Lamentations 2:5

The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

The Lord {H136} was as an enemy {H341}: he hath swallowed up {H1104} Israel {H3478}, he hath swallowed up {H1104} all her palaces {H759}: he hath destroyed {H7843} his strong holds {H4013}, and hath increased {H7235} in the daughter {H1323} of Judah {H3063} mourning {H8386} and lamentation {H592}.

Adonai became like an enemy; he swallowed up Isra'el, swallowed up all its palaces, and destroyed all its strongholds. For the daughter of Y'hudah he has multiplied mourning and moaning.

The Lord is like an enemy; He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah.

The Lord is become as an enemy, he hath swallowed up Israel; He hath swallowed up all her palaces, he hath destroyed his strongholds; And he hath multiplied in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

Commentary

Commentary on Lamentations 2:5 (KJV)

Lamentations 2:5 paints a stark and devastating picture of Jerusalem's destruction, emphasizing God's direct role in the calamity. This verse is part of a series of laments that mourn the utter ruin of the city and its people after the Babylonian conquest.

Context

The book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC. This particular chapter focuses on the severe suffering and the desolation of the city, attributing it not merely to an external enemy, but to the righteous judgment of God. The people of Judah had consistently rebelled against God, engaging in idolatry and social injustice, leading to the fulfillment of covenant curses warned about in passages like Deuteronomy 28. The historical account of this devastation can be found in 2 Kings 25.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The shocking phrase "The Lord was as an enemy" underscores that God Himself was the primary agent behind the destruction. This was not a random act of war, but a deliberate act of divine justice against His disobedient people. It reveals the seriousness with which God views sin and covenant unfaithfulness.
  • Utter Devastation: The repeated phrase "he hath swallowed up" (Israel, her palaces) and "he hath destroyed his strong holds" conveys a sense of total and irreversible ruin. Nothing was sparedโ€”the people, the royal residences, and even the fortified defenses that might have offered protection. This imagery highlights the complete and overwhelming nature of God's judgment.
  • Profound Grief: The increase in "mourning and lamentation" signifies the overwhelming sorrow and despair that engulfed the "daughter of Judah." It speaks to a nation utterly broken, experiencing deep and widespread grief over their losses and the humiliation of their defeat.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "swallowed up" (ื‘ืœืข, bala) is a powerful verb meaning to consume, engulf, or utterly destroy. It paints a vivid picture of complete absorption, leaving nothing behind. The terms "mourning" (ืชืื ื™ื”, ta'aniyah) and "lamentation" (ืื ื™ื”, aniyah) are closely related and often used together to describe deep, audible expressions of grief, including wailing, groaning, and public displays of profound sorrow. Their combined use emphasizes the pervasive and intense suffering experienced by the people.

Practical Application

Lamentations 2:5 serves as a solemn warning and a profound lesson for all generations. It reminds us of the severe consequences of persistent disobedience and the unwavering justice of God. While God is merciful and compassionate, He is also righteous and holds His people accountable for their actions. This verse encourages introspection and repentance, urging us to examine our own lives and communities for areas of unfaithfulness.

Even in the midst of such a bleak portrayal, the book of Lamentations also holds seeds of hope, reminding us that God's mercies are new every morning, even when judgment is enacted (Lamentations 3:22-23). This passage underscores the importance of acknowledging God's sovereignty, even in suffering, and seeking His mercy through repentance and humility.

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

Cross-References

  • Lamentations 2:2 (5 votes)

    The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought [them] down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof.

  • Jeremiah 30:14 (4 votes)

    All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; [because] thy sins were increased.

  • Lamentations 2:4 (3 votes)

    He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all [that were] pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.

  • 2 Kings 25:9 (3 votes)

    And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great [man's] house burnt he with fire.

  • Jeremiah 52:13 (3 votes)

    And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great [men], burned he with fire:

  • 2 Chronicles 36:16 (2 votes)

    But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:17 (2 votes)

    Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand.