Lamentations 4:21
Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.
Original Language Analysis
וְשִׂמְחִי֙
and be glad
H8055
וְשִׂמְחִי֙
and be glad
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
2 of 13
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
בַּת
O daughter
H1323
בַּת
O daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
3 of 13
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
אֱד֔וֹם
of Edom
H123
אֱד֔וֹם
of Edom
Strong's:
H123
Word #:
4 of 13
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
יוֹשֶׁ֖בֶתי
that dwellest
H3427
יוֹשֶׁ֖בֶתי
that dwellest
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
ע֑וּץ
of Uz
H5780
ע֑וּץ
of Uz
Strong's:
H5780
Word #:
7 of 13
uts, a son of aram, also a seirite, and the regions settled by them
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
עָלַ֙יִךְ֙
H5921
עָלַ֙יִךְ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תַּעֲבָר
also shall pass
H5674
תַּעֲבָר
also shall pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
10 of 13
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
כּ֔וֹס
the cup
H3563
כּ֔וֹס
the cup
Strong's:
H3563
Word #:
11 of 13
a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)
Cross References
Revelation 16:15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.Job 1:1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.Amos 1:11Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:Psalms 137:7Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
Historical Context
Edom, descended from Esau (Jacob's brother), harbored ancestral hatred toward Israel. When Babylon besieged Jerusalem, Edom aided the enemy, plundered refugees, and celebrated the city's fall. Obadiah and Psalm 137 detail their treachery. Edom was later conquered by Nabateans (4th century BC) and eventually disappeared as a people—the 'cup' passed to them indeed.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you ever celebrated another's downfall, only to later experience similar judgment yourself? What does this teach about schadenfreude?
- How does this prophetic irony demonstrate that God will vindicate His people even when their discipline seems to give enemies grounds for mockery?
Analysis & Commentary
Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom (שִׂישִׂי וְשִׂמְחִי בַּת־אֱדוֹם, sisi vesimchi bat-Edom)—This is biting irony, even sarcasm. Edom rejoiced at Jerusalem's fall (Psalm 137:7; Obadiah 1:12), but their celebration is premature. The cup also shall pass through unto thee (גַּם־עָלַיִךְ תַּעֲבָר־כּוֹס, gam-alayikh ta'avor-kos)—'the cup' refers to God's wrath (Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15-29). Edom's turn is coming. Thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked (תִּשְׁכְּרִי וְתִתְעָרִי, tishkeri vetit'ari)—imagery of judgment-induced shame. Edom's gloating over Israel's humiliation will be repaid in kind. This prophetic irony vindicates divine justice.