Lamentations 1:16

Authorized King James Version

For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#2
אֵ֣לֶּה׀
these or those
#3
אֲנִ֣י
i
#4
בוֹכִיָּ֗ה
For these things I weep
to weep; generally to bemoan
#5
עֵינִי֙
mine eye
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#6
עֵינִי֙
mine eye
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#7
יֹ֣רְדָה
runneth down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#8
מַּ֔יִם
with water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#9
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
רָחַ֥ק
is far
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
#11
מִמֶּ֛נִּי
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#12
מְנַחֵ֖ם
because the comforter
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
#13
מֵשִׁ֣יב
that should relieve
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#14
נַפְשִׁ֑י
my soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#15
הָי֤וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#16
בָנַי֙
from me my children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
שֽׁוֹמֵמִ֔ים
are desolate
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
#18
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#19
גָבַ֖ר
prevailed
to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently
#20
אוֹיֵֽב׃
because the enemy
hating; an adversary

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Lamentations. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection