Lamentations 2:11

Authorized King James Version

Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כָּל֨וּ
do fail
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#2
בַדְּמָע֤וֹת
with tears
weeping
#3
עֵינַי֙
Mine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#4
חֳמַרְמְר֣וּ
are troubled
properly, to boil up; hence, to glow (with redness)
#5
מֵעַ֔י
my bowels
used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru
#6
נִשְׁפַּ֤ךְ
is poured
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#7
לָאָ֙רֶץ֙
upon the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
כְּבֵדִ֔י
my liver
the liver (as the heaviest of the viscera)
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
שֶׁ֖בֶר
for the destruction
a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)
#11
בַּת
of the daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#12
עַמִּ֑י
of my people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#13
בֵּֽעָטֵ֤ף
swoon
to shroud, i.e., clothe (whether transitive or reflexive); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish
#14
עוֹלֵל֙
because the children
a suckling
#15
וְיוֹנֵ֔ק
and the sucklings
to suck; causatively, to give milk
#16
בִּרְחֹב֖וֹת
in the streets
a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area
#17
קִרְיָֽה׃
of the city
a city

Analysis

Within the broader context of Lamentations, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of covenant community connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant community, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Lamentations.

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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection