city, the burning of the Temple and royal palace, the breaking down of Jerusalem's walls, and the exile of a significant portion of the population to Babylon, as recorded in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). The verse captures the immediate aftermath of this devastation, portraying the once-thriving capital as desolate and subjugated.

**What does it mean for Jerusalem to become "tributary"?**

Answer: For Jerusalem to become "tributary" (Hebrew: _maç_) means that it was forced to pay taxes, tribute, or provide forced labor to its conquerors, the Babylonians. This signifies a complete loss of its sovereignty, independence, and dignity. Previously, as a "princess among the provinces," Jerusalem would have received tribute from other nations; now, its status is reversed, symbolizing its utter humiliation and subjugation under foreign rule. This term underscores the profound shift from power to servitude, reflecting the severe consequences of divine judgment upon the city.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Lamentations 1:1 mourns the desolation of Jerusalem due to sin, it also implicitly points to the deeper human condition of separation from God, which ultimately finds its remedy in Christ. The "solitary" city, stripped of its glory and abandoned, foreshadows the ultimate "solitary" suffering of Jesus on the cross, where He bore the weight of humanity's sin and experienced profound abandonment by God for our sake ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Just as Jerusalem became a "widow," vulnerable and without a protector, so too humanity, alienated from God, was left without hope until Christ, the true "Lamb of God," offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to atone for sin ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His death transformed our "tributary" status, freeing us from the bondage of sin and death, making us heirs of God's kingdom rather than slaves to spiritual powers ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness and Transferred to the Kingdom of His Beloved Son")). Through His resurrection, Christ rebuilds what sin has destroyed, offering a new spiritual Jerusalem, the Church, where God dwells with His people, a city no longer solitary but full of those redeemed by His grace ([Revelation 21:2-3](/revelation/21-2-3 "Revelation 21:2-3 - The New Jerusalem Descends")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to restore and redeem, turning lament into everlasting joy and establishing a kingdom that will never be destroyed.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.