Lamentations 1

Chap. I. ver. 1.—in the thirtieth year.] Usher, Prideaux, Lowth, and others, reckon the thirty years here spoken of, as well as the forty days or years mentioned in chap. iv. 6, from the covenant made by Josiah in the eighteenth year of his reign. See 2 Kings xxiii. 3. According to which computation this thirtieth year corresponds with the year of the world 3410, and the fifth year of Jehoiachin’s captivity; or about 595 before Christ, as in the margin. Other chronologers conceive it to be the thirtieth year of Ezekiel’s age; or the thirtieth of Nabopolasser’s reign; and others the thirtieth year from the jubilee. Ezekiel usually dates his prophecies from the era of his appointment to the prophetical office. Dr. Gray.

— fourth month.] Thammuz, which nearly corresponds to our July. Abp. Newcome. The sacred year is here understood, which began with the month Nisan. See the note on Exod. xii. 2.

— among the captives] The margin of our Bible, and the Septuagint, express “in the midst of the captivity.” It is not therefore to be imagined that Ezekiel was surrounded by a group of captives, when these visions occurred to him, but that he was in the place of his exile with the other captives who dwelt around him. Calmet.

— Chebar.] A river in Mesopotamia, which falls into the Euphrates near Carchemish. It is mentioned by Ptolemy under the name of Chaboras. Abp. Newcome.

— the heavens were opened.] The eyes of the Prophet were strengthened with celestial light. St. Jerome says, that the heavens were opened, not by a division of the sky, but by the faith of the believer. Calmet.

Lamentations 1:2

2. — the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity.] This was the thirteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign; for Jehoiachin was carried captive in the eighth, 2 Kings xxiv. 12. It was also the fifth year of the reign of

Lamentations 1:3

3. — and the hand of the Lord &c.] The efficacy of God’s Spirit did shew itself in and upon him in his holy revelations. Bp. Hall. The “hand of the Lord” marks the action, the force, the energy of the Holy Spirit. Abp. Newcome.

Lamentations 1:4

4. — out of the north.] This is supposed to denote the calamities which were to burst on Jerusalem from her northern enemies, the Chaldeans. Abp. Newcome. See the notes on Jer. i. 13; iv. 6.

— a fire infolding itself.] Appearing in folds like one wreath within another. W. Lowth. Embracing itself, not spreading. Moses uses the same expression when he speaks of the storm excited by him in Egypt, Exod. ix. 24. Abp. Newcome.

— amber.] By “amber” the ancients often meant a mixed metal of gold and silver, which was much celebrated for its beautiful lustre, and which, when exposed to the fire, becomes more bright and shining. Parkhurst.

Lamentations 1:5

5. — four living creatures.] Compare Rev. iv. 6.

— likeness of a man.] They had the human stature. Howbigant. The likeness might consist partly in their moving erect upon two legs, and partly in their having several members of the human form. Calmet.

Lamentations 1:7

7. — straight feet;] Their legs were straight up like those of a man, without any power of bending but at the knee. Bp. Hall, Abp. Newcome.

— like the sole of a calf’s foot:] And their feet were round as the circumference of a calf’s foot, for the greater fitness of that turning motion which they should be put unto. Bp. Hall.

Lamentations 1:8

8. — hands—wings] Wings and hands are instru- Before CHRIST about 595. + Heb. catching itself. + Heb. a straight foot.