Lamentations

Lamentations front

Introduction to Lamentations

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of Lamentations

1. First lament: Yahweh and his people have abandoned Jerusalem (1:1–22)
2. Second lament: Yahweh was angry with Jerusalem and caused it to be destroyed (2:1–22)
3. Third lament (3:1–66)
   • The people grieve (3:1–20)
   • Yahweh comforts those who turn back to him (3:21–39)
   • Judah is learning to return to Yahweh (3:40–54)
   • Judah cries out to be avenged of its enemies (3:55–66)
4. Fourth lament: The terrors of the siege of Jerusalem (4:1–4:22)
   • The people’s sin caused Jerusalem to be punished (4:1–20)
   • Their being punished satisfied Yahweh’s wrath for their sin (4:21–22a)
   • Edom will be punished also (4:22b)
5. Fifth lament: The broken nation cries out to Yahweh (5:1–22)

What is the Book of Lamentations about?

The Babylonians captured the city of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. In the Book of Lamentations, the writer grieves over Jerusalem being destroyed.

The Book of Lamentations is organized into five poems. The writer describes how God allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed because the people sinned against him. However, the writer also states that God is always loving and faithful to his people. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and faith)

Who wrote the Book of Lamentations?

The text of Lamentations does not give the name of the author. The traditional view is that Jeremiah wrote it. The writer seems to have personally seen Jerusalem destroyed. The serious and grieving words in the Book of Jeremiah are similar to those in the Book of Lamentations.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may use the traditional title of “Lamentations.” Or they may call the book “Poems of Sadness.” If translators want to take the view that the prophet Jeremiah wrote this book, they might decide on a title such as “The Sad Sayings of Jeremiah.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Did God abandon Israel?

The author of Lamentations often speaks of God abandoning Israel. But this did not mean that God had completely given up on Israel. He rejected Israel for a period of time as the special place where he would be present. However, God remained faithful to what he promised Israel in his covenant.

While it was common in the ancient Near East to think that a god might leave its city, it usually did so because it was too weak to defend the city. In Lamentations, Yahweh abandons Jerusalem because the people sinned against him, not because he was too weak to defend the city. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry)

What is a funeral song?

People groups commonly sing songs after someone dies or during a funeral. Depending on the culture, these songs can sound either happy or sad. The Book of Lamentations is like a sad song, called a “lament,” sung at a funeral. Some scholars think the rhythm of the laments in Hebrew makes them sound slow like a funeral procession.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What style of writing is Lamentations?

Lamentations is a collection of five poems. The Jewish exiles living in captivity in Babylon may have sung or chanted these laments. The Jews who remained in Jerusalem after the Babylonians conquered it may also have sung them. In Chapters 1, 2, and 4, each line of the poem begins with a different Hebrew letter, in the order of the Hebrew alphabet. The third chapter repeats three lines starting with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The next three lines begin with next letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

Who are the woman and the man in Lamentations?

The author uses the image of an abandoned woman and a persecuted man to represent Judah and Jerusalem. He uses this type of personification to help readers understand the pain and sorrow. (See: Personification)

Lamentations 1

Lamentations 1 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Judah destroyed for her sin

Judah used to be great, but is now a slave. The temple is stripped of all its valuables. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and temple, house, house of God)

Lamentations 1:1

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

General Information:

Various poetic forms are used throughout this book. (See also: Parallelism and Metaphor)

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Quote: is now sitting all alone (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the city of Jerusalem being empty, as if it were a woman who was sitting alone. Alternate translation: “is now empty”

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Quote: She (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The writer of Lamentations writes about the city of Jerusalem as if it were a woman.

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Quote: like a widow (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This speaks of Jerusalem as being without protection, as if it were a vulnerable widow.

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Quote: She was a princess among the nations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of Jerusalem being honored as if it were a princess. Alternate translation: “She was like a princess among the nations”

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Quote: forced into slavery (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

“forced to become a slave.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “but she is now a slave”

Lamentations 1:2

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Quote: She weeps and wails … and her tears cover her cheeks (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The author describes Jerusalem as having emotions like a human being. The city also stands for her inhabitants. Alternate translation: “Those who live in her weep and wail … and their tears cover their cheeks” (See also: Metonymy)

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Quote: weeps and wails (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The word “wails” refers to the sounds that a person makes when they “weep” loudly. Alternate translation: “weeps loudly”

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Quote: None of her lovers comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the people groups that had been faithful to Jerusalem betraying Jerusalem, as if the people groups were Jerusalem’s lovers and friends.

Lamentations 1:3

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

In these verses, Jerusalem and Judah are spoken of as if they were women.

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Quote: After poverty and affliction (0)

Alternate translation: “After suffering poverty and affliction”

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Quote: Judah has gone into exile (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Judah refers to its inhabitants. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah have gone into exile” or “the people of Judah have been taken into a foreign land”

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Quote: She lives … finds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here the kingdom of Judah is described as a woman. “She” also stands for the citizens of Judah. Alternate translation: “Her people live … they find” (See also: Metonymy)

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Quote: finds no rest (0)

Alternate translation: “does not find rest” or “is always afraid”

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Quote: All her pursuers overtook her in her desperation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This speaks of the people of Judah being captured by their enemies as if they were a woman who was captured by those pursuing her.

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Quote: All her pursuers overtook her (0)

Alternate translation: “Everyone who was chasing her managed to capture her” or “Everyone who was hunting for her found her”

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Quote: in her desperation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “desperation” can be expressed as an adjective. Alternate translation: “when she was desperate” or “when she was distressed”

Lamentations 1:4

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

The city of Zion is spoken of as if it were a woman. In Lamentations, Zion and Jerusalem are names used to refer to the same city.

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Quote: The roads of Zion mourn (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The author speaks of the roads that lead to Zion mourning as if they were human beings.

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Quote: the appointed feasts (0)

Alternate translation: “the feasts that God told them to celebrate”

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Quote: All her gates are desolate (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The word “her” refers to Zion. Alternate translation: “All of Zion’s gates are empty”

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Quote: Her virgins are sorrowful and she herself is in complete distress (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here the people of Zion being distressed are spoken of as if they were a woman in distress. Alternate translation: “Zion’s virgins are sorrowful, and its people despairing”

Lamentations 1:5

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Quote: Her adversaries have become her master; her enemies prosper (0)

Alternate translation: “Zion’s adversaries rule over it; its enemies prosper”

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Quote: Yahweh has afflicted her for her many sins (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This speaks of Yahweh punishing the people of Zion for their sins as if they were a woman that Yahweh was punishing. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has afflicted her people because of the sins they have committed”

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Quote: Her little children go into captivity to her adversary (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “captivity” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “Her enemy captures her little children”

Lamentations 1:6

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

The city of Zion is spoken of as if it were a woman. In Lamentations, Zion and Jerusalem are names used to refer to the same city.

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Quote: Beauty has left the daughter of Zion (0)

This speaks of everything beautiful in Zion being destroyed as if “beauty” were a person that left Zion. Alternate translation: “Everything that was beautiful about the daughter of Zion is destroyed”

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Quote: daughter of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman.

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Quote: Her princes have become like deer that cannot find pasture (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This speaks of Zion’s princes having nothing to eat like deer that cannot find grass to eat. Alternate translation: “Her princes are starving, they are like deer that cannot find grass to eat”

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Quote: deer (0)

A deer is a medium-sized, grass-eating animal that is often hunted by humans for food. It is also a beautiful animal to look at.

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Quote: they go without strength before (0)

Alternate translation: “they are not strong enough to run away from” or “they are very weak before”

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Quote: their pursuer (0)

Alternate translation: “the person that is pursuing them”

Lamentations 1:7

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Quote: In the days of her affliction and her homelessness (0)

Alternate translation: “During the time of her affliction and her homelessness”

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Quote: Jerusalem will call to mind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Jerusalem” refers to the people who live there. The phrase “call to mind” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “the people of Jerusalem will remember” or “Jerusalem will remember” (See also: Idiom)

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Quote: precious treasures (0)

This refers to their valuable possessions.

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Quote: in former days (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

“in the past.” This refers to the time before the people of Jerusalem were captured. Alternate translation: “before this disaster happened”

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Quote: When her people fell into the hand of the adversary (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” refers the control of the enemy army. Alternate translation: “When the adversary conquered and captured her people”

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Quote: saw her and laughed at her destruction (0)

This means that they were glad and mocked Jerusalem when it was destroyed.

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Quote: at her destruction (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

This word “destruction” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “because she was destroyed” or “while they destroyed her”

Lamentations 1:8

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

The city of Jerusalem is spoken of as if it were a woman. In Lamentations, Zion and Jerusalem are names used to refer to the same city.

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Quote: Jerusalem sinned greatly, therefore, she has become scorned as something that is filthy (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This speaks of Jerusalem being scorned in the same way that a woman is scorned when she is unclean. According to the law of Moses, a woman was considered unclean during her monthly bleeding. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem’s sins have made her filthy and unclean, and therefore she was unacceptable before God”

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Quote: Jerusalem sinned greatly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This describes Jerusalem as a woman who sinned, while it also stands for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “The people of Jerusalem sinned greatly” (See also: Metonymy)

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Quote: has become scorned (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “has become an object of scorn”

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Quote: her nakedness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

“her naked.” Jerusalem is described as a woman whose private parts have been exposed to everyone to shame her.

Lamentations 1:9

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Quote: She has become unclean beneath her skirts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

According to the l of Moses, a woman was considered unclean during her monthly bleeding. This speaks of Jerusalem being unclean, as if it were a menstruating woman. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem has become unclean, as when a woman is unclean beneath her skirts”

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Quote: unclean (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

A person who God considers to be spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.

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Quote: Her fall was terrible (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “her fall” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Her downfall was astonishing” or “Those who saw her destruction were surprised”

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Quote: Look at my affliction, Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This could mean that: (1) the author of Lamentations now talks directly to Yahweh or (2) Jerusalem is described as talking to Yahweh like a person.

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Quote: Look at (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention to”

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Quote: the enemy has become too great (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means that they enemy army has become too large and powerful and has defeated Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the enemy army has defeated me”

Lamentations 1:10

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Quote: has put his hand on (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “has taken possession of” or “has stolen”

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Quote: precious treasures (0)

This refers to their valuable possessions.

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Quote: She has seen (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The word “She” refers to Jerusalem.

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Quote: the nations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

This refers to people from various nations, not the entire population of those nations. Alternate translation: “people from the nations”

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Quote: you had commanded (0)

The word “you” refers to Yahweh.

Lamentations 1:11

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Quote: her people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The word “her” refers to Jerusalem which is described as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “her inhabitants” or “the people of the city”

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Quote: bread (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

This refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “food”

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Quote: They have given their precious treasures for food (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means they traded their wealth and their valuables in exchange for food. Alternate translation: “They have traded their precious treasures in exchange for food”

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Quote: precious treasures (0)

This refers to their valuable possessions.

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Quote: to restore their lives (0)

Alternate translation: “to save their lives” or “to restore their strength”

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Quote: Look, Yahweh, and consider me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here Jerusalem speaks directly to Yahweh.

Lamentations 1:12

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Quote: Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question is an accusation aganist the people who walk past Jerusalem and do not care about its well-being. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “All you who pass by should care more for my affliction!”

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Quote: Is it nothing to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here Jerusalem continues to speak, but now to people who pass by instead of to Yahweh.

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Quote: Look and see (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These words share similar meanings. Together they invite the reader to understand by seeing that no one has suffered so much.

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Quote: the sorrow that is being inflicted on me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the sorrow that Yahweh is inflicting upon me”

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Quote: on the day of his fierce anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here the word “day” is used as an idiom. Alternate translation: “when he was fiercely angry”

Lamentations 1:13

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

In this section Jerusalem is portrayed as a woman speaking about herself.

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Quote: on high (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “heaven”

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Quote: he has sent fire into my bones, and it has conquered them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This speaks of Yahweh punishing Jerusalem as if Jerusalem were a person that Yahweh were punishing with fire. Alternate translation: “he has sent a painful punishment into my inner being, and it has destroyed me” or “he has sent a destructive punishment into the middle of Jerusalem, and it has destroyed the city” (See also: Metaphor)

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Quote: has sent fire into my bones (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “fire” represents pain and “bones” represents one’s inner being. Alternate translation: “has sent pain into my bones” or “has sent pain into my inner being”

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Quote: He has spread a net for my feet (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This speaks of Yahweh punishing Jerusalem as if Jerusalem were a person that Yahweh had set a trap for. This refers to a type of trap usually used to catch an animal. (See also: Metaphor)

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Quote: turned me back (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “prevented my from walking any further”

Lamentations 1:14

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Quote: The yoke of my transgressions … They are knit together and placed upon my neck (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the people of Jerusalem’s sins as if they were a yoke bearing a heavy burden that Yahweh had placed on their necks. Also, If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “My transgressions are like a yoke that he has bound together with his hands and placed upon my neck” (See also: Active or Passive)

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Quote: given me over into their hands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

“given me over into the hands of my enemies.” Here their enemies’ control is represented by their “hands.” Alternate translation: “given my over to the control of my enemies” or “let my enemies defeat me”

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Quote: I am not able to stand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “I cannot resist them”

Lamentations 1:15

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

In this section Jerusalem is portrayed as a woman speaking about herself.

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Quote: mighty men (0)

Alternate translation: “strongest soldiers”

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Quote: an assembly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the enemy army attacking Jerusalem is spoken of as if it were a meeting of people who have come together in order to accuse and condemn someone. Alternate translation: “a great army”

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Quote: to crush my vigorous men (0)

This speaks of the enemy army defeating the soldiers of Jerusalem as if they crushed them. Alternate translation: “to defeat my vigorous men”

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Quote: vigorous men (0)

This refers to men at the strongest time of their lives.

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Quote: The Lord has trampled … in the winepress (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the judgment of God is described as if Jerusalem were grapes on which he had trampled in order to squeeze out the juice. Alternate translation: “It is as though the Lord has trampled upon the virgin daughter of Judah in a winepress”

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Quote: the virgin daughter of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. The word “virgin” suggests that this woman is pure.

Lamentations 1:16

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

In this section Jerusalem is portrayed as a woman speaking about herself. In Lamentations, Zion and Jerusalem are names used to refer to the same city.

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Quote: for a comforter is far from me, one who restores my life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of Jerusalem having no one to comfort her as if she did have a comforter, but that he was far away. The word “comforter” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “for there is no one to comfort me and restore my life”

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Quote: restores my life (0)

Alternate translation: “revives me”

Lamentations 1:17

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Quote: Zion has spread her hands wide (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here Jerusalem no longer speaks about herself; instead the author describes Jerusalem. He speaks of Zion as if it were a woman that lifts up her hands to ask for help. Alternate translation: “Zion has reached out for help” (See also: Symbolic Action)

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Quote: those around Jacob (0)

Alternate translation: “the people around Jacob” or “the nations surrounding Jacob”

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Quote: around Jacob should be his adversaries (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Jacob” refers to his descendants, that is Israel. Alternate translation: “around Jacob’s descendants should be their adversaries”

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Quote: unclean (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.

Lamentations 1:18

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

In this section Jerusalem is portrayed as a woman speaking about herself.

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Quote: Yahweh is righteous (0)

This implies that what Yahweh has done, he has done because he is righteous. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has acted out of his righteousness” or “What Yahweh has done is right”

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Quote: see my sorrow (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “sorrow” can be expressed as a “sad.” Alternate translation: “see how extremely sad I am”

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Quote: My virgins and my vigorous men have gone into captivity (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here all of the people of Jerusalem who were taken into captivity are represented by the “virgins” and the “vigorous men” who were taken. Alternate translation: “Many of my people, including my virgins and vigorous men, have gone into captivity”

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Quote: vigorous men (0)

This refers to men at the strongest time of their lives. See how you translated this in Lamentations 1:15.

Lamentations 1:19

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Quote: I called for my friends (0)

Alternate translation: “I called for my friends to help me” or “I called for my allies to help me”

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Quote: they were treacherous toward me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means that they betrayed him. Alternate translation: “they betrayed me”

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Quote: to restore their lives (0)

Alternate translation: “to save their lives” or “to restore their strength”

Lamentations 1:20

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

In this section Jerusalem is portrayed as a woman speaking about herself.

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Quote: Look, Yahweh, for I am in distress (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Jerusalem continues to talk about herself as if she were a woman, but now talks directly to Yahweh.

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Quote: my stomach churns (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “churn” means to move around violently, normally in a circular rotation. This does not mean the stomach is literally churning, but describes how the woman, representing Jerusalem, feels. Alternate translation: “my insides ache” or “my stomach hurts”

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Quote: my heart is disturbed within me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the woman, representing Jerusalem, refers to her “heart” to emphasize her feelings. Alternate translation: “my heart is broken” or “I am extremely sad”

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Quote: the sword bereaves a mother (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The “sword” represents the enemy. Alternate translation: “the enemy kills a mother’s children”

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Quote: inside the house there is only death (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This could mean: (1) “inside the house, everyone is dying” or (2) “and inside the house the dead people are kept”

Lamentations 1:21

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

General Information:

In this section Jerusalem is portrayed as a woman speaking about herself.

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Quote: They have heard my groaning (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

“People have heard my groaning.” Jerusalem continues to speak as if she were a woman.

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Quote: you have done it (0)

Here the word “you” refers to Yahweh.

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Quote: You have brought the day you promised (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “the day” is an idiom that refers to a specific event happening. Alternate translation: “You have done what you have promised”

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Quote: now let them become like me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This is a request for Jerusalem’s enemies to suffer as the people of Jerusalem have. Alternate translation: “now let them suffer like me”

Lamentations 1:22

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Quote: Let all their wickedness come before you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a request for Yahweh to judge Jerusalem’s enemies for their wickedness. The phrase “come before you” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Pay attention to all of the wickedness they have committed” or “Judge them for all of their wickedness”

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Quote: deal with them as you have dealt with me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This is a request for Yahweh to punish Jerusalem’s enemies as he punished the people of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “punish them as you have punished me”

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Quote: my heart is faint (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the “heart” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “I am faint”

Lamentations 2

Lamentations 2 General Notes

Structure and formatting

God has become Judah’s enemy. He is determined to destroy them.

Lamentations 2:1

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

General Information:

A new poem begins. The writer of Lamentations uses many different ways to express that the people of Israel have lost God’s favor. (See also: Parallelism and Metaphor)

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Quote: The Lord has covered the daughter of Zion under the cloud of his anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the Lord’s anger against Jerusalem (Zion) as if it were a dark cloud. This could mean: (1) God is threatening to harm the people of Jerusalem or (2) God has already harmed the people.

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Quote: the daughter of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. Translate as you did in Lamentations 1:6.

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Quote: He has thrown the splendor of Israel down from heaven to earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The phrase “the splendor of Israel” refers to Jerusalem. This passage speaks of the people of Jerusalem losing favor with the Lord as if he threw them out of his presence. The phrase “from heaven to earth” is a great distance used to represent how much they lost favor with the Lord. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem, the splendor of Israel, has lost all favor with the Lord” or “Jerusalem has lost all favor with the Lord” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

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Quote: He has not remembered his footstool (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This is a reference to the Lord having considered Jerusalem his “footstool” in the past, which symbolized that he had authority over them and that they were submissive to him. This speaks of the Lord disregarding Jerusalem as his footstool as if he did not remember them. Alternate translation: “He disregarded Jerusalem as his footstool”

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Quote: not remembered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the Lord not paying attention to Jerusalem as if he did not remember them. Alternate translation: “disregarded” or “paid no attention to”

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Quote: on the day of his anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “day” is used as an idiom that refers to a general period of time. Alternate translation: “at the time when he displays his anger” or “at the time he acts in his anger”

Lamentations 2:2

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Quote: the daughter of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman.

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Quote: the days of his anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “day” is used as an idiom that refers to a general period of time. Alternate translation: “the time of his anger” or “the time of his anger”

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Quote: swallowed up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the Lord completely destroying the towns as if he were an animal who ate them. Alternate translation: “completely destroyed”

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Quote: all the towns of Jacob (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “the towns of Jacob” refers to the towns where his descendants lived. Alternate translation: “all the towns of Israel”

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Quote: the fortified cities of the daughter of Judah (0)

This could mean: (1) the fortified cities throughout Judah or (2) the fortified walls of Jerusalem.

Lamentations 2:3

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Quote: he has cut off every horn of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the Lord taking away Israel’s strength as if he were cutting off its horns. The word “horn” refers to an animal horn, not a musical instrument. Alternate translation: “he has taken away all of Israel’s strength”

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Quote: withdrawn his right hand from before the enemy (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the Lord’s protection is represented by his “right hand.” Alternate translation: “stopped protecting us from our enemies”

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Quote: He has burned up Jacob like a blazing fire that devours everything around it (0)

This speaks of how the Lord has destroyed Jacob as if a fire has completely burned it. Alternate translation: “He has destroyed Jacob like a blazing fire destroys everything”

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Quote: Jacob (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Jacob” refers to the places where his descendants lived. Alternate translation: “Israel”

Lamentations 2:4

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Quote: Like an enemy he has bent his bow toward us, with his right is ready to shoot (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

A soldier has to bend his bow in order to shoot an arrow from it. This speaks of the Lord preparing to attack Israel as if he were an enemy about to shoot them with a bow and arrow. Alternate translation: “He has prepared to kill us, like an enemy who has made his bow ready to shoot us”

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Quote: in the tent of the daughter of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The “daughter of Zion” is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. The phrase “tent of the daughter of Zion” speaks of Jerusalem as a “tent” emphasizing that it is the home of those who live there. Alternate translation: “who live in Jerusalem” (See also: Metaphor)

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Quote: he has poured out his wrath like fire (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the Lord’s wrath as if it were a liquid that he were pouring out on the people. His wrath is also compared to a “fire” to emphasize how destructive it is. Alternate translation: “in his anger he has destroyed everything like a blazing fire”

Lamentations 2:5

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Quote: swallowed up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the Lord completely destroying Israel as if he were animal who ate them. See how you translated this in Lamentations 2:2. Alternate translation: “completely destroyed”

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Quote: her palaces … her strongholds (0)

Israel is spoken of as if it were female.

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Quote: He has increased mourning and lamentation within the daughter of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The words “mourning” and “lamentation” can be expressed as verbs. Alternate translation: “He has caused more and more people within the daughter of Judah to mourn and lament”

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Quote: daughter of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “Judah”

Lamentations 2:6

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Quote: He has attacked his tabernacle like a garden hut (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This speaks of the tabernacle being easily destroyed, as if it were a garden hut. The Lord caused Israel’s enemies to destroy it. He did not destroy it himself. Alternate translation: “He has caused their enemies to attack his tabernacle as easily as if it were a garden hut” (See also: Metonymy)

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Quote: a garden hut (0)

a very small building for holding farming tools or for sheltering someone who is guarding a garden

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Quote: He has destroyed the place of the solemn assembly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The Lord caused Israel’s enemies to destroy it. He did not destroy it himself. Alternate translation: “He has caused the place of the solemn assembly to be destroyed” or “He has caused their enemies to destroy the place of the solemn assembly”

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Quote: caused both solemn assembly and Sabbath to be forgotten in Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “caused the people in Zion to forget both solemn assembly and Sabbath”

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Quote: in the indignation of his anger (0)

Alternate translation: “because he was extremely angry with them”

Lamentations 2:7

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Quote: He has given over the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the enemy’s “hand” refers to the enemy’s control. Alternate translation: “He has allowed the enemy to capture the walls of her palaces”

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Quote: the walls of her palaces (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here, the word her may refer either to the temple or to Jersualem. Possible translations are: (1) “the walls of the temple” or (2) “the walls of Jerusalem’s palaces.” The word “walls” is a synecdoche for the whole building, and the building is a synecdoche for all of Jerusalem.

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Quote: They have raised a shout in the house of Yahweh, as on the day of an appointed feast (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

This is an ironic comparison between the happy, noisy festivals of Israel and the loud shouts of victory of the Babylonians. Alternate translation: “They have raised a shout in the house of Yahweh, as the Israelites would during an appointed feast”

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Quote: have raised a shout (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “have shouted victoriously”

Lamentations 2:8

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Quote: Yahweh decided to destroy the city wall (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Yahweh chose to have the wall destroyed and caused Jerusalem’s enemy to destroy it. He did not destroy it himself.

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Quote: daughter of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman.

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Quote: He has stretched out the measuring line (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of preparing to destroy the wall as if he measured it before he destroyed it, so that he knew how much to destroy. Alternate translation: “It is as though he has measured the wall”

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Quote: has not withheld his hand from destroying (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives

This can be stated without the double negatives. Also, here the Lord is referred to by his “hand.” Alternate translation: “with his hand he has destroyed the wall” or “he has destroyed the wall” (See also: Synecdoche)

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Quote: He has made the ramparts and wall to lament; together they wasted away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The walls and ramparts are spoken of as if they were people who lamented and died. Alternate translation: “Because he has destroyed the ramparts and walls, they are like people who lament and have lost their strength”

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Quote: ramparts (0)

Ancient cities had a main “wall” to keep attackers out, and an outer line of “ramparts” to keep attackers from the wall.

Lamentations 2:10

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Quote: daughter of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman.

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Quote: sit on the ground in silence (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

Often people would sit on the ground to show they were mourning. Alternate translation: “sit on the ground, mourning in silence”

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Quote: They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

These are actions of mourning. Alternate translation: “To show their mourning, they have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth”

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Quote: have bowed their heads to the ground (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

This is an action of mourning. Alternate translation: “have sorrowfully bowed their heads to the ground”

Lamentations 2:11

General Information:

The author shifts from describing Jerusalem to describing his own experience.

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Quote: My eyes have failed from their tears (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “I have cried until I cannot cry anymore”

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Quote: my stomach churns (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “churn” means to move around violently, normally in a circular rotation. This does not mean the stomach is literally churning, but describes how the author feels. Alternate translation: “my insides ache” or “my stomach hurts”

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Quote: my inner parts are poured out to the ground (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author speaks of feeling grief in his inner being as if his inner body parts had fallen out of his body onto the ground. Alternate translation: “my entire inner being is in grief”

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Quote: the daughter of my people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a poetic name of Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “my people” (See also: Personification)

Lamentations 2:12

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Quote: Where is grain and wine? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This rhetorical question is used as a request for something to eat. The children are telling their mother that they are hungry. The phrase “grain and wine” represents food and drink. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Give us something to eat and drink.” (See also: Rhetorical Question)

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Quote: as they faint like a wounded man (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This speaks of the children fainting from hunger and thirst in the same way that a wounded man faints.

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Quote: their lives are poured out on the bosom of their mothers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the children dying as if their lives were a liquid that was being poured out. Alternate translation: “they slowly die in the arms of their mothers”

Lamentations 2:13

General Information:

The author begins to address Jerusalem.

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Quote: What can I say … Jerusalem? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The author uses this rhetorical question to express that he does not know what to say to help Jerusalem. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is nothing that I can say … Jerusalem.”

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Quote: daughter of Jerusalem … virgin daughter of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

These are poetic names for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. “Zion” is another name for Jerusalem.

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Quote: To what can I compare to you … Zion? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The author uses this rhetorical question to express that he does not know how to give comfort to Jerusalem. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is nothing to which I can compare you … Zion.”

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Quote: Your wound is as great as the sea (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This speaks of Jerusalem’s great suffering as if it were as terrible as the sea is great. Alternate translation: “Your suffering is as terrible as the sea is large”

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Quote: Who can heal you? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

“Who can restore you?” The author uses this rhetorical question to express that there is no one who can restore Jerusalem to the way it was before. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can heal you.” or “No one can restore you.”

Lamentations 2:14

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Quote: They have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes (0)

“They did not tell you about your sins to restore your fortunes.” The word “fortune” refers to a person’s wealth and prosperity.

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Quote: for you they gave utterances (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “utterances” can be expressed with the verb “spoke.” Alternate translation: “they spoke things to you”

Lamentations 2:15

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Quote: clap their hands … hiss and shake their heads (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

These actions are used to mock and insult others. Alternate translation: “mock you by clapping their hands … hiss and shake their heads”

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Quote: the daughter of Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman.

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Quote: Is this the city that they called ‘The Perfection of Beauty,’ ‘The Joy for All of Earth’? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question is used to express sarcasm. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “This city that they called ‘The Perfection of Beauty,’ ‘The Joy for All of Earth,’ is not so beautiful or joyful anymore!”

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Quote: The Perfection of Beauty (0)

Alternate translation: “Perfectly Beautiful”

Lamentations 2:16

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Quote: grind their teeth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

This action shows a person’s anger and that they are mocking others.

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Quote: We have swallowed her up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the people speak of destroying Jerusalem as if they were an animal swallowing its food. Alternate translation: “We have completely destroyed Jerusalem”

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Quote: We have lived to see it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “We have greatly desired to see it happen”

Lamentations 2:17

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Quote: He has overthrown (0)

Alternate translation: “He has destroyed”

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Quote: to rejoice over you (0)

This means that the enemy rejoiced because they defeated them. Alternate translation: “to rejoice over defeating you”

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Quote: he has lifted up the horn of your enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here horn (that is, an animal horn) represents strength. Alternate translation: “he has increased the power of your enemies”

Lamentations 2:18

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Quote: Their heart cried out to the Lord (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the word heart represents the whole person emphasizing one’s innermost being. Possible meanings of who cried out are: (1) the people of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “The people of Jerusalem shouted to the Lord from their innermost being” or (2) the walls are being personified. Alternate translation: “You walls, cry out to the Lord from your innermost being” (See also: Personification)

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Quote: walls of the daughter of Zion! Make your tears flow … no relief (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

The writer speaks to the walls of Jerusalem. He wants the people of Jerusalem to do what he is telling the walls to do. Some translations take this whole section to be spoken to the “walls,” though this can be written with the first phrase “walls of the daughter of Zion!” spoken to the “walls,” and the rest of the section spoken directly to the people.

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Quote: the daughter of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman.

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Quote: Make your tears flow down like a river (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the people crying so much that their tears would flow like a river. Alternate translation: “Cry many, many tears”

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Quote: day and night (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

These two opposite times of day refer to all the time. Alternate translation: “all of the time”

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Quote: Give yourself no relief, your eyes no relief (0)

Alternate translation: “Do not allow yourself and your eyes to rest from crying”

Lamentations 2:19

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Quote: Arise, cry out … of every street (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

The writer continues speaking to the walls of Jerusalem. He wants the people of Jerusalem to do what he is telling the walls to do. Some translations take this whole section to be spoken to the “walls,” though this can be written with the first phrase “walls of the daughter of Zion!” spoken to the “walls,” and the rest of the section spoken directly to the people.

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Quote: at the beginning of the night watches (0)

“many times during the night.” This refers to every time a watchman came on duty.

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Quote: Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “pour out your heart like water” is an idiom. Here the Lord is represented by his “face” to emphasize his presence. Alternate translation: “Tell the Lord how you feel in your inner being”

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Quote: Lift up your hands to him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

This was an action often performed while praying. Alternate translation: “Lift up your hands to him in prayer”

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Quote: for the lives of your children (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means for them to request that the Lord save their children. Alternate translation: “to save the lives of your children”

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Quote: at the corner of every street (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The word “every” here is an exaggeration for “many.” Alternate translation: “where the streets come together” or “by the roads”

Lamentations 2:20

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Quote: Should women eat the fruit of their wombs … for? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question is asked to emphasize that it is not right for women to eat their children. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Woman should not eat their own children … for!”

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Quote: the fruit of their wombs (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of children having come from their mother as if they were fruit that came from her womb. Alternate translation: “their children that they have given birth to” or “their own children”

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Quote: Should priest and prophet be slaughtered in the sanctuary of the Lord? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question is used to emphasize that the prophets and priests should not be killed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “The prophets and priests should not be slaughtered in the sanctuary of the Lord!”

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Quote: Should priest and prophet be slaughtered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Should our enemies slaughter priests and prophets”

Lamentations 2:21

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Quote: Both the young and the old lie on the dust (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It is implied here that this refers to dead people. Alternate translation: “The corpses of both the young and the old lie on the dust”

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Quote: Both the young and the old (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

These phrases refer to people. These two opposites are used to refer to all ages of people. Alternate translation: “Both young people and old people” or “People of all ages” (See also: Merism)

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Quote: My young women and my young men have fallen by the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

Here the “sword” refers to their enemies. This is a euphemism that means that they were murdered by their enemies. Alternate translation: “My young women and my young men have been murdered by their enemies” or “My enemies have murdered my young women and my young men”

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Quote: you have slaughtered them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This speaks of Yahweh allowing the poeple to be slaughtered as if he killed them himself. Alternate translation: “you allowed them to be slaughtered” or “you allowed this to happen”

Lamentations 2:22

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Quote: as you would call the people to a feast day (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

“as if they were coming to a feast.” This speaks of how Yahweh summoned his enemies as if he were inviting them to a feast.

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Quote: my terrors (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the people the author fears are referred to as his “terrors.” Alternate translation: “the attackers I was afraid of”

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Quote: on every side (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “to attack from every direction”

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Quote: on the day of the anger of Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “day” is used as an idiom that refers to a general period of time. Alternate translation: “at the time when Yahweh acted in his anger” or “during the time that Yahweh displayed his anger”

Lamentations 3

Lamentations 3 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Troubles

Here the author speaks of the suffering experienced by the people of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege and after the city’s fall. He speaks of these sufferings as if they had been directed against him personally, as if God had personally attacked him. However, we should understand the writer’s feelings as having been shared by everyone in the city.

In verse 19, the writer begins to think about the lessons that he and his fellow citizens should learn about God and his anger and his mercy. He also thinks about what it means to repent and to trust in God.

In verse 43, the writer speaks again about the suffering that God has caused to Jerusalem, but here the writer speaks of “we” and “us,” not “I” and “me.” But in verse 48, he begins to speak about how he himself will continually mourn over what has happened.

In verse 52, the writer begins to think about his personal enemies in Jerusalem, those who persecuted him for bringing Yahweh’s messages to the city. He asks for God to show his enemies that he was doing right, and to take revenge on them for their crimes against him.

Lamentations 3:1

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

A new poem begins. Here the author speaks of the sufferings that his people experienced. He speaks about them as if God had personally attacked only him. However, the writer intends to speak for everyone in the city. (See also: Parallelism)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who has seen misery (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “has seen” represents has experienced. Alternate translation: “who has experienced misery” or “who has suffered”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: under the rod of Yahweh’s fury (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Being “under the rod” represents being beaten with a rod. The author speaks of God’s punishment as if God had beaten him with a rod. Alternate translation: “because Yahweh was very angry and has beaten me with a rod” or “because Yahweh was very angry and has punished me severely” (See also: Metaphor)

Lamentations 3:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He drove me away (0)

Alternate translation: “He forced me to go away”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: caused me to walk in darkness rather than light (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “darkness” represents suffering. Alternate translation: “caused me to suffer terribly with no hope, like a person walking in darkness rather than light”

Lamentations 3:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he turned his hand against me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “turned his hand against me” represents attacking him. The author speaks of God causing bad things to happen to him as if God had attacked him. Alternate translation: “he has attacked me” or “he has caused many bad things to happen to me, like someone who attacks a person” (See also: Metaphor)

Lamentations 3:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He made my flesh and my skin waste away; he broke my bones (0)

This could mean: (1) these things are a result of being beaten or (2) these are more ways that God punished the man.

Lamentations 3:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He built up siege works against me (0)

Siege works are ramps that an army builds around a city to enable them to climb over the city walls and invade the city.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He built up siege works against me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) the author speaks of God causing bad things to happen to him as if he were a city and God was an enemy that built up siege works against him. Alternate translation: “God attacked me like an enemy army that sets up siege works around a city” or (2) the author speaks of God causing the enemy army to attack Jerusalem as if God were the enemy. Alternate translation: “God caused the enemy army to build up siege works against me”

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Quote: surrounded me with bitterness and hardship (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents God causing him to experience much bitterness and hardship. Alternate translation: “caused me to experience much bitterness and hardship” or “caused me to suffer and have many problems”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bitterness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “bitterness” represents suffering.

Lamentations 3:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He made me live in dark places, like those who died long ago (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “dark places” is a metaphor for suffering. The author compares the intensity of his suffering to the intensity of the darkness that those who died long ago experience. Alternate translation: “The suffering that he causes me is intense like the darkness of the grave” or “He makes me suffer terribly, as if I were in the darkness of those who died long ago” (See also: Simile)

Lamentations 3:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He built a wall around me and I cannot escape. He made my chains heavy (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents the continuing suffering. Like a person who cannot escape from prison, the author cannot make his suffering stop. Alternate translation: “My suffering continues. It is as though he has built a wall around me and put heavy chains on me, and I cannot escape”

Lamentations 3:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he shut out my prayer (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author speaks about God refusing to listen to his prayers as though God was shutting his ears so that the author’s prayers could not go into them. Alternate translation: “he refuses to hear my prayer”

Lamentations 3:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He blocked my path (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author speaks of God causing him to continue to suffer as if God was preventing him from escaping the suffering by blocking his path. Alternate translation: “It is as though he blocked my path”

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Quote: a wall of hewn stone (0)

“a wall of cut stones.” People would cut stones into regular shapes that could fit together well in order to build a strong wall.

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Quote: he made my paths crooked (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Crooked paths do not lead people to where they want to go. Here they represent unsuccessful ways of escaping suffering. Alternate translation: “it is as though he has made my paths crooked” or “I have tried to make the suffering stop, but God has prevented me, like one who prevents another from escaping by making his paths crooked”

Lamentations 3:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He is like a bear waiting to ambush me, a lion in hiding (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The author speaks of God being ready to cause him to suffer more, as if God were a wild animal waiting to attack him.

Lamentations 3:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he turned aside my paths (0)

This could mean: (1) “he dragged me off the path” or (2) “he caused my path to turn in the wrong direction”

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Quote: he has made me desolate (0)

Alternate translation: “he has made me hopeless” or “he has not allowed me to have any help”

Lamentations 3:12

General Information:

God is often spoken of as if he were a warrior.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He bent his bow (0)

A soldier has to bend his bow in order to shoot an arrow from it. The author speaks of God deciding to cause him trouble as if God were a warrior ready to shoot him with an arrow. See how you translated this in Lamentations 2:4. Alternate translation: “It was as if God made his bow ready to shoot”

Lamentations 3:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He pierced my kidneys with the arrows of his quiver (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author speaks of the deep grief he feels as if God had shot his kidneys with an arrow. Alternate translation: “My grief is great. It is as if he pierced my kidneys with the arrows of his quiver”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my kidneys (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The kidneys are abdominal organs that move urine into the bladder. They are a metaphor for a person’s emotions. Alternate translation: “deep into my body” or “my heart”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: quiver (0)

a bag worn on the back in which to store arrows

Lamentations 3:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a laughingstock to all my people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The word “all” is a generalization, meaning “most.” Alternate translation: “a laughingstock to most of my people” or “someone whom all my people mock”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: laughingstock (0)

someone whom many people mock

Lamentations 3:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He filled me with bitterness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “bitterness” represents suffering. It is referred to as if it were something that could fill the speaker. Alternate translation: “He has caused me to suffer very much”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: forced me to drink wormwood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Wormwood is the bitter juice from the leaves and flowers of a certain plant. Drinking that bitter juice represents suffering. Alternate translation: “it is as though he forced me to drink something very bitter”

Lamentations 3:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He has made my teeth grind with gravel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) the author speaks of God humiliating him as if God had forced him to chew gravel. Alternate translation: “He has humiliated me, like someone who forces another to chew gravel” or (2) the author speaks of God humiliating him as if God had pushed his face down into the gravel on the ground. Alternate translation: “He has humiliated me, like someone who pushes another man’s face down into the gravel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he made me cower in the ashes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author speaks of God humiliating him as if God had pushed him down into the ashes of a fire on the ground.

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Quote: cower (0)

make oneself as small as possible because of fear of something one cannot fight against

Lamentations 3:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My soul is deprived of peace (0)

This could mean: (1) the author’s experiences are not peaceful. Alternate translation: “I have no peace in my life” or (2) the author does not feel peace. Alternate translation: “I feel no peace in my soul”

Lamentations 3:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My endurance has perished and so has my hope in Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The author speaks as if his ability to endure more suffering and his hope that Yahweh will help him were living beings that have died. Alternate translation: “I cannot endure anymore suffering and I can no longer hope that Yahweh will help me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: endurance (0)

Some versions translate this as “glory” or “splendor.”

Lamentations 3:19

General Information:

In verses 19 to 42, the writer thinks about the lessons that he and his fellow citizens should learn about God and his anger and mercy.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wormwood and bitterness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

Wormwood is a plant that gives a liquid which is very bitter to drink. Together “wormwood” and “bitterness” represent severe suffering. (See also: Metaphor)

Lamentations 3:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my soul is bowed down within me (0)

Alternate translation: “I am depressed” or “I am discouraged”

Lamentations 3:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But I call this to mind (0)

This means to intentionally think about something. The word “this” refers to something that the author will start to speak about in the next verse. Alternate translation: “But I choose to think about this” or “But I remember this”

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Quote: I have hope (0)

Alternate translation: “I hope”

Lamentations 3:22

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Quote: The steadfast love of Yahweh never ceases (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word steadfast love, you can express the same idea with the phrase “love faithfully.” Alternate translation: “Yahweh never stops loving his people faithfully”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his compassions never end (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word compassions, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “care.” Alternate translation: “he never stops caring for those who suffer”

Lamentations 3:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are new every morning (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “they” refers to God’s steadfast love and compassions. Their being new represents God continuing to act according to them. Alternate translation: “every morning he treats us again with steadfast love and compassion”

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Quote: your faithfulness (0)

The word “your” refers to Yahweh.

Lamentations 3:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh is my inheritance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

When God gave each tribe of Israel their land, he called it an inheritance. The author speaks of Yahweh being all he needs as if Yahweh were the inheritance that he had received. Alternate translation: “Because Yahweh is with me, I have everything I need”

Lamentations 3:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh is good to those who wait for him (0)

Here “good” refers to kindness. Alternate translation: “Yahweh is kind to those who wait for him” or “Yahweh does good things for those who wait for him”

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Quote: those who wait for him (0)

This could mean: (1) “all those who depend on him” or (2) “the one who waits patiently for him to act.”

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Quote: the one who seeks him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, seeks him could mean: (1) asking God for help or (2) wanting to know God.

Lamentations 3:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that he bear the yoke in his youth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “bear the yoke” represents suffering. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word his youth, you can express the same idea with another word such as “young.” Alternate translation: “that he suffer while he is young” (See also: Abstract Nouns)

Lamentations 3:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let him sit alone in silence (0)

The phrase “in silence” refers to not speaking. Here it may refer specifically to not complaining. Alternate translation: “Let him sit alone without speaking” or “Let him sit alone and not complain”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when it is laid upon him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“when the yoke is laid upon him.” Here the yoke represents suffering. Alternate translation: “when he suffers”

Lamentations 3:30

General Information:

The writer speaks of the one who waits for Yahweh (Lamentations 3:25).

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Quote: Let him offer his cheek to the one who strikes him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “him” refers to anyone who is suffering and who waits for Yahweh. Here “offer his cheek” represents allowing someone to strike his cheek. Alternate translation: “Let him allow people to hit him on the face”

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Quote: let him be filled to the full with reproach (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author speaks of a person as if he were a container and reproach were a liquid. Being filled with reproach represents being reproached much. The implication is that he should be patient when this happens. Alternate translation: “let him be insulted much” or “let him be patient when people reproach him”

Lamentations 3:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: though he causes grief (0)

Alternate translation: “though the Lord causes people to suffer” or “though he afflicts people”

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Quote: he will have compassion (0)

Alternate translation: “he will be compassionate to them”

Lamentations 3:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For he does not afflict from his heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the heart represents desire or pleasure, and afflicting from the heart represents afflicting with pleasure. Alternate translation: “For it does not make him happy to afflict people” or “He does not take pleasure in afflicting people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the children of mankind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This refers to people in general. Alternate translation: “human beings” or “people”

Lamentations 3:34

General Information:

The author wrote in general terms about what is true for all people, but it shows God’s concern for his people, the people of Israel, who were being mistreated by their enemies.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: To crush underfoot (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “crush underfoot” represents abusing and mistreating people. Alternate translation: “To abuse” or “To mistreat”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: To crush (0)

Alternate translation: “If people crush”

Lamentations 3:35

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to deny a man justice (0)

This refers to not allowing a person to have what he deserves. Alternate translation: “to deny a person his rights” or “to keep a person from having what he deserves”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the presence of the Most High (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Doing something “in the presence of the Most High” represents doing it while knowing that God sees it. Alternate translation: “knowing that the Most High sees it”

Lamentations 3:36

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to deny justice to a person (0)

Here “deny justice” refers to not making a just decision for a person in a legal concern. Alternate translation: “to judge a person wrongly in court” or “to keep a person who goes to a judge from getting what is right”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to deny justice (0)

Alternate translation: “if they deny justice”

Lamentations 3:37

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord decreed it? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The author uses this rhetorical question to teach that when someone commands something to happen, it will happen only if God has already decreed that it should happen. Alternate translation: “No one has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord decreed it.” or “What someone has commanded to happen has never happened unless the Lord decreed it.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has spoken (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It can be expressed clearly that this refers to commanding something to happen. Alternate translation: “has commanded that something should happen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it came to pass (0)

Alternate translation: “what he said happened”

Lamentations 3:38

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and the good come? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author uses this rhetorical question to teach that both calamities and good things happen only because God has commanded them to happen. Alternate translation: “It is only from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and the good come.” or “It is only because the Most High has commanded it that both calamities and good things happen.” (See also: Rhetorical Question)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the mouth of the Most High (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “mouth” represents what God says or commands. Alternate translation: “from the command of the Most High” or “because the Most High has commanded it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: both calamities and the good come (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “come” represents happening. Also, the nominal adjective “the good” can be stated as “good things.” Alternate translation: “both calamities and good things happen” (See also: Nominal Adjectives)

Lamentations 3:39

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How can any person alive complain? How can a person complain about the punishment for his sins? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The author uses these rhetorical questions to teach that people should not complain when God punishes them. Alternate translation: “A person should not complain when God punishes him for his sins.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How can any person alive complain (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This could mean: (1) it is implied that mere people cannot fully understand God’s actions. Alternate translation: “How can a mere person complain” or (2) it is implied that being alive is a gift from God. Alternate translation: “How can a person who is blessed to be alive complain”

Lamentations 3:40

General Information:

The writer speaks again about the suffering that God has caused to Jerusalem, but here he speaks of “we” and “us,” not “I” and “me.” In verse 42 the author starts a prayer that he and the people of Israel should pray.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let us return to Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “return to Yahweh” represents submitting to him again. Alternate translation: “let us submit to Yahweh again”

Lamentations 3:41

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let us lift up our hearts and our hands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “lift up our hearts” represents praying sincerely. It was customary for the Israelites to raise their hands when praying to God. Alternate translation: “Let us pray sincerely with lifted hands” or “Let us lift up our hands and pray sincerely” (See also: Metonymy)

Lamentations 3:42

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: We have transgressed and rebelled (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “transgressed” and “rebelled” share similar meanings. Together they indicate that transgression is the same as rebelling against Yahweh.

Lamentations 3:43

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have covered yourself with anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here anger is spoken of as if it were a garment that God has put on. Hebrew often spoke of emotions as if they were clothing. Alternate translation: “You have been angry”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have killed (0)

Alternate translation: “you have killed many of us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have not spared (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “spared” represents having pity. Alternate translation: “you have not had pity on us”

Lamentations 3:44

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

The prayer that began in Lamentations 3:42 continues.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents God refusing to listen to the people’s prayer. Alternate translation: “You refuse to listen to our prayers. It is as though you put a cloud between us and you so that our prayers cannot get to you”

Lamentations 3:45

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have made us like filthy scum and refuse among the nations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The people of Israel are compared to filthy scum and refuse. This could mean: (1) God has caused the nations to think of his people as worthless. Alternate translation: “You have made the nations think of us as scum and garbage” or (2) God’s forcing his people to live among the nations is like throwing them away as garbage. Alternate translation: “You have thrown us away like filthy garbage among the nations”

Lamentations 3:47

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: panic and pitfall have come upon us, ruin and destruction (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The abstract nouns “panic,” “pitfall,” “ruin” and “destruction” can be expressed with verbs. Alternate translation: “we are panicking. We are trapped, and we are being ruined and destroyed” or “we are terrified and trapped. We are being completely destroyed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pitfall (0)

This refers to falling into a pit. Here it represents being trapped in any way.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have come upon us (0)

Alternate translation: “have happened to us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ruin and destruction (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two words share similar meanings and refer to the destruction of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “total destruction”

Lamentations 3:48

General Information:

The author speaks about himself again.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My eyes flow with streams of tears (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the author speaks of the great amount of his tears as if they were streams. He uses exaggeration to show that he is very sad and has cried much. Alternate translation: “Tears flow from my eyes like water flowing in a river” (See also: Hyperbole)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because my people are destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can stated in active form. Alternate translation: “because enemies have destroyed my people”

Lamentations 3:49

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: without ceasing, without relief (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

Both of these phrases means the same thing. The author speaks of his continuing to cry as if his eyes were a person and had no rest from crying. Alternate translation: “without stopping” (See also: Personification)

Lamentations 3:50

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: until Yahweh from heaven looks down and sees (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

What the author hopes Yahweh will see can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “until Yahweh looks down from heaven and sees what has happened to my people”

Lamentations 3:51

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My eyes cause me grief (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The phrase “My eyes” represents what he sees. Alternate translation: “What I see causes me to grieve”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because of all the daughters of my city (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It can be stated clearly that the “daughters of my city” are suffering. Alternate translation: “because the daughters of my city are suffering” or “because I see the daughters of my city suffering”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the daughters of my city (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This could mean: (1) the women of Jerusalem or (2) all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Lamentations 3:52

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have been hunted like a bird by those who were my enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author speaks of people looking for him in order to kill him as if he were an animal that they were hunting. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “My enemies have looked for me in order to kill me like people who hunt for a bird”

Lamentations 3:53

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They cast me into a pit (0)

Alternate translation: “They threw me into a pit” or “They dropped me into a well”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: threw a stone on me (0)

This could mean: (1) “threw stones down on me” or (2) “covered the pit with a stone”

Lamentations 3:54

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they caused waters to overflow, covering my head (0)

Alternate translation: “the level of the water in the pit rose up over my head”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have been cut off (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being “cut off” often represents being killed. Here it represents dying very soon. Alternate translation: “I am about to die”

Lamentations 3:55

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I called on your name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

God’s name represents his character, and here, “called on your name” represents trusting God’s character and calling on him for help. Alternate translation: “I called to you for help”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the depths of the pit (0)

This could mean: (1) this refers to the pit that author had been thrown into. Alternate translation: “from the bottom of the pit” or (2) the author was afraid that he would die soon, so he spoke as if he were in the place of the dead. Alternate translation: “from the pit of the dead”

Lamentations 3:56

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You heard my voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “voice” represents what he said. Alternate translation: “You heard my words”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not close your ear (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “close your ear” represents refusing to listen. Alternate translation: “Do not refuse to listen”

Lamentations 3:57

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You came near (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

People often come near to a person they help. Here “came near” represents helping the man. Alternate translation: “you helped me”

Lamentations 3:58

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you defended my case, you saved my life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author speaks of God keeping him from being killed by his enemies as if God had defended him in court as a lawyer defends someone, and kept him from being killed. Alternate translation: “you saved my life from my enemies. It is as though you defended me in court”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you defended my case (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “defended my case” represents arguing for him. Alternate translation: “you argued my case for me”

Lamentations 3:59

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: judge my case (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here God is no longer pictured as a lawyer, but as the judge. It can be stated clearly that he wanted God to judge in his favor. Alternate translation: “make a decision about me, and show my enemies that I am right” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Lamentations 3:61

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have heard their scorn … and all their plans regarding me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word scorn, you can express the same idea with the verbs “taunt” or “mock.” It can be stated clearly that the plans were to harm him. Alternate translation: “You heard how they have taunted me … and all they plan to do to me” or “You have heard them mock me … and plan ways to harm me”

Lamentations 3:62

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The lips and the accusations … come against me all the day (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author speaks of his enemies accusing him all day as if their accusations were soldiers that come to attack him all day. Alternate translation: “My enemies speak against me and accuse me through the whole day”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The lips … of my enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the lips represent what his enemies say. Alternate translation: “The words … of my enemies”

Lamentations 3:63

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: how they sit and then rise up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

These two actions together represent everything the people do. Alternate translation: “everything they do”

Lamentations 3:64

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pay back to them, Yahweh, according to what they have done (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “Pay back to them” represents punishing them. What they have done can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Punish them, Yahweh, according to what they have done” or “Yahweh, they have made me suffer, so please make them suffer” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Lamentations 3:65

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will let their hearts be shameless (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “heart” is a metonym that represents their attitudes and emotions, and being “shameless” means not feeling ashamed of their sins even though they should. Their not being ashamed would give even more reason for God to punish them. Alternate translation: “You will let them feel no shame for their sins”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: May your condemnation be upon them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word condemnation, you can express the same idea with the verbs “condemn” or “curse.” Alternate translation: “Condemn them” or “Curse them”

Lamentations 3:66

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from under the heavens (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “from under the heavens” represents everywhere on earth. Alternate translation: “wherever they are on earth”

Lamentations 4

Lamentations 4 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The story of Judah being destroyed continues in this chapter. Famine destroyed the rulers and the priests. (See: priest, priesthood)

Lamentations 4:1

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

General Information:

A new poem begins. (See also: Parallelism and Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The gold has become tarnished; how the purest gold has changed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people of Jerusalem are spoken of as if they were gold that is no longer shiny, and therefore no longer valuable. Alternate translation: “The people of Jerusalem are like gold that is no longer shiny. They are like pure gold that is no longer beautiful”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: how the purest gold has changed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations

This is an exclamation that shows the author’s sadness that this has happened.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The holy stones are scattered at the corner of every street (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This may refer to the temple being destroyed and its stones scattered throughout the city. It may also be a metaphor for the people being scattered.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: at the corner of every street (0)

Alternate translation: “wherever the streets come together” or “by all the roads”

Lamentations 4:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sons of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here people of a city are spoken of as if they were the sons of the city. This could mean: (1) this refers to only the young men of Jerusalem or (2) this refers to all the people of Jerusalem.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are worth no more than clay jars, the work of the potter’s hands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author speaks of the precious sons of Zion as if they were considered to be inexpensive clay jars. Alternate translation: “people consider them to be as worthless as the clay jars that potters make”

Lamentations 4:3

General Information:

Because of the lack of food in the city, the people of Jerusalem do not give their children all they need.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the jackals offer the breast to nurse their cubs (0)

This means that mother jackals feed their baby jackals.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: jackals (0)

fierce wild dogs

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the daughter of my people … like the ostriches in the desert (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The people in Jerusalem are compared to ostriches because they are cruel to their children.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the daughter of my people has (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. See how you translated this in Lamentations 2:11. Alternate translation: “my people have” (See also: Personification)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ostriches (0)

large birds that abandon some of their eggs

Lamentations 4:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The tongue of the nursing baby sticks to the roof of his mouth by thirst (0)

Alternate translation: “Nursing babies are so thirsty that their tongues stick to the top of their mouths”

Lamentations 4:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: feast on (0)

Alternate translation: “eat much”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: now starve in the streets (0)

These people no longer have homes, so they live outside along the streets.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Those who were brought up wearing scarlet clothing (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “those who grew up wearing scarlet clothing” or “those who wore scarlet clothing when they were growing up”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: scarlet clothing (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here this phrase is a metonym for luxurious, expensive, and comfortable clothing, at least some of which was probably scarlet. Alternate translation: “luxurious clothing”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: now lie on piles of ashes (0)

This is because they no longer have homes and soft beds.

Lamentations 4:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than that of Sodom (0)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word punishment, you can express the same idea with the verb “punish.” Alternate translation: “The daughter of my people has been punished more severely than Sodom was punished”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the daughter of my people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. See how you translated this in Lamentations 2:11. Alternate translation: “my people” (See also: Personification)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: which was overthrown in a moment (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The word “which” refers to Sodom. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which God destroyed in a moment”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no hands were wrung for her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one wrung their hands for her”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no hands were wrung for her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

People sometimes rub and twist their hands when they are worried and cannot fix something, so wringing the hands here represents worrying. The word “her” refers to Jerusalem, which was called “the daughter of my people.” Alternate translation: “no one was worried about her”

Lamentations 4:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Her leaders were purer than snow, whiter than milk (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) Jerusalem’s leaders were beautiful to look at because they were physically healthy or (2) the leaders were morally pure as new snow and milk are pure white.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Her leaders (0)

Alternate translation: “Jerusalem’s leaders”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their bodies were more ruddy than coral (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

“their bodies were redder than coral.” This implies that they were healthy. Alternate translation: “their bodies were healthy and red”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: coral (0)

a rock-hard red substance that comes from the ocean and was used for making decorations

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sapphire (0)

a costly blue stone used in jewelry

Lamentations 4:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their appearance now is darker than soot (0)

This may be because: (1) the sun has darkened the leaders’ skin or (2) the soot from the fires that burned Jerusalem has covered their faces.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are not recognized (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one can recognize them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their skin has shriveled on their bones (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This implies that there was not much muscle or fat under the skin.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it has become as dry as wood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Their dry skin is compared to dry wood.

Lamentations 4:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Those who have been killed by the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “sword” represents an enemy’s attack. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Those whom enemy soldiers have killed” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those killed by hunger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hunger” represents starvation. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “those who starved to death” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who wasted away (0)

Alternate translation: “who became extremely thin and weak”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pierced by the lack of any harvest from the field (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “harvest from the field” is a metonym that represents food to eat. Lack of food is spoken of here as if it were a sword that pierces people. Alternate translation: “who died because there was not enough food to eat” (See also: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Lamentations 4:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The hands of compassionate women (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the women are represented by their “hands.” Because they were so hungry, women who had been compassionate in the past were no longer compassionate toward their children; instead they boiled them for food. Alternate translation: “Compassionate women” or “Women who had been compassionate in the past”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they became their food (0)

Alternate translation: “their children became the women’s food”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the daughter of my people was (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. See how you translated this in Lamentations 2:11. Alternate translation: “my people were” (See also: Personification)

Lamentations 4:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh showed all his wrath; he poured out his fierce anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Yahweh was very angry, and he did everything he wanted to do to show that he was angry.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he poured out his fierce anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God’s punishing his people is spoken of as if his anger were a burning hot liquid that he poured out on them. Alternate translation: “because of his fierce anger, he punished his people” or “in fierce anger he responded to his people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He kindled a fire in Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This represents God causing Israel’s enemies to start a fire in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “He caused a fire to start in Zion”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that consumed her foundations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “her foundations” represents the whole city, even the part of the city that would be ruined last. Alternate translation: “that burned down the city, even its foundations”

Lamentations 4:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the inhabitants of the world believe, (0)

Alternate translation: “The kings of the earth and the rest of the inhabitants of the world did not believe”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: enemies or opponents (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize that these are people who desired to harm Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “any kind of enemy” or “any of Jerusalem’s enemies”

Lamentations 4:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two lines share similar meanings and emphasize that these spiritual leaders were largely responsible for the fall of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the terrible sins of her prophets and priests”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who have shed the blood of the righteous (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Both the priests and the prophets were guilty of murder. Here “shed the blood” represents murder. Alternate translation: “who have murdered the righteous”

Lamentations 4:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They wandered, blind, through the streets (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The priests and prophets are spoken of as if they were blind because they wandered through the streets, not knowing where to go. Alternate translation: “They wandered through the streets like blind men”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They were so defiled by that blood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “defiled” represents being unacceptable to God. Because the priests and prophets murdered people, they were ritually unclean, unable to worship God or be with ordinary people.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: defiled by that blood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

“defiled by the blood that they shed.” This could mean: (1) the blood was on their clothes or (2) “blood” is a metonym for murder.

Lamentations 4:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Away! Unclean (0)

Alternate translation: “Go away! You are unclean”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Away! Away! Do not touch (0)

Alternate translation: “Go away! Go away! Do not touch us”

Lamentations 4:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: scattered them (0)

Alternate translation: “scattered the prophets and priests”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he does not watch over them anymore (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “watch over them” represents being concerned about them and helping them. Alternate translation: “he does not care about them anymore”

Lamentations 4:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Our eyes failed, looking in vain for help (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Their eyes failing represents their seeking and not being able to find what they were looking for. These two phrases together emphasize that they were trying hard to find help. Alternate translation: “We continued looking, but we could not find anyone to help us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for help (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word help, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “for people to help us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in vain (0)

without succeeding

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: we watched for a nation that could not rescue us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “watched” represents hoping. It can be stated clearly that they were hoping that a nation would come and rescue them. Alternate translation: “we hoped for a nation to come and rescue us, but it could not rescue us” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Lamentations 4:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They followed our steps (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “our steps” represents where they went. Alternate translation: “Our enemies followed us everywhere we went”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Our end was near (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “near” is a metaphor for “soon.” Alternate translation: “Our end would be soon” or “Our enemies would soon destroy us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Our end (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This could mean: (1) “Our end” refers to the end of living in their own city because their enemies would destroy the city and capture them. Alternate translation: “Our destruction” or “Our capture” or (2) “Our end” refers to the end of their lives. Alternate translation: “Our death” or “The time for us to die”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: our days were numbered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being numbered represents being so few that they could be easily counted. Alternate translation: “we had very little time”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: our end had come (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The phrase “had come” means that what they had expected was now happening. Alternate translation: “it was now the end for us” or “our enemies were attacking us”

Lamentations 4:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles in the sky (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The author compares the speed of their pursuers to the speed of eagles flying. Eagles fly very quickly to catch other animals. Alternate translation: “Those who were chasing us were faster than eagles”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: lay in wait for us (0)

Alternate translation: “waited to attack us”

Lamentations 4:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he was the one who was captured in their pits (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “pits” refers to the enemies’ plans to capture him. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he was the one whom our enemies captured by their plans” or “our enemies made plans to capture our king, and they did capture him” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: of whom it was said (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish

This phrase with the quote following it gives us more information about the king. The quote shows what the people had hoped the king would do for them before he was trapped. It can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “even though we had said about him” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Under his shadow we will live among the nations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “his shadow” represents him protecting them. Alternate translation: “Under his protection we will live among the nations” or “Though we may have to live in other nations, he will protect us”

Lamentations 4:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Rejoice and be glad (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

“Rejoice” and “be glad” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of gladness. The writer uses these words to mock the people. He knew that the people of Edom would be glad that Jerusalem is being destroyed. Alternate translation: “Be very glad” (See also: Irony)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: daughter of Edom (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The people of the land of Edom are spoken of as if they were a woman. They were Israel’s enemy.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But to you also the cup will be passed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The cup is a metonym for the wine in it. The wine is a metaphor for punishment. Alternate translation: “But Yahweh will also punish you” (See also: Metonymy)

Lamentations 4:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Daughter of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The people of Jerusalem are spoken of as if they were a woman.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your punishment will come to an end (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

“your punishment will end.” The abstract noun punishment can be expressed with the verb “punish.” Alternate translation: “Yahweh will stop punishing you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will not extend your exile (0)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh will not make your time in exile longer” or “Yahweh will not make you stay in exile longer”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will uncover your sins (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the sins not being known by others are spoken of as if they are under a cover. Removing the cover represents letting other people know about them. Alternate translation: “he will expose your sins” or “he will cause other people to know how you have sinned”

Lamentations 5

Lamentations 5 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Judah was destroyed for her sin. As slaves, life was very hard. The author wondered if God would be angry forever. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and eternity, everlasting, eternal, forever)

Lamentations 5:1

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

General Information:

A new poem begins. (See also: Parallelism and Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Remember, Yahweh, what has happened to us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

“Remember” here is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, think about what has happened to us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: look and see our disgrace (0)

Alternate translation: “look at the shameful state we are in”

Lamentations 5:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers; our houses to foreigners (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The idea of things being turned over to others can be expressed with an active form. Since it is also understood in the second part of the sentence, those words can be repeated there. Alternate translation: “You have turned our inheritance over to strangers; you have turned our houses over to strangers” or “You have allowed strangers to take possession of our inheritance; you have allowed foreigners to take possession of our houses” (See also: Ellipsis)

Lamentations 5:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: We have become orphans … our mothers are like widows (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people of Jerusalem have no one to protect them because the men have either died in battle or have gone into exile. This speaks of the people not having their fathers and husbands present as if they had actually become orphans and widows. (See also: Simile)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: orphans, the fatherless (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases have the same meaning and emphasize that the people no longer have their fathers. Alternate translation: “orphans who have no fathers”

Lamentations 5:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: We must pay silver for the water we drink … our own wood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means that their enemies are making them pay money to have the water and wood that they once used for free. Alternate translation: “We have to pay silver to our enemies in order to drink our own water … our own wood”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: we must pay silver to get our own wood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “our enemies sell us our own wood”

Lamentations 5:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Those who are coming after us (0)

“Our enemies who are chasing after us.” This refers to the Babylonian army.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: we can find no rest (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of being able to rest as if “rest” were an object that could be found. Alternate translation: “we are unable to rest”

Lamentations 5:6

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Quote: We have given ourselves to Egypt and to Assyria to get enough food (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This phrase “given ourselves” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “We have made a treaty with Egypt and with Assyria so that we would have food to eat” or “We have surrendered to Egypt and to Assyria to have enough food to remain alive”

Lamentations 5:7

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Quote: they are no more (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

This refers to them being dead. Alternate translation: “they have died”

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Quote: we bear their iniquities (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “iniquities” represents the punishment received because of their ancestors’ sins. Alternate translation: “we bear the punishment for their sins”

Lamentations 5:8

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Quote: Slaves rule over us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This could mean: (1) “Now the people who rule over us are themselves slaves to their own masters in Babylon” or (2) “People who used to be slaves in Babylon now rule over us.”

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Quote: to deliver us from their hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” refers to control. Alternate translation: “to rescue us from their control”

Lamentations 5:9

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Quote: bread (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “bread” refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “food”

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Quote: because of the sword in the wilderness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here robbers with swords are represented by their “swords.” Alternate translation: “because there are robbers in the wilderness who kill others with swords”

Lamentations 5:10

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Quote: Our skin has grown as hot as an oven because of the burning heat of hunger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This speaks of the peoples’ bodies being hot and feverish as if their skin was as hot as an oven. The people have fever because of their hunger. Alternate translation: “Our skin has become hot like an oven, and we have a very high fever because we are extremely hungry”

Lamentations 5:11

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Quote: Women are raped in Zion, and virgins in the cities of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases have similar meaning and emphasize that the women are being violated. The words “are raped” are understood in the second part of this sentence and can be repeated. Alternate translation: “Women are raped in Zion, and virgins are raped in the cities of Judah” (See also: Ellipsis)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Women are raped … and virgins (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Our enemies have raped the women … and the virgins” or “Our enemies have violated the women … and the virgins”

Lamentations 5:12

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Quote: Princes are hung up by their own hands (0)

This could mean: (1) the word “their” refers to their enemies. Alternate translation: “With their own hands, they hung princes” or (2) they tied each prince’s hands together with one end of a rope and tied the other end so the prince’s feet could not touch the ground.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no honor is shown to the elders (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they have shown no honor to the elders”

Lamentations 5:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Young men are forced (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “They force young men”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: boys stagger under heavy loads of wood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The boys are forced to carry the loads of wood. Alternate translation: “boys stagger because they are forced to carry heavy loads of wood” or “they force the boys to carry heavy loads of wood which make them stagger”

Lamentations 5:14

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Quote: the city gate (0)

This is where the elders would give legal advice, but also where people would meet socially.

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Quote: the young men have left their music (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Playing music was part of the social life at the city gate. This speaks of the men no longer playing their music as if the act of playing music were a place that they left. Alternate translation: “the young men have stopped playing their music”

Lamentations 5:15

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Quote: The joy of our heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the word “heart” refers to the whole person and emphasizes their emotions. Alternate translation: “Our joy”

Lamentations 5:16

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Quote: The crown has fallen from our head (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This could mean: (1) “We no longer wear flowers on our heads for celebrations” or (2) The “crown” represents their king and their “head” represents a place of authority over the people. Alternate translation: “We no longer have a king”

Lamentations 5:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For this our heart has become sick (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The “heart” represents a person’s emotions. This speaks of a person being discouraged as if their emotions were sick. Alternate translation: “Because of this we are discouraged” (See also: Metaphor)

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Quote: for these things our eyes grow dim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means that they have a hard time seeing because they are crying. Alternate translation: “and we can hardly see because our eyes are full of tears”

Lamentations 5:18

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Quote: for Mount Zion lies desolate (0)

Here “Mount Zion” refers to Jerusalem. The phrase “lies desolate” means that no one lives there.

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Quote: jackals (0)

These are fierce wild dogs. See how you translated this in Lamentations 4:3.

Lamentations 5:19

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Quote: sit upon your throne (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here sitting on the throne represents ruling as king. Alternate translation: “rule as king”

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Quote: from generation to generation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “always”

Lamentations 5:20

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Quote: Why do you forget us forever? Why do you forsake us for the length of your days? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The author uses these rhetorical questions to express his feelings that Yahweh has forgotten them. These questions can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “It is as though you will forget us forever or not come back to us for a very long time!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for the length of your days (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here this idiom refers to the duration of God’s life. Since God lives forever, it can also be translated as “forever.” Perhaps the writer was uing hyperbole and exaggerating the length of time he believed that God was forsaking them. Alternate translation: “for as long as you live” or “forever” (See also: Hyperbole)

Lamentations 5:21

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Quote: Restore us to yourself (0)

Alternate translation: “Bring us back to yourself”

Lamentations 5:22

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Quote: unless you have utterly rejected us and you are angry with us beyond measure (0)

This could mean: (1) that the writer is afraid that Yahweh might be too angry to restore them or (2) that he is saying that Yahweh is too angry to restore them.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: are angry with us beyond measure (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

This speaks of Yahweh being very angry as if his anger cannot be measured. This is an exaggeration. Alternate translation: “are extremely angry with us”