5:1 5:1

Lamentations 5:2

5:3 5:3

Bible Versions

Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
Our inheritance {H5159} is turned {H2015} to strangers {H2114}, our houses {H1004} to aliens {H5237}.
The land we possessed has been passed on to strangers, our homes to foreigners.
Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners.
Our inheritance is turned unto strangers, Our houses unto aliens.

Commentary on Lamentations 5:2

Lamentations 5:2 is a poignant cry from the people of Judah, expressing the profound loss and devastation experienced after the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian exile. This verse encapsulates the sorrow of a nation dispossessed, their most fundamental possessions — their land and homes — seized by foreign invaders.

Context

The Book of Lamentations is a collection of five poetic laments, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC at the hands of the Babylonians. Chapter 5, distinct from the acrostic structure of the preceding chapters, serves as a communal prayer or petition, pleading with God amidst the overwhelming suffering. This particular verse reflects the dire reality faced by the survivors: their land, which was their divine inheritance promised by God, and their personal dwellings had been taken over by those who had no rightful claim. This was a direct consequence of their disobedience and idolatry, leading to God's judgment as prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11).

Key Themes

  • Loss and Dispossession: The verse vividly portrays the complete stripping away of property and identity. The land, a cornerstone of Israel's covenant relationship with God, was lost, signifying a profound spiritual and national crisis.
  • Foreign Occupation: The terms "strangers" and "aliens" underscore the painful reality of foreign domination. The rightful owners were displaced, and their sacred land was defiled by those who did not worship Yahweh.
  • Consequences of Sin: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire book of Lamentations, and indeed the broader prophetic narrative, frames this devastation as the result of Judah's persistent sin and rebellion against God, leading to divine judgment (Lamentations 1:8).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "strangers" (zarim) and "aliens" (nokrim) are used almost synonymously here to emphasize the foreign, non-Israelite nature of the occupiers. Zarim often refers to those who are outside the community or covenant, while nokrim specifically denotes foreigners or non-nationals. The pairing intensifies the sense of intrusion and illegitimacy of the new occupants, highlighting the complete reversal of fortune for God's people.

Practical Application

Lamentations 5:2 serves as a sobering reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Seriousness of Disobedience: The plight of Judah illustrates the severe consequences that can arise from persistent turning away from God's commands. While we may not face literal land confiscation, spiritual disobedience can lead to loss of peace, joy, and spiritual inheritance.
  • Stewardship: It highlights the importance of understanding that all we possess, including our homes and resources, are ultimately gifts from God. We are called to be faithful stewards of these blessings, not ultimate owners.
  • Hope Beyond Despair: Despite the profound despair expressed in this verse and throughout Lamentations, the book also contains glimpses of hope for God's mercy and restoration (Lamentations 3:22-23). Even in the deepest valleys, faith can look forward to God's ultimate faithfulness and the promise of a renewed future.
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.

  • Zephaniah 1:13

    Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

  • Isaiah 1:7

    Your country [is] desolate, your cities [are] burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and [it is] desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

  • Psalms 79:1

    ¶ A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

  • Psalms 79:2

    The dead bodies of thy servants have they given [to be] meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

  • Deuteronomy 28:30

    Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.

  • Deuteronomy 28:68

    And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].

  • Isaiah 63:18

    The people of thy holiness have possessed [it] but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
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