Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 4. A whirlwind came out of the north] Nebuchadnezzar, whose land, Babylonia, lay north of Judea. Chaldea is thus frequently denominated by Jeremiah.
A great cloud, and a fire infolding itself] A mass of fire concentrated in a vast cloud, that the flames might be more distinctly observable, the fire never escaping from the cloud, but issuing, and then returning in upon itself. It was in a state of powerful agitation; but always involving itself, or returning back to the center whence it appeared to issue.
A brightness was about it] A fine tinge of light surrounded the cloud, in order to make its limits the more discernible; beyond which verge the turmoiling fire did not proceed.
The colour of amber] This was in the center of the cloud; and this amber-coloured substance was the center of the labouring flame. The word hlektron, which we translate amber, was used to signify a compound metal, very bright, made of gold and brass.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The deplorable state of the nation is contrasted with its ancien prosperity.
Lam. 4:1-12 What a change is here! Sin tarnishes the beauty of the mos exalted powers and the most excellent gifts; but that gold, tried in the fire, which Christ bestows, never will be taken from us; it outward appearance may be dimmed, but its real value can never be changed. The horrors of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem ar again described. Beholding the sad consequences of sin in the church of old, let us seriously consider to what the same causes may justly brin down the church now. But, Lord, though we have gone from thee in rebellion, yet turn to us, and turn our hearts to thee, that we ma fear thy name. Come to us, bless us with awakening, converting renewing, confirming grace.
Lam. 4:13-20 Nothing ripens a people more for ruin, nor fills the measure faster, than the sins of priests and prophets. The king himsel cannot escape, for Divine vengeance pursues him. Our anointed Kin alone is the life of our souls; we may safely live under his shadow and rejoice in Him in the midst of our enemies, for He is the true God and eternal life.
Lam. 4:21,22 Here it is foretold that an end should be put to Zion' troubles. Not the fulness of punishment deserved, but of what God ha determined to inflict. An end shall be put to Edom's triumphs. All the troubles of the church and of the believer will soon be accomplished And the doom of their enemies approaches. The Lord will bring their sins to light, and they shall lie down in eternal sorrow. Edom her represents all the enemies of the church. And the corruption, and sin of Israel, which the prophet has proved to be universal, justifies the judgments of the Lord. It shows the need of that grace in Christ Jesus which the sin and corruption of all mankind make so necessary _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew וארא7200 והנה2009 רוח7307 סערה5591 באה935 מן4480 הצפון6828 ענן6051 גדול1419 ואשׁ784 מתלקחת3947 ונגה5051 לו סביב5439 ומתוכה8432 כעין5869 החשׁמל2830 מתוך8432 האשׁ׃784
