Lamentations 2:5

KJV

The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

KJV (with Strong's)

The Lord {H136} was as an enemy {H341}: he hath swallowed up {H1104} Israel {H3478}, he hath swallowed up {H1104} all her palaces {H759}: he hath destroyed {H7843} his strong holds {H4013}, and hath increased {H7235} in the daughter {H1323} of Judah {H3063} mourning {H8386} and lamentation {H592}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Adonai became like an enemy; he swallowed up Isra'el, swallowed up all its palaces, and destroyed all its strongholds. For the daughter of Y'hudah he has multiplied mourning and moaning.

Berean Standard Bible

The Lord is like an enemy; He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah.

American Standard Version

The Lord is become as an enemy, he hath swallowed up Israel; He hath swallowed up all her palaces, he hath destroyed his strongholds; And he hath multiplied in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 2:5 vividly portrays the Lord's direct and devastating judgment upon Jerusalem, depicting Him as an active adversary against His own covenant people. This verse powerfully communicates the complete obliteration of Israel's national identity, the destruction of its symbolic centers of power and security—palaces and strongholds—and the resultant overwhelming surge of national grief and despair for the "daughter of Judah." It starkly underscores the severe, righteous consequences of persistent covenant unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 2 is the second of five acrostic poems, each offering a lament over the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BC. While Chapter 1 personifies Jerusalem as a desolate widow, Chapter 2 shifts the focus dramatically to emphasize the Lord's direct and intentional role in the calamity. The preceding verses detail the fierce intensity of God's anger and His deliberate actions in tearing down, consuming, and casting off His people. Verse 5 specifically highlights the extent of this divine hostility, setting the stage for the subsequent descriptions of profound suffering and the perceived absence of divine help that permeate the remainder of the chapter, culminating in the prophet's desperate plea for God to "look and see" the suffering in [Lamentations 2:20](/lamentations/2-20 "Lamentations 2:20 - A Plea for God to See"). This verse acts as a pivotal declaration of divine agency in the unfolding tragedy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who bore witness to the horrific siege and subsequent fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar. This pivotal event, meticulously documented in historical accounts such as [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"), marked the definitive end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. For the Israelites, the destruction of their sacred city, its royal palaces, and its formidable strongholds was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis. The temple and Jerusalem were considered tangible symbols of God's presence and His unwavering covenant faithfulness. Their obliteration signified the terrifying fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), where disobedience was explicitly warned to lead to national ruin and exile. Within their cultural and theological framework, the concept of divine judgment for sin was deeply ingrained, making the portrayal of God as an "enemy" profoundly shocking yet comprehensible within the context of their covenant relationship.

* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 2:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes that permeate the book. Firstly, **Divine Judgment** is paramount, as the Lord is explicitly depicted as the primary agent of destruction, not merely permitting the catastrophe but actively orchestrating it due to Israel's persistent sin and idolatry, a theme consistently articulated throughout the prophetic books, for instance, in [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon"). Secondly, the theme of **Utter Desolation** is powerfully conveyed through the repeated, visceral imagery of "swallowing up" and "destroying," indicating a complete and irreversible ruin of all that was once secure and glorious. This total destruction extends from the people themselves to their fortified cities and royal residences. Finally, the verse introduces and intensifies the theme of **Profound Grief and Lamentation**, as the "daughter of Judah" is depicted as being overwhelmed by "mourning and lamentation," reflecting the deep national sorrow and despair over their catastrophic loss and humiliation, a common expression of suffering found in passages like [Psalm 137](/psalm/137 "Psalm 137 - By the Rivers of Babylon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **enemy (Hebrew, _ʼôyêb'_):** This term (H341) is an active participle derived from a root meaning "to hate," thus signifying "hating" or "an adversary." Its application to the Lord in this context is profoundly startling, as it describes God Himself acting in a hostile capacity against His own covenant people. This word conveys not merely opposition but an active, aggressive antagonism, underscoring the severity of God's righteous judgment and the complete reversal of His protective role due to Israel's profound unfaithfulness.
* **swallowed up (Hebrew, _bâlaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H1104) means "to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy; cover, devour, eat up, be at end, spend up." The powerful repetition of this verb within the verse underscores the completeness and voracity of the destruction. It paints a vivid, almost grotesque, picture of total consumption, leaving nothing behind. This highlights the overwhelming, irreversible, and comprehensive nature of God's judgment upon the nation of Israel, their palaces, and their strongholds.
* **mourning (Hebrew, _taʼănîyâh'_); lamentation (Hebrew, _ʼănîyâh'_):** These two closely related nouns (H8386 and H592, respectively) both derive from roots meaning "to groan" or "to mourn." Their pairing in the verse serves to emphasize the pervasive and intense sorrow that engulfed the "daughter of Judah." "Mourning" often refers to a deep, internal sorrow or grief, while "lamentation" typically suggests its outward, audible expression—such as wailing, crying, and public displays of grief. The phrase "increased... mourning and lamentation" signifies an exponential, overwhelming, widespread, and ceaseless state of national grief, directly resulting from the divine devastation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The Lord was as an enemy:"** This opening clause is the most shocking and central declaration of the verse. It asserts that God, who had historically been Israel's covenant protector, deliverer, and ally, had now fundamentally reversed His posture and was acting with the hostility and aggression of an adversary. This is not a passive allowance of evil but a direct statement of His active, judicial opposition to His people's persistent sin.
* **"he hath swallowed up Israel,"** Immediately following the declaration of God's hostile posture, this phrase identifies the primary object of His destructive action: the entire nation of Israel, specifically the remnant of Judah. The verb "swallowed up" conveys a sense of total consumption and annihilation, suggesting that the very identity, existence, and corporate life of the people were being consumed by divine wrath.
* **"he hath swallowed up all her palaces:"** The scope of destruction extends beyond the people to encompass the very symbols of their national pride, wealth, and royal power. "Palaces" (H759) refers to royal residences, citadels, and grand structures, indicating that no place of human authority, luxury, or perceived permanence was spared from God's consuming judgment, signifying the complete collapse of the social, political, and economic order.
* **"he hath destroyed his strong holds,"** This clause further emphasizes the totality and thoroughness of the devastation. "Strong holds" (H4013) refers to fortifications, castles, or fortified cities—structures meticulously designed for defense and security. The significant detail that God "destroyed *his* strong holds" implies that these defenses, which might have been seen as human sources of security or even defiance against God, were ultimately under God's sovereign control and were dismantled by Him, demonstrating His absolute dominion over all human endeavors, even those built for protection.
* **"and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation."** The final clause describes the overwhelming and pervasive consequence of this divine judgment: an exponential and widespread increase in sorrow, grief, and audible lament among the people. "The daughter of Judah" (H1323, H3063) is a common poetic personification of the people of Judah. The "increased" (H7235) mourning and lamentation (H8386, H592) signify a pervasive, profound, and inescapable state of national grief, a direct and inescapable result of the utter destruction and loss inflicted by God's judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 2:5 masterfully employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message of divine judgment and utter devastation. The most striking is **Personification**, where the Lord is depicted as an "enemy," an active, hostile figure engaged in destructive acts rather than a passive observer. This bold imagery profoundly underscores the direct, intentional, and personal nature of God's judgment. **Hyperbole** is evident in the repeated phrase "swallowed up," which suggests a complete and utter consumption, far beyond mere military defeat, emphasizing the totality and irreversible nature of the destruction. The powerful **Repetition** of "he hath swallowed up" creates a relentless, almost suffocating rhythm that mirrors the relentless and pervasive nature of the judgment, reinforcing the idea of comprehensive ruin. Finally, vivid **Imagery** is used throughout, painting a stark and visceral picture of desolation: the once-proud palaces and seemingly impregnable strongholds are consumed, leading to a landscape overwhelmed by pervasive "mourning and lamentation." This allows the reader to viscerally experience the profound grief, despair, and humiliation of the "daughter of Judah."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 2:5 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's justice and the severe consequences of persistent covenant disobedience. It challenges any simplistic or one-sided view of God as solely benevolent, revealing His capacity for righteous wrath and judicial action when His people stubbornly rebel against His commands and violate their sacred covenant obligations. The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that even national calamities are not outside His control but are, in fact, instruments of His divine purpose and judgment. It serves as a stark and sobering reminder that privilege—being God's chosen people—does not exempt one from accountability; indeed, it often increases it. The profound suffering depicted is presented as a direct, painful result of a broken relationship with a holy God, ultimately intended to bring about deep repentance and a necessary return to faithfulness.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 63:10](/isaiah/63-10 "God as an Enemy to Rebellious Israel")
* [Jeremiah 2:19](/jeremiah/2-19 "Your Own Wickedness Will Punish You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 2:5 challenges contemporary believers to confront the profound seriousness of sin and the unwavering justice of God. In an age that often exclusively emphasizes God's love and mercy, this verse serves as a potent reminder that He is also a God of absolute holiness, righteousness, and unyielding justice who holds His people accountable. For believers today, it functions as a solemn warning against spiritual complacency, the insidious nature of idolatry, and any form of unfaithfulness to God's covenant. It calls us to engage in a rigorous self-examination of our own lives, our families, our churches, and our nations for areas where we might be subtly or overtly rebelling against God's revealed will. True repentance, which involves acknowledging God's sovereignty even in the midst of suffering, confessing sin, and earnestly seeking His mercy, is the appropriate and necessary response. Furthermore, this passage helps us to understand that suffering, even that which appears to originate from God's hand, can be a painful but ultimately necessary means of divine discipline, intended to draw us back into a right, humble, and dependent relationship with Him, fostering spiritual growth and renewed faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the portrayal of "The Lord as an enemy" challenge or deepen your understanding of God's multifaceted character?**
* **In what specific ways might we, individually or corporately, be "swallowing up" or destroying our spiritual strongholds through disobedience or misplaced trust today?**
* **What profound lessons does this verse impart regarding the consequences of persistent sin and the indispensable importance of genuine repentance and reconciliation with God?**

### FAQ
**Why would God act as an "enemy" towards His own people?**

Answer: The portrayal of God as an "enemy" in [Lamentations 2:5](/lamentations/2-5 "Lamentations 2:5 - The Lord as an Enemy") is a shocking but crucial theological statement that underscores the conditional nature of God's covenant relationship with Israel. When Israel persistently broke the covenant through idolatry, injustice, and rebellion, as extensively detailed throughout the prophetic books (e.g., [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon")), God, in His perfect holiness and justice, was compelled to bring about the curses He had explicitly warned of in the covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). His actions were not arbitrary malice but a righteous judgment and a disciplinary measure, ultimately intended to bring His people to repentance and restore their relationship with Him, even through severe suffering. It powerfully illustrates that God's unwavering love does not negate His absolute justice.

**What is meant by "the daughter of Judah"?**

Answer: "The daughter of Judah" (H1323, H3063) is a common poetic and personified term frequently used in the Old Testament, referring to the people or the land of Judah. It is often employed as a tender yet tragic way to speak of the nation, evoking a sense of vulnerability, sorrow, or lament. In [Lamentations 2:5](/lamentations/2-5 "Lamentations 2:5 - The Lord as an Enemy"), it specifically refers to the inhabitants of the southern kingdom of Judah, particularly those in Jerusalem, who were experiencing the profound grief, devastation, and humiliation caused by the Babylonian conquest and God's righteous judgment. This personification makes the national suffering more immediate, relatable, and poignant, as if the entire nation is a grieving woman.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 2:5, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment and the "swallowing up" of Israel's strength and security, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a repetition of such judgment for believers, but in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "enemy" God became for His people due to their pervasive sin is the very God who, in the person of Jesus, absorbed that enmity and judgment Himself. On the cross, Jesus became "sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), effectively bearing the full weight of the divine wrath that humanity justly deserved. He was "swallowed up" by death and the grave, descending into the depths of human suffering, only to triumph gloriously over them through His resurrection, offering a new covenant where the "mourning and lamentation" of sin and judgment can be transformed into eternal hope, profound joy, and lasting peace. Through Christ's perfect sacrifice, the "strongholds" of sin, death, and the power of the enemy are utterly destroyed, and a new spiritual "Israel"—the Church—is built, not on perishable human strength or earthly palaces, but on the unshakeable, eternal foundation of His resurrection and apostolic teaching ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets")). Thus, the lament of Judah's destruction points forward to the ultimate 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")), offering reconciliation, redemption, and eternal life where judgment once reigned supreme.

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 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.

Jeremiah 30:14

All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; [because] thy sins were increased.

Lamentations 2:4

He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all [that were] pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.

2 Kings 25:9

And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great [man's] house burnt he with fire.

Jeremiah 52:13

And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great [men], burned he with fire:

2 Chronicles 36:16

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

2 Chronicles 36:17

Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand.