Lamentations 2:16

Lamentations 2:16 (KJV) vividly portrays the malicious joy and triumph of Jerusalem's enemies following its devastating fall. This verse is part of a profound lament, a poetic expression of deep sorrow over the destruction of the holy city and its temple by the Babylonian forces.

Context of Lamentations 2:16

The Book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, serves as an elegy for the ruined city of Jerusalem after its siege and destruction in 586 BC. Chapter 2 intensely describes the Lord's fierce anger and the complete desolation brought upon Judah. Verse 16 shifts focus to the reaction of the surrounding nations and adversaries who witnessed and delighted in Jerusalem's downfall. This historical event marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of immense suffering for the Jewish people. The enemies mentioned here are primarily the Babylonians, but also potentially neighboring peoples who harbored animosity towards Judah, eagerly awaiting its demise.

Key Themes and Messages

• Malicious Triumph of Enemies: The verse paints a vivid picture of the adversaries' gloating. Their open mouths, hissing, and gnashing of teeth are expressions of intense hatred and satisfaction at Jerusalem's suffering. This theme of enemies rejoicing over Israel's distress is also seen in other prophetic and poetic books, such as Psalm 35:21.
• Complete Devastation: The declaration, "We have swallowed [her] up," signifies the absolute and overwhelming conquest of Jerusalem. It emphasizes that the city was not merely defeated but utterly consumed and annihilated by its foes.
• Fulfillment of Anticipation: "Certainly this [is] the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen [it]" reveals the long-held desire of these enemies to witness Jerusalem's destruction. Their words highlight their malicious anticipation and the grim satisfaction of seeing their wish fulfilled.
• Divine Judgment: While the verse focuses on the enemies' reaction, the broader context of Lamentations attributes Jerusalem's destruction to God's righteous judgment against His people for their persistent sin and rebellion. The enemies are unwitting instruments in God's plan, as highlighted in Lamentations 1:5.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses evocative language to convey the enemies' scorn:

• "Hiss" (Hebrew: sharak) and "gnash the teeth" (Hebrew: charak shēn) are powerful onomatopoeic verbs that depict sounds of derision, contempt, and predatory satisfaction. These actions convey a deep-seated malice and a triumphant mockery.
• "Swallowed [her] up" (Hebrew: bala') is a strong verb implying complete absorption, consumption, or annihilation. It suggests that Jerusalem was utterly overwhelmed and devoured by its attackers, leaving nothing of its former glory.

Practical Application

Lamentations 2:16 serves as a sobering reminder of several truths:

• Consequences of Disobedience: The verse, within its larger context, underscores the severe consequences of persistent disobedience to God's covenant.
• Adversaries' Malice: It illustrates the reality that adversaries, whether spiritual or physical, often delight in the struggles or downfall of God's people. This serves as a warning to remain vigilant and faithful, trusting in God's ultimate justice, even when it feels like enemies are prevailing.
• Empathy for Suffering: The raw portrayal of Jerusalem's humiliation encourages empathy for those who suffer public defeat, shame, or the malicious joy of their foes.
• Hope in God's Mercy: Despite the despair conveyed in this verse, the book of Lamentations itself eventually pivots to a message of hope in God's unfailing mercies and faithfulness, as beautifully expressed in Lamentations 3:22-23. This reminds us that even in the darkest moments, God's character remains steadfast.