Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Lamentations 2
the LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim say they altered "Jehovah" of the primitive text to "Adonai". See App-32.
the beauty of Israel. Probably referring to the Temple (Isaiah 64:11), or the heroic defenders of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 1:19).
Israel. Referring to the spiritual seed. See note on Lamentations 1:17.
His footstool. Probably referring to the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 28:2), or the sanctuary (Psalms 99:5; Psalms 132:7. Isaiah 60:13).
swallowed up: i.e. as by an earthquake.
habitations = the open villages of the shepherds, in contrast with the strongholds of the next lines.
horn. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the self-protection afforded by it.
right hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.
His bow. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.
all that were pleasant to the eye. Hebrew = all the desires of the eye; "eye" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Adjunct), for the things desired by it.
eye. Transfer here the colon which is wrongly placed after Zion.
tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. "ohel. App-40.
Zion: place this colon after "eye" in preceding line, and connect Zion with the verb which follows.
her. Ginsburg thinks it should be "His".
mourning and lamentation. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6). Hebrew. taaniyyah vaaniyyah.
tabernacle = dwelling, or pavilion. Hebrew. sok. Occurs only here.
as if it were of a garden: or, as [a booth in] a garden [is destroyed] See note on Isaiah 1:8. Septuagint reads "like a vine". Ginsburg thinks "like a thief".
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
solemn feasts = appointed seasons.
ground = earth.
her king, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:36). App-92.
Gentiles = nations.
the law is no more: i.e. is no longer known and obeyed. Compare Nehemiah 13:1, and Esd Lamentations 14:20, Lamentations 14:21.
troubled = moved, or in ferment.
liver. Figure of speech for the seat of the emotions. Compare Job 16:13.
children = babes.
prophets, &c. Compare Ezekiel 12:24; Ezekiel 13:1-16, Ezekiel 13:23; Ezekiel 21:29; Ezekiel 22:28.
turn away thy captivity = cause thy captives to return. See note on Deuteronomy 30:3.
burdens = oracles.
causes of banishment. Here, the Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, is translated. Hebrew = expulsions, which is put for the effect of listening to those who brought about the expulsion (Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 5:31; Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 23:16).
pass by = pass by the way.
saying. Note the Ellipsis of this verb, which is very frequent in Hebrew. See Psalms 109:5; Psalms 114:12, &c.
Is . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.
All, &c. In some Codices, with Syriac, Lamentations 2:16 and Lamentations 2:17 are transposed to bring the letters Ayin and Pe into alphabetical order. The Septuagint leaves the verses, but transposes the letters. This is done because it is supposed to be a mistake. But it cannot be, because the same order appears in Lamentations 3 and Lamentations 4, and in the former case it occurs three times, although the subject-matter allows no such break. It is easier to believe that the outward artificial form is sacrificed to call our attention to the greater importance of the utterance. In Lamentations 2:16 we learn what the enemy thought and said; but, as the Ayin really precedes the Pe, so we are reminded that this was only owing to Jehovah's purpose which had been revealed centuries before. See note on Lamentations 2:17.
For the transposition of the Hebrew alphabet here, see note on Lamentations 2:16, above.
devised. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:16, Leviticus 26:17. Deuteronomy 28:15).
consider. Put a colon after "consider", and an"? "after "this".
Shall . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:29. Deuteronomy 28:53). App-92.
span. See App-51.
solemn day = day of assembly.
terrors round about. Compare Jeremiah 6:25; Jeremiah 20:3, Jeremiah 20:10; Jeremiah 46:5; Jeremiah 49:29.
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