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Lamentations 2:5

Lamentations 2:5 in Multiple Translations

The Lord is like an enemy; He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah.

The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

The Lord is become as an enemy, he hath swallowed up Israel; He hath swallowed up all her palaces, he hath destroyed his strongholds; And he hath multiplied in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

The Lord has become like one fighting against her, sending destruction on Israel; he has sent destruction on all her great houses, making waste his strong places: increasing the grief and the sorrow of the daughter of Judah.

The Lord has become like an enemy, completely destroying Israel and its palaces, demolishing its fortresses, making the Daughter of Judah cry and mourn more and more.

The Lord was as an enemie: he hath deuoured Israel, and consumed all his palaces: hee hath destroyed his strong holdes, and hath increased in the daughter of Iudah lamentation and mourning.

The Lord hath been as an enemy, He hath swallowed up Israel, He hath swallowed up all her palaces, He hath destroyed His fortresses, And He multiplieth in the daughter of Judah Mourning and moaning.

The Lord has become as an enemy. He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces. He has destroyed his strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation in the daughter of Judah.

The LORD was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

He. The Lord is become as an enemy: he hath cast down Israel headlong, he hath overthrown all the walls thereof: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath multiplied in the daughter of Juda the afflicted, both men and women.

Yahweh has become like an enemy to us Israelis; he has destroyed our palaces and caused our fortresses to become ruins. He has gotten rid of many people in Jerusalem, and caused us to mourn and weep for those who were killed.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 2:5

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Lamentations 2:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB הָיָ֨ה אֲדֹנָ֤/י כְּ/אוֹיֵב֙ בִּלַּ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּלַּע֙ כָּל אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֔י/הָ שִׁחֵ֖ת מִבְצָרָ֑י/ו וַ/יֶּ֨רֶב֙ בְּ/בַת יְהוּדָ֔ה תַּאֲנִיָּ֖ה וַ/אֲנִיָּֽה
הָיָ֨ה hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֲדֹנָ֤/י ʼĂdônây H136 Lord N-mp | Suff
כְּ/אוֹיֵב֙ ʼôyêb H341 enemy Prep | V-Qal
בִּלַּ֣ע bâlaʻ H1104 to swallow up V-Piel-Perf-3ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
בִּלַּע֙ bâlaʻ H1104 to swallow up V-Piel-Perf-3ms
כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms
אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֔י/הָ ʼarmôwn H759 citadel N-mp | Suff
שִׁחֵ֖ת shâchath H7843 to ruin V-Piel-Perf-3ms
מִבְצָרָ֑י/ו mibtsâr H4013 fortification N-mp | Suff
וַ/יֶּ֨רֶב֙ râbâh H7235 to multiply Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/בַת bath H1323 Bath (Shua) Prep | N-fs
יְהוּדָ֔ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 Judah N-proper
תַּאֲנִיָּ֖ה taʼănîyâh H8386 mourning N-fs
וַ/אֲנִיָּֽה ʼănîyâh H592 lamentation Conj | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 2:5

הָיָ֨ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
אֲדֹנָ֤/י ʼĂdônây H136 "Lord" N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
כְּ/אוֹיֵב֙ ʼôyêb H341 "enemy" Prep | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
בִּלַּ֣ע bâlaʻ H1104 "to swallow up" V-Piel-Perf-3ms
This word means to swallow or destroy something completely. It can be used to describe something being eaten up or destroyed, like in a natural disaster or a strong storm. The Bible uses it to convey total destruction.
Definition: 1) to swallow down, swallow up, engulf, eat up 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to swallow down 1a2) to swallow up, engulf 1b) (Niphal) to be swallowed up 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to swallow 1c2) to swallow up, engulf 1c3) squandering (fig.) 1d) (Pual) to be swallowed up 1e) (Hithpael) to be ended
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: cover, destroy, devour, eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up). See also: Genesis 41:7; Psalms 106:17; Psalms 21:10.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
בִּלַּע֙ bâlaʻ H1104 "to swallow up" V-Piel-Perf-3ms
This word means to swallow or destroy something completely. It can be used to describe something being eaten up or destroyed, like in a natural disaster or a strong storm. The Bible uses it to convey total destruction.
Definition: 1) to swallow down, swallow up, engulf, eat up 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to swallow down 1a2) to swallow up, engulf 1b) (Niphal) to be swallowed up 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to swallow 1c2) to swallow up, engulf 1c3) squandering (fig.) 1d) (Pual) to be swallowed up 1e) (Hithpael) to be ended
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: cover, destroy, devour, eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up). See also: Genesis 41:7; Psalms 106:17; Psalms 21:10.
כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֔י/הָ ʼarmôwn H759 "citadel" N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for a high palace or fortress, like a citadel, appears in the Bible as a place of strength and power. It is often translated as castle or palace in the KJV. This word is used to describe the strongholds of kings and rulers.
Definition: : palace citadel, palace, fortress Also means: ar.mon (אַרְמוֹן ": fortress" H0759H)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: castle, palace. Compare H2038 (הַרְמוֹן). See also: 1 Kings 16:18; Jeremiah 49:27; Psalms 48:4.
שִׁחֵ֖ת shâchath H7843 "to ruin" V-Piel-Perf-3ms
This verb means to ruin or destroy something, and it is used in various forms throughout the Bible to describe corruption and decay.
Definition: 1) to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay 1a) (Niphal) to be marred, be spoiled, be corrupted, be corrupt, be injured, be ruined, be rotted 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to spoil, ruin 1b2) to pervert, corrupt, deal corruptly (morally) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to spoil, ruin, destroy 1c2) to pervert, corrupt (morally) 1c3) destroyer (participle) 1d) (Hophal) spoiled, ruined (participle) Aramaic equivalent: she.chat (שְׁחַת "to corrupt" H7844)
Usage: Occurs in 136 OT verses. KJV: batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r). See also: Genesis 6:11; Psalms 14:1; Psalms 53:2.
מִבְצָרָ֑י/ו mibtsâr H4013 "fortification" N-mp | Suff
This word describes a strong, fortified place like a castle or a fenced city, providing protection and safety. It is used in the Bible to describe secure and defended locations.
Definition: fortification, fortress, fortified city, stronghold
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: (de-, most) fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold). See also: Numbers 13:19; Isaiah 34:13; Psalms 89:41.
וַ/יֶּ֨רֶב֙ râbâh H7235 "to multiply" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
בְּ/בַת bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" Prep | N-fs
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
יְהוּדָ֔ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 "Judah" N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
תַּאֲנִיָּ֖ה taʼănîyâh H8386 "mourning" N-fs
This word means mourning or lamentation, describing a state of grief. It appears in the Bible to convey sadness and sorrow. In the KJV, it is translated as heaviness or mourning.
Definition: mourning, grieving
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: heaviness, mourning. See also: Isaiah 29:2; Lamentations 2:5.
וַ/אֲנִיָּֽה ʼănîyâh H592 "lamentation" Conj | N-fs
This Hebrew word means a deep sadness or mourning, like when someone is lamenting a loss. It appears in the Bible to describe times of sorrow. In the KJV, it is translated as lamentation or sorrow.
Definition: mourning, lamentation
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: lamentation, sorrow. See also: Isaiah 29:2; Lamentations 2:5.

Study Notes — Lamentations 2:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Lamentations 2:2 Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob. In His wrath He has demolished the fortified cities of the Daughter of Judah. He brought to the ground and defiled her kingdom and its princes.
2 Jeremiah 30:14 All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins.
3 Jeremiah 52:13 He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.
4 2 Kings 25:9 He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.
5 Lamentations 2:4 He has bent His bow like an enemy; His right hand is positioned. Like a foe He has killed all who were pleasing to the eye; He has poured out His wrath like fire on the tent of the Daughter of Zion.
6 Jeremiah 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go.
7 2 Chronicles 36:16–17 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,
8 Jeremiah 9:17–20 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Take note, and summon the wailing women; send for the most skillful among them. Let them come quickly and take up a lament over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids may gush with water. For the sound of wailing is heard from Zion: ‘How devastated we are! How great is our shame! For we have abandoned the land because our dwellings have been torn down.’” Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD. Open your ears to the word of His mouth. Teach your daughters to wail, and one another to lament.
9 Ezekiel 2:10 which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.

Lamentations 2:5 Summary

This verse is saying that God's judgment on Israel was so severe that it was like He was their enemy, destroying their cities and strongholds. This was not because God hated Israel, but because He loved them and wanted to bring them back to Himself, as we see in Jeremiah 31:3. Just like a parent disciplines their child to teach them right from wrong, God disciplines His people to bring them closer to Him, as described in Hebrews 12:6. This verse reminds us that God is a God of both love and justice, and we must always remember to obey His commands and seek His mercy, as encouraged in Psalm 103:17-18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does it say the Lord is like an enemy in Lamentations 2:5?

This verse is describing the severity of God's judgment on Israel, as seen in Lamentations 2:5, where He has swallowed up Israel and destroyed her strongholds, much like an enemy would, as also described in Deuteronomy 28:49-50.

What does it mean that the Lord has swallowed up Israel?

This phrase is a metaphor for God's complete and utter judgment on Israel, leaving no part of the nation untouched, similar to what is described in Jeremiah 25:30-33, where God's judgment is poured out on all nations.

How can a loving God bring such destruction on His people?

The Bible teaches that God is both loving and just, and His judgment is always motivated by a desire to restore His people to Himself, as seen in Jeremiah 31:3, where God's love for Israel is described, and also in Hebrews 12:6, which explains that God disciplines those He loves.

What is the significance of the phrase 'the Daughter of Judah' in this verse?

The phrase 'the Daughter of Judah' is a poetic way of referring to the people of Judah, emphasizing their special relationship with God, as seen in 2 Kings 19:21, where the Daughter of Zion is mentioned, and also in Isaiah 62:11, which describes the Daughter of Zion as a symbol of God's people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's character and His relationship with His people?
  2. In what ways have I experienced God's discipline or judgment in my own life, and how has it shaped me?
  3. What does this verse teach me about the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience?
  4. How can I balance the idea of God's judgment with His love and mercy, as described in Scripture?

Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 2:5

The Lord was as an enemy,.... Who formerly was on their side, their God and guardian, their protector and deliverer, but now against them; and a terrible thing it is to have God for an enemy, or even

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 2:5

The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 2:5

See . Several pathetical expressions signifying the same things, properly imitating the dialect of mourners, whose passion suffers them not to speak according to art, but frequently they say the same things over and over.

Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 2:5

Lamentations 2:5 The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.Ver. 5. The Lord was an enemy.] This the secure and foolish people would not be drawn to believe, till now they felt it; therefore it is so reiterated. He hath swallowed up Israel, he hath destroyed, &c.] This he had said before, but in cases of this kind people love to say the same things over and over. Redundanti copia exponit quae antea dixerat. And hath increased … mourning and lamentation.] Heb., Lamentation and lamentation - q.d., this is all he hath left us. And this she speaketh mourning, but not murmuring: Non litem intendit Deo, sed confessionem edit.

Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 2:5

(5) Her palaces: . . . his strong holds . . .—The change of gender is remarkable, probably rising from the fact that the writer thought of the “palaces” in connection with the “daughters of Zion,” and of the “strong holds” in connection with the land or people. A like combination is found in Hosea 8:14. Mourning and lamentation.—The two Hebrew nouns are formed from the same root, and have an assonance like “the sorrow and sighing” of Isaiah 35:10.

Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 2:5

5. her palaces … his strong holds] In “her” Jeremiah was thinking of the city, in “his” of the people at large; hence the change in the gender of the pronouns. mourning and lamentation] groaning and moaning, or better (as Cheyne) moaning and bemoaning. The original words are substantives from the same root, and occur again (there also in combination) only in Isaiah 29:2.

Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 2:5

Literally, אדני 'ădonāy has become “as an enemy.”

Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 2:5

5. Her palaces… his strongholds — The change of gender here is explained by Keil by the fact that when the “palaces,” or, more correctly, citadels, are mentioned, the city is in the mind of the

Sermons on Lamentations 2:5

SermonDescription
Chuck Smith Prayer, Monolog or Dialog? by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Moses and his encounter with God at the burning bush. Moses had fled to the desert after killing an Egyptian and spent 40 years
T. Austin-Sparks Power With God Exemplified in Samuel by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of Samuel's ministry as a representation of power with God, particularly in a time when the people of Israel were not aligned with God'
Chuck Smith Isaiah 50:4 by Chuck Smith Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of listening in prayer, asserting that prayer should not be a one-sided conversation but a dialogue with God. He illustrates that the mighties
T. Austin-Sparks Power With God Exemplified in Moses by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound relationship between God and Moses, illustrating how Moses' deep commitment to God's purpose exemplifies true power with God. He argues tha
David Smithers Has God Told You to Stop Praying? by David Smithers David Smithers addresses the concern and hopelessness many Christians feel regarding the Church and the nation's desperate times, emphasizing the importance of not giving up on pra
Willie Mullan (Haggai) Pointed Powerful Paralysing Preaching by Willie Mullan In this sermon, the preacher discusses the challenges faced by the people of Judah and Benjamin as they built the temple of the Lord. He emphasizes that when God calls us to do His
Walter Beuttler His Manifest Presence - Part 1 by Walter Beuttler In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares a harrowing experience of witnessing a violent attack on a bus. He emphasizes the importance of relying on God's presence as a shield

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