Lamentations 2:19

Authorized King James Version

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ק֣וּמִי׀
H6965
Arise
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#2
רֹ֣נִּי
H7442
cry out
properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)
#3
בַלַּ֗יְלָ
H3915
in the night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#4
בְּרֹ֥אשׁ
H7218
in the beginning
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#5
אַשְׁמֻר֔וֹת
H821
of the watches
a night watch
#6
שִׁפְכִ֤י
H8210
pour out
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
כַמַּ֙יִם֙
H4325
like water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#8
לִבֵּ֔ךְ
H3820
thine heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#9
נֹ֖כַח
H5227
before
properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of
#10
פְּנֵ֣י
H6440
the face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#11
אֲדֹנָ֑י
H136
of the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#12
שְׂאִ֧י
H5375
lift up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#13
אֵלָ֣יו
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
כַּפַּ֗יִךְ
H3709
thy 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-
#15
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
נֶ֙פֶשׁ֙
H5315
toward him for the life
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#17
עֽוֹלָלַ֔יִךְ
H5768
of thy young children
a suckling
#18
הָעֲטוּפִ֥ים
H5848
that faint
to shroud, i.e., clothe (whether transitive or reflexive); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish
#19
בְּרָעָ֖ב
H7458
for hunger
hunger (more or less extensive)
#20
בְּרֹ֥אשׁ
H7218
in the beginning
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#21
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#22
חוּצֽוֹת׃
H2351
of every street
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

Analysis

Within the broader context of Lamentations, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of life connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about life, 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 life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection