Lamentations 2:9

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Lamentations 2:9 vividly portrays the utter devastation that befell Jerusalem and Judah during the Babylonian conquest, acting as a lament over the loss of physical security, national sovereignty, and, most profoundly, divine communication.

Context of Lamentations 2:9

This verse is part of the book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the tragic destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The book is a poetic expression of profound grief and sorrow over the catastrophic consequences of Judah's persistent sin and God's resultant judgment. Chapter 2 specifically focuses on the LORD's direct hand in the calamity, emphasizing the extent of the suffering and ruin inflicted upon the city and its people. This verse captures the depth of their despair as all familiar structures of protection, leadership, and spiritual guidance crumbled.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Utter Desolation: The imagery of "Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars" speaks to the complete collapse of Jerusalem's defenses. Gates and bars symbolized security and strength for ancient cities, their destruction signifying utter defeat and vulnerability.
  • Loss of National Sovereignty: "Her king and her princes are among the Gentiles" highlights the end of Judah's independent monarchy and the forced exile of its leadership. This was a direct fulfillment of warnings given for disobedience, leading to a loss of national identity and autonomy. For instance, King Zedekiah was captured and exiled to Babylon, along with many nobles.
  • Spiritual Barrenness: The most poignant part of the verse is "the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD." This doesn't mean the written Torah ceased to exist, but rather that its public instruction, authoritative application, and the very system that upheld it (Temple, priesthood, king) were shattered. More significantly, the cessation of prophetic vision meant a profound spiritual silence. God, who had consistently spoken to His people through prophets, seemed to have withdrawn His direct communication, leaving them without divine guidance or comfort. This reflects a severe spiritual famine, as also warned in Amos 8:11.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "no vision from the LORD" uses the Hebrew word chazon (Χ—ΦΈΧ–Χ•ΦΉΧŸ), which specifically refers to a prophetic revelation or oracle. Its absence signifies that the traditional means by which God communicated His will and future plans to His people had ceased. This was a devastating blow to a nation whose identity and direction were so closely tied to divine revelation through prophets.

Practical Application

Lamentations 2:9 serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of persistent disobedience and spiritual rebellion against God. It underscores:

  • The importance of heeding God's word and maintaining a vibrant spiritual connection, lest His voice become silent in our lives or communities.
  • The value of spiritual leadership that upholds God's law and seeks His prophetic guidance.
  • That even in the darkest times of judgment and desolation, God's ultimate purpose and eventual restoration remain, though not explicitly stated in this particular verse, it is a broader theme of hope woven throughout the prophetic books and later realized in the new covenant.

This verse calls us to reflect on our own spiritual state and our reliance on divine guidance in a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain.

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

  • 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

    ΒΆ 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:
← Back