Lamentations 2:9

Authorized King James Version

Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
טָבְע֤וּ
are sunk
to sink
#2
בָאָ֙רֶץ֙
into the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#3
שְׁעָרֶ֔יהָ
Her gates
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#4
אִבַּ֥ד
H6
he hath destroyed
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
#5
וְשִׁבַּ֖ר
and broken
to burst (literally or figuratively)
#6
בְּרִיחֶ֑יהָ
her bars
a bolt
#7
מַלְכָּ֨הּ
her king
a king
#8
וְשָׂרֶ֤יהָ
and her princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#9
בַגּוֹיִם֙
are among the Gentiles
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#10
אֵ֣ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#11
תּוֹרָ֔ה
the law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#12
גַּם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#13
נְבִיאֶ֕יהָ
is no more her prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#14
לֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
מָצְא֥וּ
also find
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#16
חָז֖וֹן
no vision
a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle
#17
מֵיְהוָֽה׃
from the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

Within the broader context of Lamentations, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection