Lamentations 2:15

Authorized King James Version

All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
סָֽפְק֨וּ
by clap
to clap the hands (in token of compact, derision, grief, indignation, or punishment); by implication of satisfaction, to be enough; by implication of
#2
עָלַ֤יִךְ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
כַּפַּ֙יִם֙
their hands
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
#4
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
עֹ֣בְרֵי
All that pass
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#6
דֶ֔רֶךְ
at thee
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#7
שָֽׁרְקוּ֙
they hiss
properly, to be shrill, i.e., to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn)
#8
וַיָּנִ֣עוּ
and wag
to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)
#9
רֹאשָׁ֔ם
their head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
בַּ֖ת
at the daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#12
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#13
הֲזֹ֣את
this (often used adverb)
#14
הָעִ֗יר
saying Is this the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#15
שֶׁיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙
that men call
to say (used with great latitude)
#16
כְּלִ֣ילַת
The perfection
complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully
#17
יֹ֔פִי
of beauty
beauty
#18
מָשׂ֖וֹשׂ
The joy
delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling)
#19
לְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
of the whole earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 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