Lamentations 2:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Mine eyes {H5869} do fail {H3615} with tears {H1832}, my bowels {H4578} are troubled {H2560}, my liver {H3516} is poured {H8210} upon the earth {H776}, for the destruction {H7667} of the daughter {H1323} of my people {H5971}; because the children {H5768} and the sucklings {H3243} swoon {H5848} in the streets {H7339} of the city {H7151}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My eyes are worn out from weeping, everything in me is churning; I am empty of emotion because of the wounds to my people, because children and infants are fainting away in the streets of the city.

Berean Standard Bible

My eyes fail from weeping; I am churning within. My heart is poured out in grief over the destruction of the daughter of my people, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 2:11 offers a profoundly agonizing depiction of the prophet's overwhelming grief and physical collapse in response to the utter devastation of Jerusalem and its people. It vividly portrays the intense physical manifestations of sorrow—eyes failing from incessant tears, internal organs wracked with pain, and a complete sense of emotional and physical depletion—all triggered by the horrific sight of starving children and infants perishing in the city's streets. This verse encapsulates the deep lament for a people suffering the dire consequences of divine judgment, highlighting the indiscriminate and heartbreaking toll of war and famine on the most vulnerable.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 2:11 is situated within the second of five poetic laments that comprise the book of Lamentations. This chapter specifically intensifies the portrayal of God's active role in Jerusalem's destruction, depicting Him as a fierce warrior against His own people. While [Lamentations 1](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Jerusalem's Desolation") personifies Jerusalem as a weeping widow, chapter 2 shifts focus to the Lord's direct and severe judgment, setting the stage for the prophet's visceral personal anguish. The verses preceding 2:11 detail the Lord's relentless assault on Zion, tearing down its strongholds and bringing its glory to the dust, creating a backdrop of divine wrath that precipitates the human catastrophe described in this verse, particularly the suffering of the innocent.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, composed in the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple in 586 BC. This cataclysmic event marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma. The verse's graphic imagery reflects the brutal realities of ancient siege warfare, where starvation was a primary weapon, leading to widespread suffering and death, especially among the most vulnerable. The mention of "children and sucklings" underscores the indiscriminate nature of this suffering. Culturally, in the ancient Near East, the "bowels" (mêʻeh) and "liver" (kâbêd) were not merely physical organs but were understood as the profound seats of deep emotion, compassion, and inner turmoil. Thus, their "troubling" or "pouring out" signifies an unbearable, total emotional and physical collapse, a profound expression of grief that transcends mere sadness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Lamentations and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the **overwhelming grief and physical manifestation of sorrow**, demonstrating how profound emotional anguish can lead to debilitating physical symptoms, a theme echoed in other laments like [Psalm 6:6-7](/psalms/6-6-7 "Psalm 6:6-7 - David's Anguish and Tears"). It vividly illustrates the **horrors and indiscriminate suffering of war and famine**, particularly highlighting the vulnerability of the innocent, a tragic reality also found in the prophetic warnings of [Jeremiah 14:15-16](/jeremiah/14-15-16 "Jeremiah 14:15-16 - Consequences of False Prophecy"). Furthermore, while focusing on human suffering, the verse implicitly points to the theme of **divine judgment and its severe consequences**. The prophet's lament, though deeply personal, is rooted in the understanding that Jerusalem's destruction is a direct result of Judah's persistent sin and rebellion against God, as prophesied throughout books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity"). The suffering depicted serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of covenant disobedience and the painful reality of God's righteous wrath.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fail (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** From a primitive root, this word means to end, cease, be finished, or perish. It can also signify to consume, destroy, or cause to faint. In the context of "Mine eyes do fail with tears," it conveys a profound sense of exhaustion and depletion, as if the eyes have reached their absolute limit of weeping, or their very function is ceasing due to the incessant flow of tears. It speaks to a debilitating weariness caused by overwhelming sorrow that drains one's physical capacity.
* **bowels (Hebrew, _mêʻeh'_):** Used primarily in the plural, this term refers to the intestines or abdomen. Figuratively, it denotes the innermost being, the seat of profound emotions such as sympathy, compassion, or deep distress. To have one's "bowels troubled" (paired with H2560 _châmar_, meaning to boil up, ferment, or be troubled) indicates an extreme internal churning, a visceral agony that reflects profound emotional turmoil and anguish, as if the very core of one's being is in distress and convulsing with pain.
* **swoon (Hebrew, _ʻâṭaph'_):** A primitive root meaning to shroud or clothe, but also, from the idea of being covered or in darkness, to languish, fail, faint, or be overwhelmed. When applied to "children and sucklings," it describes their collapse from extreme weakness, likely due to starvation or disease. It paints a devastating picture of utter helplessness and the tragic loss of life, as the most vulnerable members of society succumb to the harsh, life-threatening conditions of the siege and famine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Mine eyes do fail with tears":** This opening clause portrays an intense, prolonged, and physically draining period of weeping. The prophet's eyes are not merely shedding tears but are "failing," indicating a profound physical exhaustion and possibly impaired vision due to the continuous, overwhelming flow of tears, signifying a grief so deep it debilitates the physical senses.
* **"my bowels are troubled":** This refers to a deep, internal, visceral pain and emotional agitation. In ancient Hebrew thought, the bowels were considered the seat of deep emotions, compassion, and inner turmoil. To be "troubled" suggests an inner churning, a profound anguish and distress that resonates throughout the entire being, indicating a suffering that is not merely intellectual but physically felt at the core of one's existence.
* **"my liver is poured upon the earth":** This is a powerful and graphic hyperbole expressing utter collapse, despair, and a complete loss of vitality. The liver was also considered a vital organ and a seat of strong emotions. The imagery of it being "poured upon the earth" conveys a sense of complete depletion, as if the very essence of life, strength, and feeling has been spilled out, leaving the individual utterly broken, lifeless, and without any remaining strength or hope.
* **"for the destruction of the daughter of my people":** This phrase clearly identifies the primary cause of the prophet's intense physical and emotional suffering. "Daughter of my people" is a tender and poetic personification of Jerusalem and its inhabitants, emphasizing the intimate connection, deep affection, and profound identification the prophet feels for his beloved city and kin. Their "destruction" (Hebrew _sheber_, meaning fracture, ruin, or breaking) is the devastating reality that fuels his inconsolable lament.
* **"because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city":** This final clause provides the most heartbreaking and immediate reason for the prophet's extreme anguish. The sight of the most innocent and vulnerable—young children and infants—collapsing, fainting, and dying in public spaces due to famine or disease is the ultimate horror. This detail serves as a stark and tragic testament to the severity of the siege, the depth of the catastrophe, and the indiscriminate nature of the suffering.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 2:11 is exceptionally rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and visceral picture of profound suffering. The descriptions of "eyes failing with tears," "bowels troubled," and "liver is poured upon the earth" are not merely abstract statements but evoke powerful sensory experiences of debilitating physical and emotional agony. The phrase "my liver is poured upon the earth" is a striking example of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the physical manifestation of grief to convey its overwhelming, unbearable, and debilitating nature. The city of Jerusalem is tenderly personified as "the daughter of my people," a common literary device in prophetic literature that imbues the city with human characteristics and vulnerability, intensifying the sense of loss and sorrow felt by the prophet. The verse also employs profound **Pathos**, appealing strongly and directly to the reader's emotions by highlighting the suffering of the most innocent and helpless, "the children and the sucklings," thereby amplifying the tragedy and eliciting deep empathy and compassion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 2:11 profoundly illustrates the devastating consequences of sin and the severity of divine judgment, yet it simultaneously validates the depth of human suffering and the physical toll of profound grief. The prophet's visceral anguish reflects a deep identification with his people's plight, acknowledging the justice of God's hand while still lamenting the horrific reality of its execution. This suffering, while a direct result of disobedience, is not without purpose; it serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and the gravity of covenant breaking, ultimately intended to lead to repentance and restoration. Even in this darkest hour, the very act of lamenting is an act of faith, an honest appeal to the God who, though He brings affliction, is also rich in mercy and steadfast love, as beautifully captured later in the book.

* [Psalm 6:6](/psalms/6-6 "Psalm 6:6 - Weeping all night")
* [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Tears for His People")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Steadfast Love and Mercies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 2:11 calls us to confront the harsh realities of profound suffering, both personal and communal, without flinching. It reminds us that grief is not merely an emotional state but can manifest physically, affecting our entire being and draining us to the core. In a world still scarred by conflict, famine, injustice, and humanitarian crises, this verse compels us to cultivate deep and active empathy for those who suffer, especially the most vulnerable and innocent among us. It challenges us to look beyond immediate comfort and acknowledge the profound consequences of societal and spiritual brokenness, recognizing how sin and rebellion can lead to devastating outcomes. For believers, it serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity of sin and the importance of living in faithful obedience to God's covenant. Yet, even in the midst of overwhelming sorrow, the book of Lamentations ultimately pivots to hope, reminding us that God's compassion never fails, even when His judgment is severe. Our lament, like Jeremiah's, can be a pathway to deeper trust in God's enduring faithfulness and His ultimate promise of restoration and healing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the prophet's physical manifestation of grief resonate with your own experiences of deep sorrow, distress, or even compassion for others' suffering?**
* **What does the suffering of "children and sucklings" in this verse reveal about the indiscriminate and heartbreaking nature of human suffering in times of crisis, and how does this challenge our perspective?**
* **How can we, as individuals and communities of faith, respond with greater empathy, practical help, and advocacy to those experiencing profound suffering in our world today?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge us to consider the seriousness of sin and its consequences, both personally and corporately, and how might this lead to deeper repentance or commitment to righteousness?**

### FAQ
**Why is the language in Lamentations 2:11 so graphic and visceral?**

Answer: The graphic and visceral language in Lamentations 2:11 is employed to convey the extreme depth of the prophet's personal anguish and the horrific reality of Jerusalem's destruction. In ancient Hebrew culture, the "bowels" and "liver" were considered the profound seats of deep emotions, compassion, and inner turmoil, far more than just physical organs. Therefore, phrases like "my bowels are troubled" and "my liver is poured upon the earth" are not merely literal descriptions but powerful, hyperbolic expressions of overwhelming grief, despair, and complete physical and emotional collapse. This intense imagery serves to evoke strong empathy from the reader, highlighting the profound and debilitating suffering experienced by the people of Jerusalem, particularly the innocent children and infants perishing in the streets. It underscores the severity of God's judgment and the devastating human cost of sin and war, leaving no doubt about the tragedy's magnitude.

**What is the significance of mentioning "children and sucklings" in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of "children and sucklings" (infants) is profoundly significant as it highlights the indiscriminate and brutal nature of the suffering during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. These are the most innocent and vulnerable members of society, utterly dependent on others for survival and completely blameless in the national sin that led to the judgment. Their "swooning" or collapsing in the streets due to starvation or disease underscores the extreme conditions and the complete breakdown of societal order and protection. This detail intensifies the pathos of the lament, emphasizing the depth of the tragedy and the prophet's heartbreak over the suffering of those least able to defend themselves. It serves as a powerful indictment of the devastating consequences of national sin and divine judgment, as even the innocent bear the brunt of the calamity. This echoes similar laments for the vulnerable found in other prophetic books, such as [Jeremiah 6:11](/jeremiah/6-11 "Jeremiah 6:11 - God's Judgment on All Ages") and [Jeremiah 14:16](/jeremiah/14-16 "Jeremiah 14:16 - Famine and Sword for All").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 2:11, with its raw depiction of suffering and the prophet's deep empathy for his perishing people, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The prophet's anguish over the "daughter of my people" foreshadows Christ's own tender lament over Jerusalem, as recorded in [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem"), where He expresses a heartbroken desire to gather her children, much like a hen gathers her chicks, a desire tragically rejected. Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God, did not merely witness suffering from afar; He fully entered into it, taking upon Himself the very "destruction" (Hebrew _sheber_) that humanity deserved for its sin. His agony in Gethsemane, where His soul was "troubled" to the point of death ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), and His ultimate suffering on the cross, where His life was "poured out" as a sacrifice ([Isaiah 53:12](/isaiah/53-12 "Isaiah 53:12 - Christ's Sacrifice for Sin")), perfectly embody the visceral pain described in Lamentations. He is the compassionate High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Through His suffering, death, and resurrection, Christ offers not just comfort in sorrow but the ultimate solution to the brokenness caused by sin, promising a new heaven and new earth where God will wipe away every tear and death shall be no more ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears, No More Death")). Thus, the lament of Lamentations finds its hopeful resolution in the redemptive work of Christ, who transforms our deepest sorrows into eternal joy.

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 1:20

Behold, O LORD; for I [am] in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home [there is] as death.

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.

Job 16:13

His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

Psalms 22:14

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

Lamentations 3:48

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

Lamentations 3:51

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

Jeremiah 4:19

¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.