This short book commemorates the desolation of Jerusalem and is still read aloud in Jewish synagogues during July to mark the anniversary of the destruction of the temple (587 BC). It is also frequently recited by worshipers at the wailing wall.
In the Hebrew, the title is the interjection “how,” the first word of chapter 1. It is used twice more (2:1; 4:1) and draws attention to the writer’s amazement, despair and shock at what has become of Jerusalem.
The writer
The Greek Septuagint version prefixes a short introduction to this book: “And it came to pass after Israel had been led into captivity, and Jerusalem had been laid waste, Jeremiah sat weeping, and lamented over Jerusalem, and said, ‘How…” implying that Jeremiah was the author.
Many agree with this ancient assessment and the title “Lamentations of Jeremiah” is attached to some (KJV and RSV), but not all English versions (NIV) of the book.
The structure
One noticeable feature of Lamentations, in the Hebrew, is its acrostic structure. All but chapter 5 consist of verse sequences that, with few exceptions, run through the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet in alphabetical order. Chapters 1,2 and 4 cycle through the Hebrew alphabet with each verse starting with each successive letter. In chapter 3, three consecutive verses start with the same letter before the next letter is used.
To meet the restrictions of the acrostic pattern, the writer has adopted a meticulous writing style, carefully choosing his words.
Memorization is facilitated by this feature and is found elsewhere (Psalms 37, 111, 112 and 119 and Prov. 31:10-31).
The date
Since this is not a prophetical book, Lamentations was written sometime after the fall of Jerusalem. That date is given as the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kgs. 25:8) which is about 586 BC.
Details of the attack are given in 2 Kings 25:9-12 where it records that the attackers stole treasure from the house of the Lord and burnt all the houses with fire. The Lamentations of Jeremiah elaborate on the physical attack and outline the cause and significance of the utter desolation that came upon Jerusalem.
Chapter 1 — The tone
The book begins abruptly with the exclamation “How…!” and underscores the pain and grief the author felt at these events.
The ravage of Jerusalem was no historical accident. “The LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions” (1:5). “Jerusalem hath grievously sinned” (1:8).
Long before, God had warned Israel of the consequences of disobedience: “…I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste” (Lev. 26:32,33).
One point stressed from the beginning of the book is that “she hath none to comfort her.” Her enemies rejoiced at her troubles and her friends became her enemies (1:2,9,17,21). Any comforter that could relieve her was far off.
Chapter 2 — God’s work
Chapter two begins with a question: “How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!” (2:1). This chapter makes it abundantly clear that God is behind the sorry events that have happened. He is the enemy of Jerusalem; He is the one who swallowed up Israel.
While He was behind the destruction, He could still be appealed to. Jerusalem must take the initiative and cry from the heart, pouring out her appeal before the face of the Lord (2:18,19). Comfort might then be received.
Chapter 3 — Contrasts
The third chapter begins with a contrast to Psalm 23. Whereas the rod and staff comforted the Psalmist (Psa. 23:4), Jeremiah says he “hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath” (Lam. 3:1). Also compare Lamentations 3:4 with Psalm 23:3 and Lamentations 3:11 with Psalm 23:5, both of which suggest that Israel no longer perceived the Lord God as a shepherd.
Other phrases in this chapter have links with events in Jeremiah’s life, substantiating the claim he is the writer. “I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day” (Lam. 3:14) finds its counterpart in “…I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me” (Jer. 20:7).
The climax of the book also occurs in this chapter. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion’s fail not…The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD” (3:22-26).
In spite of the desolation, there was hope if they would only seek God. They had forsaken God but “the LORD will not cast off for ever” (3:31).
Chapter 4 — The famine
Chapter 4 describes the impact of the famine on the inhabitants. “They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field. The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of my people” (4:9,10 cp. Deut. 28:56,57).
Chapter 5 — Need to repent
Another recounting is given of the atrocities that have befallen them because of their sins (5:7,16). Eventually, a final plea is made: “Turn thou us unto thee, 0 LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old” (v.21). The book then ends on a discordant note: “But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us” (5:22).
It is said that in the public reading of the Hebrew text verse 21 is repeated in place of verse 22 so the devotion might end with comfort. That does not solve the stalemate, however. The only workable solution is for Israel to repent and turn unto the Lord God. It must be our solution, too, when we have broken His commandments.
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