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.

The Lord {H136} hath swallowed up {H1104} all the habitations {H4999} of Jacob {H3290}, and hath not pitied {H2550}: he hath thrown down {H2040} in his wrath {H5678} the strong holds {H4013} of the daughter {H1323} of Judah {H3063}; he hath brought them down {H5060} to the ground {H776}: he hath polluted {H2490} the kingdom {H4467} and the princes {H8269} thereof.

Without pity Adonai swallowed up all the dwellings of Ya'akov. In his wrath he broke down the strongholds of the daughter of Y'hudah, brought them down to the ground, thus profaning the kingdom and its rulers.

Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob. In His wrath He has demolished the fortified cities of the Daughter of Judah. He brought to the ground and defiled her kingdom and its princes.

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

Commentary

Lamentations 2:2 vividly portrays the Lord's devastating judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, emphasizing the completeness and severity of their downfall. This verse is a poignant expression of the prophet's sorrow over the destruction that befell the people due to their persistent sin and rebellion against God.

Context

The book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, serves as a series of funeral dirges mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Chapter 2 continues the theme of God's fierce wrath, describing the utter ruin of the city and its inhabitants, not as an act of an invading army alone, but as a direct consequence of divine judgment. The "habitations of Jacob" refers to the dwellings of the Israelites, while "daughter of Judah" is a poetic reference to the nation or its capital, Jerusalem. The verse underscores that no part of their societyโ€”from common homes to fortified strongholds, kingdom, and leadersโ€”was spared from God's hand.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The verse powerfully asserts that the destruction was not merely a historical event but a direct act of the Lord. Phrases like "swallowed up," "hath not pitied," and "thrown down in his wrath" highlight God's active role and righteous indignation against sin. This demonstrates God's holy wrath against unrighteousness.
  • Total Devastation: The scope of the destruction is all-encompassing, affecting "all the habitations," "strong holds," and even the "kingdom and the princes thereof." This signifies a complete dismantling of their societal, political, and spiritual structures, leaving nothing untouched.
  • Consequences of Sin: The severity of the judgment serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of national disobedience and covenant unfaithfulness, as forewarned in the Law.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew verb for "swallowed up" is bala (ื‘ึผึธืœึทืข), conveying the idea of complete consumption or destruction, as if devoured without a trace.
  • The phrase "hath not pitied" (ืœึนื ื—ึธืžึทืœ, lo chamal) emphasizes the lack of compassion in the face of deserved judgment, underscoring the severity and justice of God's actions.
  • "Polluted" (ื—ึธืœึทืœ, chalal) means to profane, defile, or make common. It suggests that the sacred status and dignity of the kingdom and its rulers were stripped away, brought down to the dust, indicating a profound loss of honor and sanctity.

Practical Application

Lamentations 2:2 serves as a timeless reminder of God's justice and sovereignty. It teaches us that:

  • God is Just and Holds Accountable: While God is merciful, He is also just and will hold individuals and nations accountable for their actions, especially when there is persistent rebellion against His commands.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The immense suffering described in Lamentations underscores the profound seriousness of sin in God's eyes and its devastating consequences.
  • Call to Repentance: Though this verse focuses on judgment, the broader message of Lamentations, and indeed the entire Bible, is a call to repentance and turning back to God, even in times of severe discipline. Understanding the depth of God's righteous judgment can lead to a deeper appreciation for His grace and a renewed commitment to obedience.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Lamentations 3:43

    Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.

  • Psalms 89:39

    Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown [by casting it] to the ground.

  • Psalms 89:40

    Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.

  • Lamentations 2:17

    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.

  • Isaiah 43:28

    Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.

  • Isaiah 25:12

    And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, [and] bring to the ground, [even] to the dust.

  • Psalms 21:9

    Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
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