The Strand Study Bible

LAMENTATIONS

Author: Jeremiah Theme: Lamenting Over Jerusalem’s Destruction Book’s Main Character: Jeremiah

About the Author: Jeremiah, whose name means “ Jehovah is High,” was the son of Hilkiah and a prophet to the nation of Judah. He lived and ministered in Anathoth and later in Jerusalem. Jeremiah began his ministry in the 13th year of King Josiah’s reign (627 BC) and prophesied during the reign of five different kings: Josiah , Jehoahaz , Jehoiakim , Jehoiachin , and Zedekiah . He was a contemporary of Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Obadiah in Jerusalem and of Daniel and Ezekiel who were prophets to the Jewish captives in Babylon. About the Book: Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations right after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC. It is a book of sorrow over the destruction of that city. Helpful Background: After Nabopolassar’s conquest of Ninevah (Assyria’s capitol) in 612 BC, the nation of Babylon began to emerge as a new world power. By 606 BC, Babylon had not only conquered Assyria, destroying its Assyrian/Egyptian coalition at Carchemish, but invaded Syria and Palestine as well. While pursuing the fleeing Egyptians to their very border, Nebuchadnezzar, Nabopolassar’s son, decided to invade Jerusalem for the first time in 605 BC. During that invasion Daniel and the rich people were taken captive (II Ki 24:1 and Dan 1:1-3). Nine years later Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem for the second time in 597 BC. This time Nebuchadnezzar took Ezekiel, King Jehoiachin, and 10,000 middle class people captive (II Ki 24:10-12 and II Chro 36:10). Nine years after that the third and final invasion began in January of 588 BC. The siege lasted for a year and a half. And though briefly interrupted by an Egyptian threat (Jere 37:3-5), it ended in August of 586 BC. King Zedekiah along with countless other Jews were taken captive as Jerusalem was burned and destroyed (II Kin 25:1-10). Notes of Interest : 1. Lamentations is not quoted in the NT. 2. Prophecies are referred to 2 times in the book of Lamentations (Lam 4:21-22). 3. There are no inset maps used in the book of Lamentations . Outline of Lamentations :

1. Jeremiah weeps over Jerusalem’s destruction (Lam 1) 2. The Lord’s anger toward Judah and Jerusalem (Lam 2) 3. Jeremiah’s grief over God’s use of him (Lam 3) 4. The utter desolation of Jerusalem (Lam 4) 5. Jeremiah pleads for restoration (Lam 5) Lamentations 1

her for the multitude of 8 her transgres- sions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy. 6 And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer. 7 Jerusalem 9 remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversar- ies saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths. 8 Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that hon- oured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward. 9 Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy 10 hath magnified himself. 10 The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: 11 for

1. or, “Jerusalem” 2. Ezra 4:20 3. II Ki 25:8-21 4. that is, “foreign nations that Jerusalem trusted in” - Ezk 16:37 5. that is, “the Babylonians” - II Ki 25:1-20 6. Deut 28:65 7. Deut 28:43 8. Deut 28:41 & II Ki 25:3-7 9. Psa 137:1 10. Hab 1:6-11 11. II Ki 25:13-17 & Psa 74:4-8

Jeremiah weeps over Jerusalem’s destruction (Note - This portion of Jeremiah’s prophecy took place in the 19th year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign) Date Written - 586 BC/AM 3414 1 How doth the 1 city sit solitary, that was full of people how is she become as a widow 2 she that was great among the na- tions, and princess among the provinces, how is she become 3 tributary 2 She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her 4 lov- ers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. 3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the 5 heathen, 6 she fin- deth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits. 4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her vir- gins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. 5 Her adversaries 7 are the chief, her en- emies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted

1238