Lamentations 2:3

He hath cut off in [his] fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, [which] devoureth round about.

He hath cut off {H1438} in his fierce {H2750} anger {H639} all the horn {H7161} of Israel {H3478}: he hath drawn {H7725} back {H268} his right hand {H3225} from before {H6440} the enemy {H341}, and he burned {H1197} against Jacob {H3290} like a flaming {H3852} fire {H784}, which devoureth {H398} round about {H5439}.

In his fierce anger he cut off all the power of Isra'el, withdrew his protecting right hand at the approach of the enemy, and blazed up in Ya'akov like a flaming fire devouring everything around it.

In fierce anger He has cut off every horn of Israel and withdrawn His right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it.

He hath cut off in fierce anger all the horn of Israel; He hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy: And he hath burned up Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.

Commentary

Lamentations 2:3 provides a vivid and somber depiction of God's intense judgment upon Israel, illustrating the devastating consequences of their persistent disobedience and rebellion against His covenant.

Context

The Book of Lamentations is a poetic elegy, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonian army in 586 BC. This period marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. The author grapples with the immense suffering and desolation, acknowledging that this calamity was not merely an act of war but a direct and righteous judgment from God. Verses like Lamentations 2:3 emphasize God's active role in allowing and orchestrating the destruction, a fulfillment of the warnings given to Israel centuries earlier in the Mosaic Law, such as those found in Deuteronomy 28.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Fierce Anger: The phrase "He hath cut off in his fierce anger" immediately attributes the devastation to God's righteous wrath. The intensity of this divine anger is further described as "a flaming fire, which devoureth round about," signifying a complete, consuming, and inescapable judgment. This emphasizes that Israel's suffering was a direct consequence of their sin and idolatry, not a random misfortune.
  • Loss of Strength and Protection: "All the horn of Israel" refers to the nation's strength, power, and glory. In biblical imagery, the "horn" often symbolizes power and dignity, like that of a mighty bull. Its removal signifies the complete dismantling of Israel's national might, independence, and pride. Moreover, God's act of having "drawn back his right hand from before the enemy" is a powerful metaphor. The "right hand" of God often represents His power, protection, and blessing. Its withdrawal vividly portrays God's deliberate removal of His divine protection, leaving His people utterly vulnerable and defenseless against their foes. This highlights that their defeat was not solely due to the enemy's military might, but God's intentional removal of His shielding presence, as seen in instances of God's protective hand like Psalm 121:5.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse serves as a stark reminder that God is holy and just. Persistent rebellion against His covenant and His commands inevitably leads to severe consequences. This theme is consistent with prophetic warnings throughout the Old Testament, such as those delivered by Jeremiah himself, seen in Jeremiah 25:8-11.

Linguistic Insights

  • The "horn" (Hebrew: keren) is a rich biblical metaphor, frequently used to denote strength, power, and dignity, often associated with kings, nations, or even individual prowess. Its "cutting off" signifies utter humiliation, loss of status, and destruction of national identity.
  • The "right hand" is a common anthropomorphism, attributing human characteristics to God to describe His active power, strength, and direct intervention, whether in blessing, deliverance, or judgment. Its "drawing back" indicates a deliberate cessation of divine aid and protection.

Practical Application

Lamentations 2:3, though set in a specific historical context of judgment, offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. While we live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, this verse still underscores that God is just and righteous. It calls us to:

  • Reverence and Repentance: To treat God's commands with utmost seriousness and to be quick to repent of sin, understanding that persistent disobedience can lead to severe spiritual consequences.
  • Dependence on God: To recognize that all true strength, protection, and prosperity ultimately come from God. When He withdraws His hand, even the mightiest are vulnerable. This should foster humility and a deep reliance on Him for all things.
  • Understanding God's Nature: To appreciate God's unwavering justice alongside His mercy, understanding that both are integral to His character.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 74:11 (5 votes)

    Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck [it] out of thy bosom.

  • Psalms 75:10 (4 votes)

    All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; [but] the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

  • Isaiah 42:25 (4 votes)

    Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid [it] not to heart.

  • Psalms 75:5 (4 votes)

    Lift not up your horn on high: speak [not with] a stiff neck.

  • Jeremiah 48:25 (3 votes)

    The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

  • Psalms 89:46 (3 votes)

    How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

  • Psalms 79:5 (3 votes)

    How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?