Lamentations 2:4

Authorized King James Version

He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
דָּרַ֨ךְ
He hath bent
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
#2
קַשְׁתּ֜וֹ
his bow
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
#3
כְּאוֹיֵ֗ב
like an enemy
hating; an adversary
#4
נִצָּ֤ב
he stood
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
#5
יְמִינוֹ֙
with 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
#6
כְּצָ֔ר
as an adversary
a pebble (as in h6864)
#7
וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֔ג
and slew
to smite with deadly intent
#8
כֹּ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
מַחֲמַדֵּי
all that were pleasant
delightful; hence, a delight, i.e., object of affection or desire
#10
עָ֑יִן
to the eye
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#11
בְּאֹ֙הֶל֙
in the tabernacle
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#12
בַּת
of the daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#13
צִיּ֔וֹן
of Zion
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
#14
שָׁפַ֥ךְ
he poured 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
#15
כָּאֵ֖שׁ
like fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#16
חֲמָתֽוֹ׃
his fury
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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

Questions for Reflection