Lamentations 2:9

KJV

Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes [are] among the Gentiles: the law [is] no [more]; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Her gates {H8179} are sunk {H2883} into the ground {H776}; he hath destroyed {H6} and broken {H7665} her bars {H1280}: her king {H4428} and her princes {H8269} are among the Gentiles {H1471}: the law {H8451} is no more; her prophets {H5030} also find {H4672} no vision {H2377} from the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Her gates have sunk into the ground; he destroyed and broke their bars. Her king and rulers are among the Goyim, there is no more Torah, and her prophets do not receive visions from ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Her gates have sunk into the ground; He has destroyed and shattered their bars. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and even her prophets find no vision from the LORD.

American Standard Version

Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: Her king and her princes are among the nations where the law is not; Yea, her prophets find no vision from Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 2:9 vividly portrays the multifaceted devastation of Jerusalem, lamenting not only the physical destruction of its fortifications and the loss of national sovereignty through the exile of its leadership, but also, most profoundly, the cessation of divine communication. This verse encapsulates the utter despair and spiritual barrenness experienced by Judah, where the very structures of protection, governance, and divine guidance have collapsed, leaving the people in a state of profound silence from God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 2:9 is strategically placed within the second chapter of Lamentations, a collection of five poignant laments mourning the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC by the Babylonian forces. Chapter 2 specifically intensifies the portrayal of divine judgment, attributing the calamity directly to the LORD's fierce anger and active hand in bringing about the desolation. The preceding verses detail the LORD's relentless fury, His throwing down of Judah's strongholds, and His rejection of His own sanctuary, setting a grim stage for the specific losses enumerated in verse 9. This verse marks a progression from general devastation to the precise dismantling of the city's defenses, the humiliation of its leadership, and, most critically, the severing of its spiritual connection to God, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive and devastating nature of the divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Lamentations 2:9 is the brutal Babylonian siege and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, an event that irrevocably altered the course of Israelite history. This catastrophe marked the definitive end of the Davidic monarchy, the razing of the revered Temple, and the forced exile of a significant portion of the population to Babylon. In the ancient Near East, city gates and their reinforcing bars were far more than mere physical barriers; they were potent symbols of a city's strength, autonomy, and identity. Their destruction signified complete conquest, humiliation, and the absolute loss of sovereignty. The phrase "king and her princes are among the Gentiles" refers to the forced deportation of Judah's royalty and nobility, including King Zedekiah, to foreign lands, signifying the ultimate loss of national independence and self-governance. Furthermore, for ancient Israel, the "law" (Torah) and the "prophets" served as the primary, divinely ordained conduits of revelation, instruction, and guidance, integral to the nation's covenant relationship with God. The cessation of these vital spiritual lifelines meant a profound spiritual crisis, a perceived withdrawal of God's active presence and His living word.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 2:9 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book and the broader prophetic corpus. It serves as a stark illustration of **Divine Judgment**, portraying the LORD's direct and severe hand in punishing His people for their persistent and unrepentant disobedience, as warned in passages like [the covenant curses in Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The verse vividly underscores the theme of **Desolation and Loss**, detailing the complete collapse of physical security, national sovereignty, and spiritual vitality. The imagery of "gates sunk into the ground" and "broken bars" conveys utter vulnerability, while the exile of leadership highlights the profound loss of national identity and dignity. Most critically, the declaration that "the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD" emphasizes a devastating **Spiritual Famine**, where God's voice, once abundant and clear, has seemingly fallen silent, reflecting a profound consequence of covenant unfaithfulness, echoing the severe warnings found in [Amos 8:11-12](/amos/8-11-12 "Amos 8:11-12 - A Famine of Hearing the Words of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bars (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyach'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to bolt" or "to flee," this term refers to a physical bolt or bar used to secure gates. Its destruction in Lamentations 2:9 signifies the complete breaching of Jerusalem's defenses, rendering the city utterly vulnerable and exposed. This imagery powerfully underscores the total collapse of the city's physical security and its inability to protect itself.
* **Gentiles (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** This word refers to a foreign nation or people, often carrying the connotation of non-Israelite, and frequently, heathen. The phrase "king and her princes are among the Gentiles" describes the ultimate humiliation of Judah's leadership being taken captive and exiled to foreign lands. This signifies a complete loss of sovereignty, dignity, and national identity, as the divinely appointed rulers are now subject to the authority of pagan powers.
* **vision (Hebrew, _châzôwn'_):** From the verb "to see," this noun specifically denotes a prophetic sight, a revelation, or an oracle directly from God. Its absence signifies the cessation of direct divine communication through the prophets. This profound spiritual silence leaves the people without guidance, comfort, or understanding of God's will, compounding their physical suffering with a devastating sense of abandonment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Her gates are sunk into the ground":** This clause paints a vivid picture of the utter destruction of Jerusalem's primary defenses. The gates, which were symbols of strength, security, and controlled access, are not merely damaged but have collapsed so completely that they appear to have merged with the very earth. This imagery conveys an irreversible and profound level of ruin, signifying the city's absolute vulnerability and defeat.
* **"he hath destroyed and broken her bars":** Following the imagery of the gates, the destruction of the "bars" further emphasizes the complete dismantling of the city's protective mechanisms. These bars, used to secure the gates from within, represent the final, crucial layer of defense. Their destruction indicates that no means of protection remains, reinforcing the city's defenseless state and highlighting the overwhelming power of the destroyer, implicitly the LORD's judgment.
* **"her king and her princes are among the Gentiles":** This clause shifts the focus from physical destruction to the profound political and social collapse. It speaks to the capture and forced exile of Judah's royalty and nobility. Being "among the Gentiles" signifies a devastating loss of sovereignty, dignity, and national identity, as the leaders are now stripped of their authority and subjected to foreign rule, a profound humiliation for a people whose kings were meant to embody God's rule on earth.
* **"the law is no more":** This poignant phrase does not imply the literal disappearance of the written Torah scrolls, but rather the shattering of the authoritative application, public instruction, and the societal framework that upheld God's law. With the Temple destroyed, the priesthood scattered, and the king exiled, the covenant order that defined Israel's relationship with God has been profoundly disrupted, leading to a state of moral and spiritual anarchy in the absence of its guiding principles and institutions.
* **"her prophets also find no vision from the LORD":** This final clause highlights the most devastating spiritual consequence: the cessation of direct divine communication. Prophets were God's designated spokespersons, delivering His messages, warnings, and comfort to the nation. The inability to "find vision from the LORD" signifies a profound spiritual silence, leaving the people bereft of divine guidance, hope, or understanding in their deepest hour of need, indicating a period of God's apparent withdrawal due a broken covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 2:9 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the overwhelming depth of Jerusalem's devastation and despair. **Personification** is prominently used through the repeated possessive pronoun "her" ("Her gates," "her bars," "her king," "her prophets"), treating the city of Jerusalem as a grieving woman who has suffered immense, personal loss and humiliation. This device evokes profound empathy and makes the suffering tangible and relatable. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "Her gates are sunk into the ground," an exaggeration that emphasizes the absolute and irreversible nature of the destruction, suggesting a depth of ruin far beyond mere collapse. The declaration that "the law is no more" employs **Metonymy**, where "the law" stands in for the entire covenant order, its institutions, and its authoritative application, implying the collapse of the entire spiritual and societal framework that once governed Israel. Finally, **Symbolism** is pervasive throughout the verse: the "gates and bars" symbolize security and defense, their destruction representing utter vulnerability and exposure. The "king and princes" symbolize national sovereignty, leadership, and divine order. Most significantly, "vision from the LORD" symbolizes direct divine communication and guidance, its absence signifying spiritual abandonment and a terrifying silence from God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 2:9 profoundly articulates the severe consequences of covenant disobedience, demonstrating how God's judgment can manifest in the complete dismantling of a nation's physical security, its established leadership, and, most agonizingly, its spiritual connection to Him. The silence of God, once a vibrant source of comfort, direction, and prophetic insight, becomes a terrifying reality, underscoring the gravity of Israel's unfaithfulness. This verse serves as a stark reminder that true security and flourishing are ultimately dependent on a vibrant, obedient relationship with the LORD, maintained through attentiveness to His law and His voice. When a people persistently rejects God's guidance and spurns His covenant, even His direct communication can cease, leaving them in a profound spiritual void that compounds their physical suffering.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Amos 8:11-12](/amos/8-11-12 "Amos 8:11-12 - A Famine of Hearing the Words of the Lord")
* [Ezekiel 7:26](/ezekiel/7-26 "Ezekiel 7:26 - Distress and Despair")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 2:9 offers a sobering and profound reflection on the consequences of spiritual decline and corporate disobedience. It challenges contemporary believers and communities to critically examine the foundations of their own security and guidance. Do we primarily rely on physical safeguards, human ingenuity, and political leadership, or do we truly depend on God's revealed word and His active, guiding presence? The lament that "the law is no more" and "no vision from the LORD" serves as a stark warning against spiritual apathy, a casual disregard for divine instruction, and a failure to seek God's face. In a world fraught with uncertainty, the temptation to seek answers and security apart from God is ever-present. This verse calls us to cultivate a vibrant, listening relationship with the LORD, diligently studying His word, engaging in fervent prayer, and seeking the discerning guidance of the Holy Spirit, lest we experience a similar spiritual famine in our individual lives or collective communities. It reminds us that true prosperity and well-being are not merely the absence of external threats but are fundamentally rooted in the presence of God's guiding voice and the upholding of His righteous standards.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my personal life or our community might we be relying more on human structures and less on God's divine guidance and protection?**
* **How can I personally ensure that "the law" (God's word) is not "no more" in my life, but rather a living and active guide for daily decisions and spiritual formation?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a deeper spiritual sensitivity, ensuring I "find vision from the LORD" and am not experiencing a self-imposed spiritual silence?**
* **What are the potential consequences, both personal and communal, of neglecting God's word and the prophetic voice (through Scripture and the Spirit) in our contemporary context?**

### FAQ
**Does "the law is no more" mean the Torah was literally destroyed or forgotten?**

Answer: No, "the law is no more" does not mean the written Torah (the Pentateuch) was literally destroyed or forgotten. Instead, it signifies the collapse of the entire system and structures that upheld, taught, and enforced the law. This includes the destruction of the Temple, the exile of the priesthood and king, and the disruption of daily life that made regular observance and instruction of the law impossible. It speaks to the breakdown of the covenant order and the authoritative application of God's statutes within the nation, leading to a state where the law's practical influence and public instruction were effectively nullified. The people were left without the societal framework that integrated God's commands into their communal life, as lamented in [Psalm 74:9](/psalm/74-9 "Psalm 74:9 - No More Prophetic Signs").

**Why would God cease to give "vision from the LORD" to His prophets?**

Answer: The cessation of "vision from the LORD" to the prophets was a severe form of divine judgment, indicating a period of God's apparent withdrawal due to Israel's persistent and unrepentant sin. Throughout their history, God had consistently communicated His will, warnings, and comfort through His prophets. When the people repeatedly ignored these messages, rejected His covenant, and turned to idolatry, God's silence became a direct consequence, a spiritual famine (as seen in [Amos 8:11](/amos/8-11 "Amos 8:11 - A Famine of Hearing the Words of the Lord")). It served to underscore the gravity of their rebellion and the brokenness of their relationship with Him, leaving them without the divine guidance they had spurned. This silence was not permanent but a disciplinary measure, intended to bring about repentance and a renewed longing for God's voice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 2:9, with its poignant depiction of broken defenses, exiled leadership, and the agonizing silence of God's prophetic voice, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While Judah experienced the cessation of the old covenant's structures and direct prophetic revelation, Christ inaugurates a new and living way, providing ultimate answers to these laments. The "gates sunk into the ground" and "broken bars" of Jerusalem speak to a vulnerability that finds its ultimate answer in Christ, who is our true "strong tower" and an impregnable "refuge" for all who trust in Him ([Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower")). The exile of "king and princes among the Gentiles" foreshadows the ultimate King, Jesus, who, though rejected by His own people, was indeed "delivered over to the Gentiles" ([Matthew 20:19](/matthew/20-19 "Matthew 20:19 - Jesus Predicts His Death")) to suffer and die. Yet, His kingdom is not of this world, but eternal and universal ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")), gathering people from every nation. Most significantly, the lament that "the law is no more" and "her prophets also find no vision from the LORD" is decisively overcome in Christ. He is the **fulfillment of the Law** ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), embodying its righteousness perfectly and providing the means for its true internalization through the New Covenant, where God's law is written on hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Moreover, Jesus is the **ultimate Prophet**, the very "Word of God made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1:14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), through whom God has spoken His final and complete revelation to humanity in these last days ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). The spiritual silence lamented in Lamentations is shattered by the resounding voice of Christ, who continues to speak through His indwelling Spirit and His inspired written Word, offering not a temporary vision but an enduring, living relationship with God.

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

Ezekiel 7:26

Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.

Hosea 3:4

For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and [without] teraphim:

Nehemiah 1:3

And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province [are] in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also [is] broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

2 Chronicles 15:3

Now for a long season Israel [hath been] without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

Micah 3:6

Therefore night [shall be] unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.

Micah 3:7

Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for [there is] no answer of God.

Amos 8:11

¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: