Lamentations 1:9

Authorized King James Version

Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
טֻמְאָתָ֣הּ
Her filthiness
religious impurity
#2
בְּשׁוּלֶ֗יהָ
is in her skirts
a skirt; by implication, a bottom edge
#3
לֹ֤א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#4
זָֽכְרָה֙
she remembereth
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#5
אַחֲרִיתָ֔הּ
not her last end
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
#6
וַתֵּ֣רֶד
therefore she came 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
#7
פְּלָאִ֔ים
wonderfully
a miracle
#8
אֵ֥ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#9
מְנַחֵ֖ם
she had no 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
#10
לָ֑הּ
H0
#11
רְאֵ֤ה
behold
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#12
יְהוָה֙
O LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
עָנְיִ֔י
my affliction
depression, i.e., misery
#15
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#16
הִגְדִּ֖יל
hath magnified
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
#17
אוֹיֵֽב׃
for the enemy
hating; an adversary

Analysis

Within the broader context of Lamentations, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Lamentations's theological argument.

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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection