Lamentations 1:16

KJV

For these [things] I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.

KJV (with Strong's)

For these things I weep {H1058}; mine eye {H5869}, mine eye {H5869} runneth down {H3381} with water {H4325}, because the comforter {H5162} that should relieve {H7725} my soul {H5315} is far {H7368} from me: my children {H1121} are desolate {H8074}, because the enemy {H341} prevailed {H1396}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Because of these things, I weep; my eyes, my eyes stream with tears; for anyone who could comfort me and revive my courage is far away. My children are in a state of shock, because the enemy has prevailed."

Berean Standard Bible

For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to revive my soul. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed.

American Standard Version

For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water; Because the comforter that should refresh my soul is far from me: My children are desolate, because the enemy hath prevailed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 1:16 vividly portrays the profound and inconsolable grief of Jerusalem, personified as a desolate woman, in the wake of its catastrophic destruction by Babylon. The verse describes an overwhelming sorrow expressed through ceaseless weeping, a desperate longing for comfort that remains agonizingly distant, and the heartbreaking desolation of its inhabitants, all directly attributed to the complete triumph of the enemy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 1:16 is situated within the first chapter of the book, which functions as an acrostic poem (though not perfectly sustained throughout the entire book) meticulously detailing the devastating aftermath of Jerusalem's fall in 586 BC. This chapter primarily expresses the city's lament, casting Jerusalem as a bereaved widow or a humiliated woman, often referred to as "Daughter of Zion," mourning her ruin and the profound shame inflicted upon her. The verses immediately preceding this one (e.g., [Lamentations 1:12-15](/lamentations/1-12-15 "Lamentations 1:12-15 - Jerusalem's Unparalleled Suffering")) describe the city's immense suffering, the scorn of onlookers, and a dawning realization that this calamity is a direct consequence of Yahweh's righteous judgment for her transgressions. Verse 16 continues this outpouring of raw grief, intensifying the focus on the personal anguish of the city and the utter absence of external solace, thereby deepening the emotional landscape that sets the stage for the theological reflections and pleas for divine mercy found in subsequent chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical bedrock for the book of Lamentations is the Babylonian conquest of Judah, which culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple in 586 BC, followed by the forced exile of its inhabitants. This event represented an unprecedented catastrophe for the Israelite people, fundamentally challenging their understanding of God's covenant faithfulness and His perceived protective presence. Culturally, lament was a deeply ingrained and socially sanctioned form of expression throughout the ancient Near East, particularly in response to national disasters, widespread famine, or military defeat. The physical acts of weeping, tearing garments, and sitting in ashes were universally recognized and practiced expressions of profound grief and communal mourning. The "enemy" explicitly refers to the formidable Babylonian forces under King Nebuchadnezzar. The "desolation" of "children" poignantly underscores the widespread suffering endured by the entire populace, including the most vulnerable members of society, and the complete shattering of the societal fabric—a direct and agonizing consequence of the enemy's decisive "prevailing" or gaining absolute ascendancy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Lamentations. Firstly, the theme of **unbearable suffering and grief** is paramount, vividly expressed through the imagery of incessant weeping and the palpable feeling of abandonment. Secondly, it subtly but powerfully underscores the theme of **divine judgment**, as the suffering, while immediately caused by the enemy, is understood within the broader context of Lamentations as a just consequence of Jerusalem's persistent sin. The agonizing absence of a "comforter" highlights the theme of **isolation and abandonment**, a crushing sense of being forsaken by both human aid and, in the immediate moment, divine intervention. Finally, the "desolation" of "my children" emphasizes the theme of **communal devastation**, illustrating that the city's fall impacted every segment of its population, leading to a pervasive sense of hopelessness and irreparable loss, a sentiment echoed throughout the book (e.g., [Lamentations 2:19](/lamentations/2-19 "Lamentations 2:19 - Call to Lament for the Children")). The enemy's triumph signifies the profound **loss of national sovereignty and security**, a central and agonizing concern for a people who had long believed themselves to be divinely protected (compare with the confidence expressed in [Psalm 46](/psalms/46 "Psalm 46 - God Our Refuge and Strength")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **weep (Hebrew, _bâkâh'_):** From H1058, this primitive root signifies more than mere tear-shedding; it denotes a deep, often guttural expression of sorrow, typically involving wailing, bemoaning, and making lamentation. Its use here conveys an uncontrollable, overwhelming grief that consumes the speaker, indicating a state of profound distress and lamentation that extends far beyond simple sadness to a complete emotional breakdown.
* **comforter (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** From H5162, this root word properly means "to sigh," implying a strong breath, and by extension, "to be sorry," "to pity," or "to console." The form used in this verse refers to "one who comforts" or "one who brings relief." Its absence ("is far from me") highlights the speaker's utter lack of solace, emphasizing a feeling of abandonment and the profound depth of despair where no external source of relief is available or near.
* **desolate (Hebrew, _shâmêm'_):** From H8074, this primitive root means "to stun" or "grow numb," and by implication, "to devastate" or "stupefy." When applied to the children, it describes their state as utterly laid waste, astonished by their suffering, and left in a condition of ruin, emptiness, and stupefaction. It conveys a sense of utter destruction and abandonment, affecting not just their physical circumstances but also their emotional and spiritual well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For these [things] I weep":** This opening declaration immediately establishes the speaker's overwhelming sorrow. The phrase "these things" refers comprehensively to the preceding descriptions of Jerusalem's utter ruin, her profound humiliation, and the widespread suffering of her people. The weeping is presented as a direct, visceral, and unavoidable response to the catastrophic events that have befallen the city.
* **"mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water":** This powerful and emphatic repetition serves to underscore the intensity, ceaselessness, and sheer volume of the weeping. It paints a vivid picture of tears flowing uncontrollably and continuously, indicating a grief so profound and inexhaustible that it cannot be contained or stopped, suggesting an endless fount of sorrow.
* **"because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me":** This clause provides the agonizing reason for the intense and persistent weeping: the complete absence of any source of comfort or relief. The "comforter" (מְנַחֵם, _menaḥem_) refers to someone or something that could bring solace, ease the profound emotional pain, or restore even a glimmer of hope. Its being "far" signifies not merely physical distance but an overwhelming emotional and spiritual void, a crushing feeling of utter abandonment and isolation in the very midst of suffering. The "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_, H5315) here refers to the very essence of the speaker's being, emphasizing the deep, internal anguish that permeates every fiber of existence.
* **"my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed":** This final clause reveals the specific and heartbreaking object of the speaker's grief and identifies the ultimate, immediate cause of their suffering. "My children" refers to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, particularly the younger generation and the vulnerable, who are left in a state of ruin, despair, and utter abandonment. Their desolation is directly attributed to the enemy's (אָיֵב, _ʼôyêb_, H341) decisive triumph (גָּבַר, _gâbar_, H1396), signifying a complete and overwhelming victory that has left the city and its people utterly destroyed, without hope, and stripped of all former security.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 1:16 is profoundly enriched by its masterful use of literary devices, which amplify its emotional impact and convey the depth of despair. **Personification** is a central device, as Jerusalem is vividly depicted as a weeping woman ("I weep," "mine eye"), thereby embodying the collective grief, shame, and suffering of its inhabitants. This allows for a deeply empathetic and visceral connection with the devastated city. The **repetition** of "mine eye, mine eye" functions as a powerful form of **emphasis** and **hyperbole**, vividly conveying the ceaseless, overwhelming, and inexhaustible nature of the weeping. It suggests an endless outpouring of tears, highlighting the extremity of the sorrow. The phrase "runneth down with water" serves as a poignant **metaphor** for abundant, uncontrollable tears. The stark **contrast** between the expected presence of a "comforter" and its agonizing actual absence ("is far from me") creates a profound sense of **pathos** and intensifies the feeling of abandonment and isolation. The final statement, "my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed," employs a clear **cause and effect** structure to succinctly explain the source of the widespread suffering, reinforcing the tragic and undeniable reality of conquest and its devastating consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 1:16 powerfully articulates the raw human experience of profound loss and abandonment in the face of overwhelming disaster, a reality often intertwined with the theological theme of divine judgment. While the immediate cause of the suffering is the "enemy," the broader context of Lamentations reveals that this catastrophe is understood as God's righteous judgment against Judah's persistent sin and rebellion. The agonizing absence of a "comforter" can be interpreted as the temporary withdrawal of divine solace, allowing the full, bitter weight of consequences to be felt, or as the utter failure of all human and national resources in the face of such unprecedented devastation. Yet, even in this depth of despair, the very act of lament itself is a profound form of prayer, a desperate cry to God, implicitly holding onto the faint hope that God might eventually "turn back" and bring relief, demonstrating a persistent, albeit pained, engagement with the divine.

* [Psalm 137:1](/psalms/137-1 "Weeping by the Rivers of Babylon")
* [Jeremiah 8:18-22](/jeremiah/8-18-22 "The Prophet's Grief for His People")
* [Isaiah 51:17-23](/isaiah/51-17-23 "Jerusalem's Cup of Wrath and Deliverance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 1:16 offers a profound, unfiltered expression of grief that resonates deeply with the universal human experience of loss, whether it be personal bereavement, communal tragedy, or societal breakdown. It serves as a powerful reminder that sorrow, even when overwhelming and seemingly inconsolable, is a legitimate, necessary, and often purifying part of processing pain. The verse validates the agonizing feeling of abandonment, acknowledging that there are indeed times when comfort seems utterly distant and hope appears elusive. For believers, it stands as a poignant reminder that even in the darkest valleys, where the "enemy" (be it literal, spiritual, or circumstantial adversity) seems to have prevailed, our lament is heard by a God who intimately understands suffering. This passage calls us to cultivate deep empathy for those who mourn, to sit with them in their desolation without offering trite solutions, and to remember that true comfort, though sometimes delayed or experienced differently than expected, is ultimately found in God's unwavering presence and His enduring promises, even when they feel far away. Ultimately, Lamentations 1:16 encourages us to bring our unfiltered, raw pain before God, trusting that our tears are neither unnoticed nor unvalued by the One who collects them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "things" in your personal life, community, or the wider world cause you to "weep" with such intensity and profound sorrow?**
* **In moments of deep and overwhelming grief, have you ever felt that a "comforter" was "far from" you? How did you navigate or respond to that feeling of isolation?**
* **How does this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's active presence and compassionate involvement during times of intense suffering and desolation?**
* **Beyond merely expressing sadness, what does it truly mean to engage in lament as a spiritual discipline, and how might it draw you closer to God?**

### FAQ

**Who is the "I" speaking in Lamentations 1:16?**

Answer: The "I" in Lamentations 1:16 is primarily understood as the personified city of Jerusalem, often referred to as the "Daughter of Zion." This powerful literary device allows the city itself to express its profound grief, shame, and desolation as if it were a weeping woman or a bereaved mother. While the prophet Jeremiah is traditionally associated with writing Lamentations and certainly embodies the sorrow of his people, the voice is most powerfully that of the fallen city itself, mourning its destruction and the suffering of its inhabitants, referred to as "my children." This personification makes the city's plight relatable and emotionally impactful, as seen throughout [Lamentations 1](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Jerusalem's Lament").

**What is the significance of the "comforter" being "far from me"?**

Answer: The "comforter" (Hebrew: *menaḥem*) refers to anyone or anything that could bring solace, relief, or consolation in a time of profound distress. Its being "far from me" signifies a deep and agonizing sense of abandonment and isolation. The speaker, Jerusalem, feels utterly alone in her suffering, deprived of any source of human aid, divine intervention, or even internal resilience that might alleviate her anguish. This highlights the overwhelming depth of her despair and the catastrophic nature of her calamity. It underscores that the judgment and devastation were so complete that no traditional sources of comfort or support remained, leaving the city in a state of utter desolation, a theme also powerfully described in [Lamentations 1:2](/lamentations/1-2 "Lamentations 1:2 - Jerusalem's Abandonment").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 1:16, with its raw depiction of inconsolable grief, widespread desolation, and the agonizing absence of a comforter, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The weeping of Jerusalem foreshadows the tears of Christ over the very same city, as He lamented its spiritual blindness and impending judgment, a poignant moment recorded in [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem"). More profoundly, the desolation of "my children" and the prevailing enemy find their definitive answer in Christ's suffering on the cross. He willingly became desolate, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - The Cry of Dereliction")), bearing the full, crushing weight of sin and divine judgment, precisely so that humanity would not be left without a Comforter. The enemy, Satan, who "prevailed" in the fall and brought about such desolation, was ultimately defeated and disarmed by Christ's decisive victory over death and sin on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers and Authorities")). Furthermore, the deep longing for a comforter expressed in Lamentations is fully met in the person of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send as the "Helper" or "Paraclete" ([John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit and His Presence")), ensuring that believers are never truly left comfortless or desolate, even in their deepest sorrows, for He dwells within them, bringing abiding solace, hope, and an eternal presence.

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

Lamentations 1:2

She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears [are] on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort [her]: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.

Lamentations 2:18

Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.

Lamentations 3:48

Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Lamentations 3:49

Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,

Psalms 119:136

¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Lamentations 2:11

Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.

Jeremiah 13:17

But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for [your] pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.