Lamentations 1:5

Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.

Her adversaries {H6862} are the chief {H7218}, her enemies {H341} prosper {H7951}; for the LORD {H3068} hath afflicted {H3013} her for the multitude {H7230} of her transgressions {H6588}: her children {H5768} are gone {H1980} into captivity {H7628} before {H6440} the enemy {H6862}.

Her foes have become the head, her enemies relax, for ADONAI has made her suffer because of her many sins. Her young children have gone away captive before the foe.

Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy.

Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper; For Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: Her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary.

Commentary on Lamentations 1:5

Lamentations 1:5 vividly portrays the tragic consequences of Judah's disobedience, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history. The verse reads: "Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy."

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of the devastating fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a cataclysmic event for the people of Judah. The prophet Jeremiah (traditionally believed to be the author of Lamentations) mourns the destruction of the city, the Temple, and the subsequent exile of its inhabitants by the Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar. "Her adversaries" refers specifically to the Babylonians, who had conquered and sacked Jerusalem, taking its people captive. The phrase "her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper" underscores the complete reversal of fortune and the utter humiliation of Jerusalem, once a proud capital, now under the dominion of its foes.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences of Sin: The central theme is explicit: "for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions." This verse directly attributes Jerusalem's downfall and suffering not merely to a stronger military power, but to God's righteous judgment against His people's persistent sin, idolatry, and rebellion against His covenant. This reflects the warnings given throughout the Mosaic Law regarding disobedience (see Deuteronomy 28:15).
  • The Sovereignty of God in Affliction: Even amidst the chaos of conquest and exile, the text affirms that God is in control. It was the LORD who "afflicted her," indicating that the Babylonian invasion was an instrument of His divine will and discipline, not a random act of fate.
  • Prosperity of Enemies: The success of Judah's enemies highlights the depth of Jerusalem's suffering. The Babylonians' prosperity was a stark reminder of Judah's defeat and God's hand in allowing their adversaries to prevail as a form of judgment.
  • Captivity and Loss: The tragic outcome, "her children are gone into captivity before the enemy," speaks to the mass deportation of the Jewish people to Babylon. This was not just a political defeat but a spiritual and communal trauma, as families were torn apart and the nation lost its land and temple (compare 2 Kings 25:11).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "afflicted" is ‘anah (עָנָה), which carries a sense of humbling, oppressing, or bringing low. It implies a purposeful action by God to bring about repentance and discipline. The term for "transgressions" is pesha‘ (פֶּשַׁע), often translated as rebellion or revolt. It signifies a deliberate breaking of a covenant or a serious offense, emphasizing the wilful nature of Judah's sin against God.

Practical Application

Lamentations 1:5 serves as a profound reminder that actions have consequences, especially in relation to divine principles. It teaches that God is just and faithful, even in His judgment. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of:

  • Repentance: Acknowledging and turning away from sin is crucial, as disobedience can lead to severe consequences.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in difficult times or when adversaries seem to prosper, God remains sovereign and can use various circumstances for His purposes, including discipline.
  • Understanding Discipline: Affliction can be a form of divine discipline, intended to bring about spiritual growth and a return to God.

The verse calls us to examine our own lives and communities, ensuring we remain faithful to God's ways to avoid the painful outcomes of persistent rebellion.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 8:17

    Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen [this], O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.

  • Ezekiel 8:18

    Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

  • Deuteronomy 32:15

    ¶ But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered [with fatness]; then he forsook God [which] made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

  • Deuteronomy 32:27

    Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, [and] lest they should say, Our hand [is] high, and the LORD hath not done all this.

  • Ezekiel 9:9

    Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah [is] exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.

  • Jeremiah 39:9

    Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.

  • Psalms 90:7

    ¶ For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back