Lamentations 1:16
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.
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}.
"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."
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.
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.
Cross-References
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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
ยถ 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.
Commentary
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."
Commentary
This verse is spoken from the perspective of Jerusalem (often personified as the "Daughter of Zion") or possibly the prophet Jeremiah himself, lamenting the utter devastation following the Babylonian conquest and destruction of the city in 586 BC. It captures the raw grief and despair of the aftermath.
The central theme is profound sorrow and the painful absence of comfort. The repetition of "mine eye, mine eye" (a strong emphasis in the original Hebrew) highlights the overwhelming, uncontrollable nature of the weeping. The speaker feels utterly alone, stating that the "comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me." This could refer to human help, divine solace, or both being unavailable in this moment of acute suffering. The consequence of the enemy's triumph is the desolation and suffering of the people, referred to here as "my children."
The word translated "comforter" (ืึฐื ึทืึตื - *menaแธฅem*) is related to bringing relief from distress. Its absence underscores the depth of the city's or speaker's anguish and feeling of abandonment.
The verse powerfully articulates the experience of intense grief, loss, and the feeling of being left without solace when faced with the consequences of disaster or judgment. It resonates with anyone who has experienced deep personal or communal sorrow where comfort seems distant. See also Psalm 137:1 for another expression of weeping for Jerusalem.
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