Lamentations 1 7

Lamentations 1:7 kjv

Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths.

Lamentations 1:7 nkjv

In the days of her affliction and roaming, Jerusalem remembers all her pleasant things That she had in the days of old. When her people fell into the hand of the enemy, With no one to help her, The adversaries saw her And mocked at her downfall.

Lamentations 1:7 niv

In the days of her affliction and wandering Jerusalem remembers all the treasures that were hers in days of old. When her people fell into enemy hands, there was no one to help her. Her enemies looked at her and laughed at her destruction.

Lamentations 1:7 esv

Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and wandering all the precious things that were hers from days of old. When her people fell into the hand of the foe, and there was none to help her, her foes gloated over her; they mocked at her downfall.

Lamentations 1:7 nlt

In the midst of her sadness and wandering,
Jerusalem remembers her ancient splendor.
But now she has fallen to her enemy,
and there is no one to help her.
Her enemy struck her down
and laughed as she fell.

Lamentations 1 verses

Lamentations 1 7 Meaning

Lamentations 1:7 portrays Jerusalem personified, in her deep distress and ruin, remembering the glorious days and precious possessions she once had. This vivid memory intensifies her current suffering, particularly as her people were conquered by adversaries who offered no help, and these same enemies now openly mocked her utter desolation. The verse emphasizes the stark contrast between her past splendor and present devastation, compounded by the cruelty of her foes.

Lamentations 1 7 Context

Lamentations 1:7 is situated within the initial section of the book, which vividly depicts the utter desolation of Jerusalem following its capture by the Babylonians in 586 BC and the destruction of the Temple. Chapter 1 introduces Jerusalem personified as a widowed, isolated woman, abandoned by former lovers and suffering deeply. Verse 7 specifically draws a sharp contrast between Jerusalem's former glorious state and her current humiliation, emphasizing the profound psychological and emotional pain derived from this contrast, especially when intensified by the gleeful taunts of her enemies. Historically, this aligns with the Babylonian conquest and the subsequent exile, fulfilling the warnings of prophets like Jeremiah and the covenant curses pronounced in Deuteronomy and Leviticus against disobedience. The context highlights not just physical ruin but the shame and isolation felt by the former "city of the great King."

Lamentations 1 7 Word analysis

• Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַ֫ם, Yerushalaim): Personified as a mourning woman, a central figure in Lamentations. This is not merely a city but the very heart of the covenant people, where God chose to dwell, now desolate.
• remembers (זָכְרָה, zakhrah): Root meaning "to remember, recall, mention." It denotes a painful recollection, not just a mental acknowledgment. This act of remembering past glory makes the present misery more acute.
• in the days of her affliction (בְּיוֹמֵי עָנְיָהּ, b'yomei onyah): Root עָנָה (anah) means "to be bowed down, afflicted, humbled." It conveys a state of oppression, distress, and severe suffering. The "days of affliction" refers to the current period of siege, conquest, and exile.
• and of her miseries (וּמְרוּדֶיהָ, u'merudeiha): From מָרוּד (marud), which can mean "wandering, state of homelessness," or "bitterness." It describes her condition as being restless, aimless, outcast, and filled with deep bitterness and sorrow.
• all her desirable things (כָּל מַחְמֻדֶיהָ, kol makhamudeiha): Root חָמַד (hamad) means "to desire, covet." Refers to all that was precious, treasured, and beautiful, including the Temple (House of God), her former glory, her riches, independence, and the presence of God among them. This would also encompass her reputation among nations.
• that she had in the days of old (אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ מִימֵי קֶדֶם, asher hayu mimay qedem): Highlights a bygone era of prosperity, divine favor, and covenant blessings before her transgression led to judgment.
• when her people fell into the hand of the adversary (בְּנְפֹל עַמָּהּ בְּיַד צָר וְאֵין עוֹזֵר לָהּ, b'nepol ammah b'yad tzar v'ein ozer lah):
  • adversary (צָר, tzar): Root meaning "to bind, narrow," denoting distress or one who causes distress; a foe or enemy. Here it specifically refers to Babylon.
  • no one helped her (וְאֵין עוֹזֵר לָהּ, v'ein ozer lah): Emphasizes utter abandonment and betrayal, a state of complete vulnerability where former allies failed to assist, reflecting God's withdrawal of protection and turning against them.
• the adversaries saw her (רָאוּהָ צָרִים, ra'uha tzarim): Plural of tzar (adversaries). This reinforces the widespread and unified opposition from her enemies, who observed her downfall.
• they mocked (שָׂחֲקוּ, sachaku): Root שָׂחַק (sahaq) means "to laugh, mock, jest." This is a scornful, triumphant, and dehumanizing laughter, signifying utter contempt and enjoyment of her humiliation.
• at her desolations (עַל מִשְׁבַּתֶּיהָ, al mishbatteha): This key term has dual resonance. Derived from שָׁבַת (shabat - to cease, rest, sabbath). While commonly translated "desolations" (denoting cessation of activity/life, ruin), it carries a profound theological weight:
  • It speaks of the physical desolation, the "stopping" of the city's life and vibrancy.
  • It subtly echoes God's covenant warnings in Lev 26:34-35 and 2 Chron 36:21, where the land "enjoyed its Sabbaths" during the exile because Israel failed to give it Sabbath rest. The land, left fallow and desolate, finally received its due rest.

Lamentations 1 7 Bonus section

The profound suffering described in Lamentations 1:7 serves as a theological statement about the severity of God's covenant curses. Unlike pagan beliefs where the defeat of a city meant the defeat of its god, Lamentations subtly communicates that Yahweh orchestrated Jerusalem's fall. The very 'mockery' of the enemies, while painful for Judah, also subtly served God's purpose in judging His people and demonstrating that disobedience would be met with His sovereign, even if devastating, judgment. The remembrance of "desirable things" can be linked to Israel's idolatry, as these treasures may have contributed to their complacency and rebellion against the Lord, highlighting the bittersweet irony that what was once precious led to their downfall when worshipped more than God Himself.

Lamentations 1 7 Commentary

Lamentations 1:7 is a lament over loss, highlighting the crushing weight of memory when contrasted with present suffering. Jerusalem's recall of her past "desirable things"—her splendor, the Temple, and God's blessings—is not comforting but agonizing, sharpening the pain of her destitution. This verse powerfully conveys the psychological torment of exile: the trauma is deepened by remembering what was lost. The "adversary" and their mocking laughter emphasize the complete public humiliation, underscoring not just a physical defeat but a profound theological and emotional stripping away of dignity. The abandonment by any "helper" reveals a sense of isolation and vulnerability, echoing Israel's unfaithfulness to the covenant and God's consequent withdrawal of protection. The choice of "desolations" (Hebrew mishbatteha), carrying connotations of "sabbath," also serves as a poignant theological reminder that the destruction was a just consequence of Israel's prolonged covenant disobedience, allowing the land to finally receive its required "rest" which the people had neglected. The enemies' mockery implicitly questions God's power and faithfulness, adding a sharp, public sting to the profound internal grief.