Lamentations 2:17

KJV

The LORD hath done [that] which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused [thine] enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} hath done {H6213} that which he had devised {H2161}; he hath fulfilled {H1214} his word {H565} that he had commanded {H6680} in the days {H3117} of old {H6924}: he hath thrown down {H2040}, and hath not pitied {H2550}: and he hath caused thine enemy {H341} to rejoice {H8055} over thee, he hath set up {H7311} the horn {H7161} of thine adversaries {H6862}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI has done what he planned, he has fulfilled his promise, which he decreed in ancient times. He has destroyed without pity, he has let the enemy gloat over you and filled your foes with pride.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD has done what He planned; He has accomplished His decree, which He ordained in days of old; He has overthrown you without pity. He has let the enemy gloat over you and exalted the horn of your foes.

American Standard Version

Jehovah hath done that which he purposed; he hath fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old; He hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: And he hath caused the enemy to rejoice over thee; he hath exalted the horn of thine adversaries.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 2:17 stands as a profound declaration of divine judgment, asserting that the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem was not a random tragedy but the deliberate and purposeful act of the LORD. The prophet Jeremiah laments the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and covenant warnings, portraying God as having executed His long-devised plan without pity, thereby allowing Jerusalem's enemies to triumph and their power to be exalted. This verse emphasizes God's unwavering sovereignty and His faithfulness to His spoken word, even when that word brings severe discipline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 2 is a vivid and harrowing description of Jerusalem's utter devastation, seen as the direct result of divine wrath. Following chapter 1, which personifies Jerusalem as a weeping widow, chapter 2 shifts focus to the LORD's active role in the city's destruction. Verse 17 specifically functions as a theological explanation for the suffering, asserting that God is not merely permitting but actively orchestrating the calamity. It frames the destruction as the fulfillment of His ancient decrees, setting the stage for the prophet's continued lament over the unmitigated nature of this divine judgment, as seen in subsequent verses that describe the extent of the suffering and the taunts of the enemies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations mourns the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BC at the hands of the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar. This event was the culmination of centuries of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness, idolatry, and social injustice, despite repeated warnings from prophets. Culturally, the "horn" (Hebrew: _qeren_) was a potent symbol of strength, power, and dignity, often associated with kingship and national might. To have one's horn "set up" or "exalted" meant to be victorious and powerful, while to have it "cut off" or "thrown down" signified defeat and humiliation. Thus, the verse's declaration that God Himself "set up the horn of thine adversaries" was a profound statement of Israel's abject defeat and the divine sanction behind Babylon's triumph.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several central themes of Lamentations and the broader prophetic tradition. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Intentional Judgment**, emphasizing that God is in complete control and actively executes His will, even in judgment. It highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy and Covenant Warnings**, specifically the curses outlined in the Mosaic Law for disobedience, such as those found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") and [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Covenant Blessings and Curses"). The phrase "hath not pitied" underscores the **Severity and Unmitigated Nature of God's Wrath** when His patience is exhausted. Finally, the exaltation of the enemy reflects the theme of **Humiliation and Shame** experienced by God's people, a consequence of their rebellion and a testament to God's use of foreign nations as instruments of His righteous indignation, as seen in [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as God's Instrument").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **devised (Hebrew, _zâmam'_):** A primitive root meaning "to plan, usually in a bad sense; consider, devise, imagine, plot, purpose, think (evil)." In this context, applied to the LORD, it signifies His deliberate and calculated intention to bring about judgment, emphasizing that the destruction was not accidental or arbitrary but a pre-determined divine purpose, a righteous plan of justice.
* **fulfilled (Hebrew, _bâtsaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to break off, i.e. (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop; perform." Here, it carries the sense of bringing to completion or executing fully. When applied to God's "word," it powerfully conveys the certainty and efficacy of His pronouncements, demonstrating that every word He has spoken, even warnings of judgment, will inevitably come to pass.
* **thrown down (Hebrew, _hâraç'_):** A primitive root meaning "to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy; beat down, break (down, through), destroy, overthrow, pluck down, pull down, ruin, throw down, [idiom] utterly." This word vividly describes the comprehensive and destructive nature of God's action against Jerusalem, indicating a complete demolition and ruin, leaving nothing intact.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD hath done [that] which he had devised;":** This opening clause immediately establishes divine agency and intentionality. It declares that the devastation witnessed in Jerusalem is not a random calamity but the direct, deliberate, and pre-planned work of Yahweh. His actions are the execution of a purpose He had conceived.
* **"he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old:":** This clause connects the present destruction to ancient divine pronouncements. It asserts that God is faithful to His covenant, not only in promises but also in warnings. The "word" refers to the covenant curses and prophecies of judgment given through Moses and subsequent prophets, which now find their complete and undeniable fulfillment.
* **"he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied:":** This phrase underscores the severity and unmitigated nature of God's judgment. "Thrown down" signifies total destruction, while "hath not pitied" emphasizes the absence of mercy in this specific act of judgment, indicating that the time for compassion had passed, and the full weight of divine wrath was being poured out without restraint.
* **"and he hath caused [thine] enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.":** This final clause describes the humiliating consequences for Jerusalem. Not only is the city destroyed, but God Himself has empowered (set up the "horn," a symbol of strength and power) the enemies, allowing them to triumph and rejoice over Israel's downfall. This highlights the depth of Israel's shame and the divine sanction behind the Babylonians' victory.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 2:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Personification** is evident in the depiction of the LORD as an active agent, "doing," "devising," "fulfilling," "throwing down," and "setting up." This anthropomorphic language emphasizes God's direct and personal involvement in the events. **Symbolism** is prominently featured with the "horn of thine adversaries," where the horn represents power, strength, and dominion. Its "setting up" signifies the exaltation and triumph of Jerusalem's enemies, directly facilitated by God. The phrase "hath not pitied" functions as a form of **hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme and unreserved nature of God's judgment, conveying that no mitigating compassion was shown in this moment of severe discipline. Furthermore, the structure of the verse exhibits a form of **parallelism**, where the successive clauses reinforce the theme of divine sovereignty and the execution of judgment, building a cumulative effect of God's deliberate and complete action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 2:17 is a stark reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His word, encompassing both His promises and His warnings. It reveals a God who is sovereign over history, actively involved in the affairs of nations, and righteous in His judgments. The destruction of Jerusalem, though devastating, was not arbitrary but a just consequence of Israel's persistent rebellion against the covenant. This verse underscores the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine retribution when warnings are ignored. Yet, even in the midst of such severe judgment, the underlying theological purpose is often redemptive, aiming to bring His people to repentance and ultimately, restoration, as later passages in Lamentations hint at God's enduring mercies.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Leviticus 26:14](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14 - Covenant Curses")
* [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as God's Rod of Anger")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 2:17 confronts us with the profound truth of God's absolute sovereignty and the certainty of His word. It serves as a somber yet crucial reminder that God is not to be trifled with; His warnings are as sure as His promises. For believers, this verse prompts a deep introspection: Do we take God's commands and warnings seriously? Are we living in a manner that honors His covenant, or are we prone to the same patterns of disobedience that led to Israel's downfall? Understanding that God's judgment, though painful, often serves as a form of discipline intended to lead His people to repentance and restoration, encourages us to embrace humility, confess our sins, and turn back to Him. Even in seasons of hardship, we can trust that God's ultimate purpose is good, and His faithfulness ensures, even if His methods are severe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's "devised" and "fulfilled" word impact your understanding of His character?**
* **What specific warnings or commands from God's Word might you be currently neglecting, and what might be the consequences?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult circumstances in your life or in the world to bring about a greater purpose or to call for repentance?**

### FAQ
**Why did God "not pity" Jerusalem, given His compassionate nature?**

Answer: The phrase "hath not pitied" highlights the extreme and unmitigated nature of this specific judgment, not a permanent absence of God's compassion. It signifies that Jerusalem's persistent and egregious rebellion had reached a point where divine justice necessitated the full outpouring of wrath, as warned in the covenant curses (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience")). God's patience had been exhausted after centuries of warnings through prophets. While this moment was devoid of pity, it was a righteous act of a holy God, intended to bring about a profound lesson and ultimately, a future restoration for a remnant (as hinted in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Steadfast Love")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 2:17, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment and the fulfillment of God's word against a rebellious people, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the cross. The "word that he had commanded in the days of old" concerning judgment for sin was fully and perfectly executed not upon us, but upon Christ Himself. He became the one who was "thrown down" and upon whom the Father's righteous wrath for sin was poured out without pity, so that we might be spared. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") declares, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." The "horn of thine adversaries," representing the power of sin and death, was indeed "set up" against humanity, but Christ, through His death and resurrection, utterly defeated these adversaries, disarming them and triumphing over them (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Thus, the terrifying judgment fulfilled in Lamentations 2:17 foreshadows the even more profound and redemptive judgment borne by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") on the cross, ensuring that for those in Christ, there is now "no condemnation" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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

Psalms 89:42

Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

Ezekiel 5:11

Wherefore, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish [thee]; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

Lamentations 2:1

¶ How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, [and] cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!

Lamentations 2:2

The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought [them] down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof.

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.

Ezekiel 7:8

Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.

Ezekiel 7:9

And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations [that] are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD that smiteth.