Lamentations 2:22

KJV

Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD'S anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast called {H7121} as in a solemn {H4150} day {H3117} my terrors {H4032} round about {H5439}, so that in the day {H3117} of the LORD'S {H3068} anger {H639} none escaped {H6412} nor remained {H8300}: those that I have swaddled {H2946} and brought up {H7235} hath mine enemy {H341} consumed {H3615}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You have summoned my terrors from every direction, as on a festival day. On the day of ADONAI's anger, not one escaped; not one survived -the children I held in my arms and raised, my enemy has destroyed.

Berean Standard Bible

You summoned my attackers on every side, as for the day of an appointed feast. In the day of the LORD’s anger no one escaped or survived; my enemy has destroyed those I nurtured and reared.

American Standard Version

Thou hast called, as in the day of a solemn assembly, my terrors on every side; And there was none that escaped or remained in the day of Jehovah’s anger: Those that I have dandled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 2:22 is a poignant lament from the prophet Jeremiah, personifying Jerusalem as she mourns the utter devastation wrought by divine judgment. The verse vividly portrays the city's complete encirclement by terrors, likened to a divinely appointed solemn assembly, from which no one escaped the Lord's fierce anger. The most heart-wrenching aspect is the tragic fate of the innocent children, whom Jerusalem had nurtured, now mercilessly consumed by her adversaries. It encapsulates the profound sorrow and total ruin experienced during the Babylonian conquest, underscoring the severity of God's righteous indignation against persistent sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 2 follows the initial lament of Chapter 1, which describes Jerusalem as a solitary widow, her glory departed. Chapter 2 intensifies this sorrow by shifting focus to the direct agency of God in the city's downfall. It systematically details the Lord's active role in bringing about the destruction, emphasizing that the suffering is not random but a direct consequence of covenant infidelity. The chapter begins by declaring how "the Lord has swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob without mercy" (/lamentations/2-2 "Lamentations 2:2 - God's Judgment"), systematically cataloging the destruction of walls, gates, palaces, and the temple. Verse 22, positioned at the chapter's conclusion, serves as a climactic summary of the complete and inescapable nature of this divine judgment, particularly highlighting the suffering of the most vulnerable, the children.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Lamentations is the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem to the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 586 BC, culminating in the destruction of the First Temple and the exile of the Jewish people. This event was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis for Israel, challenging their understanding of God's covenant promises and His presence among them. The "solemn day" mentioned in the verse ironically alludes to Israel's religious festivals (Hebrew: _mo'ed_), which were appointed times for gathering and worship. Here, God has appointed a "day" for a different kind of gathering—one of terror and judgment, fulfilling the curses outlined in the covenant for disobedience, as seen in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The cultural shock of seeing children, the future of the nation, utterly consumed by the enemy would have been immense, violating deeply held societal values concerning the protection and continuation of family lines.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Lamentations and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, portraying God's anger as a consuming fire that leaves "none escaped nor remained." This is a stark reminder of the consequences of covenant disobedience and the seriousness with which God views sin, a theme also powerfully articulated in prophetic warnings such as those found in [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Total Desolation and Irreversible Loss**, particularly through the imagery of "terrors round about" and the consumption of "swaddled and brought up" children. This speaks to the complete collapse of the social, political, and spiritual fabric of Judah. Finally, there is the heartbreaking theme of **Suffering of the Innocent**, as the most vulnerable members of society bear the brunt of the national sin, emphasizing the profound and widespread impact of the judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **solemn day (Hebrew, _môwʻêd yôwm'_):** The Hebrew word _môwʻêd_ (H4150) typically refers to an "appointed time" or "set season," often used for sacred festivals or assemblies (e.g., "feasts of the Lord"). When combined with _yôwm_ (H3117), "day," it signifies a divinely ordained, fixed day. Here, the phrase is used with chilling irony, transforming a time traditionally associated with joyous worship and covenant celebration into a divinely appointed day of terror, judgment, and destruction. God has "called" this day, indicating His sovereign orchestration of the calamity.
* **swaddled (Hebrew, _ṭâphach'_):** The verb _ṭâphach_ (H2946) means "to flatten out or extend," and figuratively, "to nurse a child" or "swaddle." It evokes the tender, intimate act of a mother caring for her infant, wrapping them securely, symbolizing nurturing, protection, and the promise of future growth. The use of this word emphasizes the profound vulnerability and innocence of the children, making their subsequent consumption by the enemy all the more tragic and horrifying.
* **consumed (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** The verb _kâlâh_ (H3615) is a primitive root meaning "to end," "finish," "perish," or "consume." In this context, it signifies utter destruction, complete annihilation, or termination. The enemy's action of "consuming" the children is depicted as a final, comprehensive act of destruction, leaving nothing remaining. This word powerfully conveys the totality of the devastation and the irreversible loss suffered by Jerusalem.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about":** This clause reveals God's active role in orchestrating the calamity. The "terrors" (Hebrew: _mâgôwr_, H4032, fright/terror) are not random but divinely "called" or summoned, as if for a pre-arranged, significant event. The comparison to a "solemn day" (a fixed, appointed time, often for festivals) highlights the ironic and devastating inversion of what should be a joyous assembly into a gathering of overwhelming dread and destruction.
* **"so that in the day of the LORD'S anger none escaped nor remained":** This clause emphasizes the completeness and inescapability of the judgment. The "day of the LORD'S anger" (Hebrew: _yôwm Yᵉhôvâh 'aph_, H3117, H3068, H639) signifies a specific time of divine reckoning. The phrase "none escaped nor remained" (Hebrew: _pâlîyṭ sârîyd_, H6412, H8300) underscores the thoroughness of the destruction; there were no survivors, no remnants left to carry on, signifying total devastation.
* **"those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed":** This is the most poignant and heartbreaking part of the verse, expressed from the perspective of personified Jerusalem. It laments the fate of the children—those tenderly "swaddled" (nurtured from infancy, H2946) and "brought up" (raised to maturity, H7235). The "enemy" (Hebrew: _ʼôyêb_, H341, adversary) is the instrument of judgment, but the ultimate agency is God's. The verb "consumed" (Hebrew: _kâlâh_, H3615) signifies their utter destruction, highlighting the profound and tragic loss of the nation's future.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 2:22 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of profound sorrow and judgment. **Irony** is central, particularly in the phrase "Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about." A "solemn day" (Hebrew: _mo'ed_) typically refers to a joyous, appointed festival or assembly of worship. Here, God has appointed a "solemn day" for terror and destruction, a chilling inversion of expectation. **Personification** is evident as Jerusalem (or Judah) laments in the first person ("my terrors," "I have swaddled"), giving voice to the collective anguish of the city as a mother grieving her lost children. **Hyperbole** is used to emphasize the totality of the destruction: "none escaped nor remained," suggesting an absolute and complete annihilation, though some did survive into exile. Finally, the verse is saturated with **Pathos**, evoking deep pity and sorrow, especially through the vivid and heartbreaking imagery of "those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed," which highlights the suffering of the most innocent and vulnerable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 2:22 stands as a stark theological declaration of God's absolute sovereignty, even in judgment. It affirms that the calamities befalling Jerusalem were not random acts of war but divinely ordained consequences of covenant infidelity. The "day of the LORD'S anger" underscores God's holiness and justice, revealing that He will not tolerate persistent sin and idolatry within His covenant people. This judgment, though severe, is ultimately an act of divine discipline, designed to bring His people to repentance and a renewed understanding of His righteous character. The suffering of the innocent, particularly the children, highlights the corporate nature of sin and its far-reaching, devastating effects on an entire community.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 13:6-9](/isaiah/13-6 "Isaiah 13:6-9 - The Day of the Lord")
* [Jeremiah 19:9](/jeremiah/19-9 "Jeremiah 19:9 - Eating Their Own Children")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 2:22 serves as a sobering reminder of the profound seriousness of sin and the unwavering justice of God. While the New Covenant establishes a new relationship with God through grace, the principles of His holiness and the consequences of rebellion remain. This verse calls us to a deep introspection about the state of our hearts and communities, urging us to consider whether our lives truly align with God's will. It challenges us to take sin seriously, understanding that it has far-reaching implications beyond individual actions, potentially impacting generations. Furthermore, the lament over the "swaddled and brought up" children compels us to recognize the preciousness of every human life, especially the most vulnerable, and to actively work towards protecting and nurturing them, both physically and spiritually. It should drive us to fervent prayer for those suffering in conflict zones today, and to advocate for justice and peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "solemn day" of terror challenge my understanding of God's sovereignty and judgment?**
* **What specific areas in my life or community might be out of alignment with God's will, and what steps can I take towards repentance and obedience?**
* **How does the suffering of the innocent in this verse inform my prayers and actions regarding current global crises and the protection of vulnerable populations?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the day of the LORD'S anger" in this verse?**

Answer: "The day of the LORD'S anger" (or "Day of the Lord") is a recurring prophetic theme throughout the Old Testament, signifying a specific time when God intervenes decisively in human history to execute judgment, often against His enemies or, as in this case, against His own covenant people for their persistent disobedience. In Lamentations 2:22, it underscores that the destruction of Jerusalem was not merely a geopolitical event but a divine reckoning, a manifestation of God's righteous wrath against the sin and rebellion of Judah. It emphasizes the theological understanding that God is actively involved in history, bringing about consequences for covenant breaking, as foretold in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") and reiterated by prophets like [Isaiah](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - The Day of the Lord").

**Why does the verse specifically mention "those that I have swaddled and brought up"?**

Answer: The mention of "those that I have swaddled and brought up" is profoundly significant because it highlights the most tragic and heartbreaking aspect of the judgment: the suffering and death of innocent children. From the perspective of personified Jerusalem, it represents the loss of the city's future, its hope, and its most vulnerable members. This imagery evokes deep pathos, underscoring the utter devastation and the complete breakdown of society. It also serves as a stark reminder that the consequences of corporate sin can extend to and impact even those who are seemingly innocent, emphasizing the pervasive and destructive nature of rebellion against God. The destruction of the young was a common and horrific outcome of ancient warfare, but here it is presented as a direct result of God's judgment, intensifying the lament.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 2:22, with its depiction of divine wrath and the consumption of the innocent, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "day of the LORD'S anger" that fell upon Jerusalem for its sin was fully absorbed and satisfied in the ultimate "Day" of God's wrath poured out upon His Son on the cross. Jesus, the truly innocent One, became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bearing the full weight of God's righteous judgment that humanity deserved. Where Jerusalem's children were "consumed" by the enemy, Christ was "consumed" by the Father's wrath, allowing those who believe in Him to escape and remain eternally. Through His sacrifice, Jesus established a new covenant where mercy triumphs over judgment for those who trust in Him ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant")). He is the Good Shepherd who gathers His "swaddled and brought up" ones, His beloved children, into His eternal care, ensuring that none of those the Father has given Him will be lost ([John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - None Shall Be Lost")), ultimately reversing the tragic consumption depicted in Lamentations.

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

Jeremiah 6:25

Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy [and] fear [is] on every side.

Psalms 31:13

For I have heard the slander of many: fear [was] on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

Isaiah 24:17

Fear, and the pit, and the snare, [are] upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.

Isaiah 24:18

And it shall come to pass, [that] he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

Jeremiah 16:2

Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place.

Jeremiah 16:4

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Amos 9:1

¶ I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.