Lamentations 1:22

Authorized King James Version

Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
תָּבֹ֨א
H935
come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
כָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
רָעָתָ֤ם
H7451
Let all their wickedness
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#4
לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
עוֹלַ֛לְתָּ
H5953
thee and do
to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)
#6
לָ֔מוֹ
H0
#7
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
עוֹלַ֛לְתָּ
H5953
thee and do
to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)
#9
לִ֖י
H0
#10
עַ֣ל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
פְּשָׁעָ֑י
H6588
unto me for all my transgressions
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
#13
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
רַבּ֥וֹת
H7227
are many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#15
אַנְחֹתַ֖י
H585
for my sighs
sighing
#16
וְלִבִּ֥י
H3820
and my heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#17
דַוָּֽי׃
H1742
is faint
sick; figuratively, troubled

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Lamentations Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection