Lamentations 2:8

The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.

The LORD {H3068} hath purposed {H2803} to destroy {H7843} the wall {H2346} of the daughter {H1323} of Zion {H6726}: he hath stretched out {H5186} a line {H6957}, he hath not withdrawn {H7725} his hand {H3027} from destroying {H1104}: therefore he made the rampart {H2426} and the wall {H2346} to lament {H56}; they languished {H535} together {H3162}.

ADONAI resolved to destroy the wall of the daughter of Tziyon. He measured it with his line and did not stay his hand until it was all in ruins. He brought grief to rampart and wall; together they lie dejected.

The LORD determined to destroy the wall of the Daughter of Zion. He stretched out a measuring line and did not withdraw His hand from destroying. He made the ramparts and walls lament; together they waste away.

Jehovah hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion; He hath stretched out the line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying; And he hath made the rampart and wall to lament; they languish together.

Commentary

Lamentations 2:8 (KJV) offers a poignant and stark image of Jerusalem's utter destruction, emphasizing God's direct and deliberate involvement in the tragedy. This verse is part of a book written in the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest and the razing of the holy city, a time of profound national grief and despair.

Context

The book of Lamentations serves as a funeral dirge for Jerusalem, often personified as the "daughter of Zion," after its fall to Nebuchadnezzar's forces in 586 BC. The city's walls, once symbols of its strength and divine protection, lay in ruins. This verse specifically highlights that this catastrophe was not a random act of war but a direct fulfillment of God's declared judgment against His people for their persistent sin and idolatry. The prophet Jeremiah, traditionally associated with Lamentations, had long warned of these impending consequences (see Jeremiah 25:9-11).

Key Themes

  • Divine Purpose in Judgment: The phrase "The LORD hath purposed to destroy" underscores God's active will behind Jerusalem's devastation. It was not mere human conflict but a divine decree. This emphasizes God's sovereignty even in judgment, a concept found throughout prophetic literature (Isaiah 14:24).
  • Calculated Destruction: "He hath stretched out a line" portrays the destruction as precise and measured, like an architect laying out a building or a demolition expert marking a structure. This suggests God's judgment was not chaotic but orderly and just, ensuring the full measure of punishment was meted out.
  • Unwavering Resolve: "He hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying" conveys God's firm and unyielding commitment to execute His judgment once purposed. There was no relenting or turning back from the path of destruction.
  • Profound Desolation: The personification of "the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together" powerfully expresses the depth of sorrow and ruin. Even the inanimate structures are depicted as mourning, highlighting the complete and overwhelming nature of Jerusalem's fall. This imagery conveys the widespread suffering and despair that gripped the city's inhabitants.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "line" (qav, Χ§Χ•) typically refers to a measuring line used by builders. However, in prophetic contexts, it can also signify a line for destruction, marking out what is to be demolished or dividing up territory for ruin. This dual meaning emphasizes the deliberate, almost architectural precision with which God carried out His judgment against His own city.

Practical Application

Lamentations 2:8 reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God's righteous judgment. While we live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, this verse still serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and His commitment to justice. It encourages believers to:

  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: Even in difficult or tragic circumstances, God remains sovereign and purposeful.
  • Take Sin Seriously: The consequences of persistent disobedience can be severe, even for those who are called by God's name.
  • Seek Repentance and Reconciliation: The ultimate hope in Lamentations, though found later in the book (Lamentations 3:22-23), stems from turning back to God.

The lament of the walls themselves underscores the immense grief and desolation that sin brings, urging us to live in alignment with God's will.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 21:13

    And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down.

  • Isaiah 3:26

    And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she [being] desolate shall sit upon the ground.

  • Isaiah 34:11

    But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.

  • Jeremiah 14:2

    Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

  • Jeremiah 5:10

    ΒΆ Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they [are] not the LORD'S.

  • Amos 7:7

    Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall [made] by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

  • Amos 7:8

    And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
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