John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets , etc.] That were brought up in the king’s palace, or in the houses of noblemen; or, however, born of parents rich and wealthy, and had been used to good living, and had fared sumptuously and deliciously every day, were now wandering about in the streets in the most forlorn and distressed condition, seeking for food of any sort, but could find none to satisfy their hunger; and so, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, perished in the ways or streets: they that were brought up in scarlet : in dyed garments, as Jarchi; clothed with scarlet coloured ones, as was the manner of the richer and better sort of people, ( Proverbs 31:21); or, “brought up upon scarlet” f110 ; upon scarlet carpets, on which they used to sit and eat their food, as is the custom of the eastern people to this day: these embrace dunghills , are glad of them, and with the greatest eagerness rake into them, in order to find something to feed upon, though ever so base and vile; or to sit and lie down upon. Aben Ezra interprets it of their being cast here when dead, and there was none to bury them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Lamentation for the misery of Jerusalem.
Lam. 2:1-9 A sad representation is here made of the state of God' church, of Jacob and Israel; but the notice seems mostly to refer to the hand of the Lord in their calamities. Yet God is not an enemy to his people, when he is angry with them and corrects them. And gates an bars stand in no stead when God withdraws his protection. It is jus with God to cast down those by judgments, who debase themselves by sin and to deprive those of the benefit and comfort of sabbaths an ordinances, who have not duly valued nor observed them. What shoul they do with Bibles, who make no improvement of them? Those who misus God's prophets, justly lose them. It becomes necessary, though painful to turn the thoughts of the afflicted to the hand of God lifted u against them, and to their sins as the source of their miseries.
Lam. 2:10-22 Causes for lamentation are described. Multitudes perishe by famine. Even little children were slain by their mother's hands, an eaten, according to the threatening, Deut. 28:53. Multitudes fell by the sword. Their false prophets deceived them. And their neighbour laughed at them. It is a great sin to jest at others' miseries, an adds much affliction to the afflicted. Their enemies triumphed ove them. The enemies of the church are apt to take its shocks for it ruins; but they will find themselves deceived. Calls to lamentation ar given; and comforts for the cure of these lamentations are sought Prayer is a salve for every sore, even the sorest; a remedy for ever malady, even the most grievous. Our business in prayer is to refer ou case to the Lord, and leave it with him. His will be done. Let us fea God, and walk humbly before him, and take heed lest we fall _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew האכלים398 למעדנים4574 נשׁמו8074 בחוצות2351 האמנים539 עלי5921 תולע8438 חבקו2263 אשׁפתות׃830
