Lamentations 4:22

Authorized King James Version

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The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.

Original Language Analysis

תַּם is accomplished H8552
תַּם is accomplished
Strong's: H8552
Word #: 1 of 14
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
עֲוֹנֵךְ֙ The punishment of thine iniquity H5771
עֲוֹנֵךְ֙ The punishment of thine iniquity
Strong's: H5771
Word #: 2 of 14
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
בַּת O daughter H1323
בַּת O daughter
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 3 of 14
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
צִיּ֔וֹן of Zion H6726
צִיּ֔וֹן of Zion
Strong's: H6726
Word #: 4 of 14
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוֹסִ֖יף he will no more H3254
יוֹסִ֖יף he will no more
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 6 of 14
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
גִּלָּ֖ה carry thee away into captivity H1540
גִּלָּ֖ה carry thee away into captivity
Strong's: H1540
Word #: 7 of 14
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
פָּקַ֤ד he will visit H6485
פָּקַ֤ד he will visit
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 8 of 14
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עֲוֹנֵךְ֙ The punishment of thine iniquity H5771
עֲוֹנֵךְ֙ The punishment of thine iniquity
Strong's: H5771
Word #: 9 of 14
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
בַּת O daughter H1323
בַּת O daughter
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 10 of 14
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 #: 11 of 14
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
גִּלָּ֖ה carry thee away into captivity H1540
גִּלָּ֖ה carry thee away into captivity
Strong's: H1540
Word #: 12 of 14
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 13 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
חַטֹּאתָֽיִךְ׃ thy sins H2403
חַטֹּאתָֽיִךְ׃ thy sins
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 14 of 14
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

Analysis & Commentary

The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion (תַּם־עֲוֹנֵךְ בַּת־צִיּוֹן, tam-avonekh bat-tsiyon)—'Accomplished' (tam) means completed, finished. The judicial sentence has been fully served. He will no more carry thee away into captivity (לֹא יוֹסִיף לְהַגְלוֹתֵךְ, lo yosif lehaglotek)—'no more' (lo yosif) promises an end to exile. This is prophetic hope: judgment is temporary, restoration is coming. He will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins (פָּקַד עֲוֹנֵךְ בַּת־אֱדוֹם גִּלָּה עַל־חַטֹּאתָיִךְ, paqad avonekh bat-Edom gilah al-chatotayikh)—'visit' (paqad) means to attend to, punish. Edom's hidden treachery ('discover' = reveal, expose) will be judged. The book ends with contrasting futures: Israel's punishment complete, Edom's beginning.

Historical Context

This prophetic word was fulfilled: Judah returned after 70 years (539 BC under Cyrus). Though Israel experienced later exiles, the Babylonian captivity was unique and never repeated in that form. Edom's judgment came gradually but comprehensively—they ceased to exist as a people. The final verse of Lamentations thus ends not in despair but hope.

Questions for Reflection