Lamentations 2:3

Authorized King James Version

He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
גָּדַ֣ע
He hath cut off
to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything
#2
בָּֽחֳרִי
in his fierce
a burning (i.e., intense) anger
#3
אַ֗ף
anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#4
כֹּ֚ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
קֶ֣רֶן
all the horn
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
#6
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#7
הֵשִׁ֥יב
he hath drawn
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#8
אָח֛וֹר
back
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
#9
יְמִינ֖וֹ
his right hand
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
#10
מִפְּנֵ֣י
from 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
#11
אוֹיֵ֑ב
the enemy
hating; an adversary
#12
וַיִּבְעַ֤ר
and he burned
to be(-come) brutish
#13
בְּיַעֲקֹב֙
against Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#14
כְּאֵ֣שׁ
fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#15
לֶֽהָבָ֔ה
like a flaming
flame
#16
אָכְלָ֖ה
which devoureth
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#17
סָבִֽיב׃
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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