Add parallel Print Page Options

The Lord was so furiously angry
that he wiped out
    the whole army[a] of Israel
by not supporting them
    when the enemy attacked.
He was like a raging fire
that swallowed up
    the descendants of Jacob.
He attacked like an enemy
with a bow and arrows,
    killing our loved ones.
He has burned to the ground
    the homes on Mount Zion.[b]

The Lord was like an enemy!
    He left Israel in ruins
with its palaces
    and fortresses destroyed,
and with everyone in Judah
    moaning and weeping.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2.3 army: The Hebrew text has “horn,” which refers to the horn of a bull, one of the most powerful animals in ancient Palestine.
  2. 2.4 the homes on Mount Zion: Or “the temple on Mount Zion.”

In fierce anger he has cut off
    every horn[a][b](A) of Israel.
He has withdrawn his right hand(B)
    at the approach of the enemy.
He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire
    that consumes everything around it.(C)

Like an enemy he has strung his bow;(D)
    his right hand is ready.
Like a foe he has slain
    all who were pleasing to the eye;(E)
he has poured out his wrath(F) like fire(G)
    on the tent(H) of Daughter Zion.

The Lord is like an enemy;(I)
    he has swallowed up Israel.
He has swallowed up all her palaces
    and destroyed her strongholds.(J)
He has multiplied mourning and lamentation(K)
    for Daughter Judah.(L)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 2:3 Or off / all the strength; or every king
  2. Lamentations 2:3 Horn here symbolizes strength.