Lamentations 2:3 kjv
He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.
Lamentations 2:3 nkjv
He has cut off in fierce anger Every horn of Israel; He has drawn back His right hand From before the enemy. He has blazed against Jacob like a flaming fire Devouring all around.
Lamentations 2:3 niv
In fierce anger he has cut off every horn of Israel. He has withdrawn his right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it.
Lamentations 2:3 esv
He has cut down in fierce anger all the might of Israel; he has withdrawn from them his right hand in the face of the enemy; he has burned like a flaming fire in Jacob, consuming all around.
Lamentations 2:3 nlt
All the strength of Israel
vanishes beneath his fierce anger.
The Lord has withdrawn his protection
as the enemy attacks.
He consumes the whole land of Israel
like a raging fire.
Lamentations 2 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lam 2:3 | The Lord has utterly extinguished... splendor of Israel | Gen 3:17, Deut 32:22 (God's wrath causing destruction), Psa 74:2 (past judgment), Isa 14:12 (fallen splendor), Jer 48:29 (pride of Moab fallen) |
| Lam 2:3 | He has not remembered his footstool | 2 Sam 7:10 (established his people), Psa 99:5 (worship God's footstool), Psa 132:7 (enter his dwelling) |
| Lam 2:3 | thrown down from heaven to earth | Isa 2:11 (man humbled), Luke 10:18 (Satan cast down), Rev 12:4 (dragon's tail sweeps stars) |
| Lam 2:3 | the splendor of Israel | Exod 15:6 (Majesty of Lord), Isa 13:19 (beauty of Chaldeans), Ezek 16:14 (beauty perfected), Dan 10:8 (strength vanished) |
| Lam 2:3 | day of his anger | Rev 6:17 (day of wrath), Rev 11:18 (hour of judgment) |
Lamentations 2 verses
Lamentations 2 3 Meaning
The Lord has utterly extinguished all the glory of Israel. He has not remembered his footstool in his anger; he has thrown down from heaven to earth the splendor of Israel; and he has not remembered his footstool on the day of his anger.
Lamentations 2 3 Context
This verse is within the context of the prophet Jeremiah lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians. It describes the complete devastation and divine judgment that has befallen Judah. The lament emphasizes God's anger and the resulting loss of Israel's splendor, symbolized by the city and Temple.
Lamentations 2 3 Word analysis
כָּלַ֣תּוּ (kālatū): "has brought to an end," "has finished," "has destroyed." Implies a complete cessation of the glorious state.
זִמְרַ֤ת (zimrat): "glory," "splendor," "magnificence." Refers to Israel's esteemed position and the beauty of its worship.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (Yiśrā’ēl): "Israel." The chosen people, now suffering divine wrath.
לֹא־פָ֧עַם (lō’-fāʿam): "has not remembered." In this context, "remembered" does not imply forgetfulness but rather a cessation of favor or presence. It signifies the withdrawal of God's protective regard.
כִּסּ֤וּא (kisū’): "footstool." This refers metaphorically to the earthly dwelling of God, the Temple in Jerusalem.
גַּעְשָׁ֤א (ga‘šā’): "his anger." The strong emotion of God as a consequence of Israel's sin.
מִשָּׁמַ֨יִם (miššāmayim): "from heaven." Indicates a descent from a divine, high place.
וַיַּ֥רֶשׁ (wayyarəš): "and cast down." Action of forceful displacement.
לָא֖רֶץ (lā’ereṣ): "to the earth." The place of ruin and desolation.
זֹ֣הַר (zōhar): "splendor," "brightness." Another word for the visible glory and prominence of Israel.
בְּיֹ֣ום (bəyōm): "on the day." Emphasizes the specific occasion of this divine action.
The divine withdrawal and its consequences: The phrase "has not remembered his footstool" powerfully conveys God's withdrawal of His presence and favor, leading to utter ruin. This contrasts with His promised dwelling and care for His people.
The fallen glory: The simultaneous use of "zimrat" and "zohar" underscores the totality of Israel's lost splendor, from its spiritual essence to its visible grandeur.
Heaven to earth: The imagery of being cast down "from heaven to earth" highlights the magnitude of the fall, from a state of divine favor and elevation to utter humiliation and destruction.
Lamentations 2 3 Bonus section
The concept of God's "footstool" is significant. In the Old Testament, the earth or the Temple is often referred to as God's footstool (1 Chron 28:2, Psa 132:7), signifying His presence dwelling among His people. When this footstool is disregarded in divine anger, it signifies a complete severing of that sacred connection and the manifestation of His presence. The phrase "day of his anger" resonates throughout Scripture as the time when God's wrath is fully revealed against sin. The fall from "heaven to earth" speaks to the humbling of that which was highly exalted due to God's covenant, now brought low through their unfaithfulness.
Lamentations 2 3 Commentary
This verse expresses the profound sorrow of a nation under divine judgment. God’s righteous anger has resulted in the complete devastation of Israel’s esteemed status, its spiritual life, and the physical symbols of His presence, the Temple and Jerusalem. The lifting of divine protection and favor is depicted as a forceful casting down from a place of honor to utter ruin. The loss is so total that it is as if God Himself has forgotten and withdrawn His presence from His chosen people and their sacred dwelling place.