CHAP. IV. V. 1, 2. The nation of Israel being devoted to God and beloved by him, and Jerusalem the holy city where he was wor- shipped at his temple, had excelled other na-granted, that this was not, in any instance, the
tions and cities, as the most fine gold does the baser metals; which was intimated by the gold that over-laid the walls, and formed the vessels, of the sanctuary. ( Notes , 1 Kings 6: 15-35.7:48-51.) But now they were both polluted by their sins, and disgraced by their sufferings; they had lost all their distinguished splendor and excellency, and were become base and contemptible. The temple also was totally destroyed, and its stones were thrown among the common rubbish, and mixed with the ruins of other buildings. Nay, the "sons of Zion," even the most honorable and emi- nent of them, who ought to have been, and had been, "precious as fine gold," were dis-more aggravated. ( Marg . Ref .-- Notes , 9. Ex .
regarded and dashed in pieces like the mean- est earthen vessel. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Is. 30:12-14. 51:17-20, v. 20. Jer. 22:28-30. Rom . 9:19-23. 2 Cor . 4:7.)
V. 3-5. Through urgent famine, the wo- men of Jerusalem seemed to be deprived of all natural affection, and were become more un- feeling to their offspring than the sea-monsters, VOL. IV.
V. 6. Sodom was destroyed at once by fire from heaven, and its inhabitants did not suffer so much, in this world , as those of Jerusalem did, when they died in a lingering manner by famine, like criminals who are long kept in torture. And, considering the superior advantages and privileges of Jerusalem, there can be no doubt, that their guilt was far more aggravated than that of Sodom.--This indeed is the more obvious sense of the original. ( Marg .) The punishment of Jerusalem was heavier than that of Sodom, because her guilt was 16:48-51. Matt . 11:20-24.)
V. 7,8. ( Notes , Gen. 49:22-26, v . 26. Num . 6:13-21.Am. 2:9-12.) The Nazarites, during the time of their separation, were considered as very distinguished persons; and probably they used to wear white clothing. Perhaps God had been pleased to give a peculiar blessing to their diet, to render them more healthy [449
better than they that be slain with hunger: ||shed the blood of the just in the midst of * for these * pine away, stricken through for her; want of the fruits of the field.
10 The hands of the "pitiful women have sodden their own children, they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.
11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.
14 They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.
15 They cried unto them, Depart ye it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not, when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there.
12 The a kings of the earth and all the 16 The anger of the LORD hath diinhabitants of the world, would not have vided them; h "he he w will no more regard them; believed that the adversary and the ene-ithey respected not the persons of the
my should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.
[Practical Observations.]
13 For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have
than their brethren, who did not abstain from wine; so that their appearance was more vigorous and comely, and they were considered as the ornament and honor of the city. ( Note , Dan . 1:8-16.) But now the wrath of God had made such a change in their circumstances; that by famine, disease, and neglect, they were become base and sordid in their persons and apparel, not to be distinguished from the other wretched objects, with whom they were surrounded: and they were emaciated and enfeebled, so that their very neighbors scarcely knew them. ( Marg . Ref . )
Blacker than a coal . (8) "Darker than blackness." ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . p.) "Duskier 'than the dawn." שחר signifies the dawn of 'the day, when it is neither light nor dark, but between both, at which time objects are not 'easily distinguished.' Blayney . ( Note , Is . 8:20.) V. 9. Marg . Ref. Note, 6.- Stricken , &c.] 'Their vitals are pierced through, as if ... with 'a sword; but with this difference, that it is by 'famine, the most cruel, because the most lin'gering death.' Lowth .
V. 10. In themselves the women of Israel were strongly disposed to compassion, and still
priests, they favored not the elders.
d Deut. 28:28,29. Is. 29:10-12. 56:10. 59:9-11. Mic. 3:6,7. Matt. 15:14. Eph. 4:18.
e Num. 35.33. Is. 1:15. Jer. 2: 34.
† Or, in that they could not but touch. Num. 19:16. Hos. 4:2. f Num. 16:26. Ps. 6:8. 139:19. Mic. 2:10. 2 Cor. 6:37.
Or, ye polluted. Lev. 13:45.
V. 13-16. The sins of the false prophets, and ungodly priests, conduced to the total degeneracy of the nation; and their murder of the prophets and righteous servants of God, and of the children offered to idols, provoked him to give them up to destruction. ( Marg . Ref . b, c.- Notes , 2:14. Jer. 2:26-30.6:13-15. 23:13-29. Ez . 22:25,26. Міс . 3:8-12. Matt . 23: 34-39.
Acts 7:51-53.) Thus the prophets and priests caused such numbers to be slain, that when they walked in the streets, they could not avoid being polluted with blood; as blind men, when wandering about, could not shun those things, the touch of which rendered them unclean. Nay, they were even covered with the blood of the slain, so that men could not touch their garments without being defiled. Or, in the punishment of their crimes, such numbers were slain on every side, that they could not avoid pollution by touching blood; any more than blind men could.
The Jews had been wont to say to a Gentile, "Stand by thyself, I am holier than thou;" and to bid him depart, and keep at a distance, as unclean: but now the very heathen drove them out of the city as unclean, and burned it as polluted. 'abhorrence of this defilement of such persons, 'whose office it was to cleanse and purify oth'ers, as the lepers were by the law obliged to 'pronounce on themselves, and cry "Unclean, 'unclean." ( Lev . 13:45.)' Lowth .
They considered them as monsters of wickedness, and in contempt of their former pride and self-preference, or as loathing their vile conduct, they disdainfully shunned their company: nay, when they fled, or wandered from place to place, even the idolaters would not admit them to sojourn with them. Thus the Lord divided them into distant places: (Note, Gen. 49:5-7.) he no longer regarded them as his people; and there
more to exquisite natural affection: but, not--They used the same words to express their
withstanding this, their extreme anguish rendered them barbarous and savage, and this added exceedingly to the horror of their calamity and conduct. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 2:20-22, v . 20. 2 Kings 6:28,29. Is . 49:14-16.)
V. 11. Devoured .] 'It hath made an entire 'destruction, so as not to leave one stone upon 'another.' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref .)
V. 12. Jerusalem seems to have been well fortified both by nature and art: and those, who had attempted to take it, bad almost always been miraculously baffled and destroyed. This induced the decided opinion among all the surrounding kings and nat nations, that Neb
uchadnezzar would not succeed in his enter-fore their enemies no more respected their
prise. Nor could he, if the Lord, the real Defence of Jerusalem, had not been provoked to depart from her. These things are come to 'pass, contrary to all men's expectations.' Marg. Ref . Notes , Ps . 48:1-8.)
priests and elders, but considered them as the chief criminals, and the peculiar objects of their execration. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . d-i.) V. 17. Vain, &c.] The Jews had long expected help from the Egyptians but wholly in
vain; and this was one occasion of their ruin. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Is . 30:6,7. 31:2,3. Jer. 37:1 -10. Ez . 29:6,7.)
V. 18, 19. These are the desponding complaints of the remnant of the Jews. Their enemies hunted those, who remained in the city, from one street to another; so that they expected death every moment: and if any of them fled to the mountains, or into the wilderness, their pursuers were as swift as eagles, and laid wait for them to destroy them. ( Marg . Ref. Notes , 2 Kings 25:1-5. Jer . 5:30,31. Ez . 7:515. 12:1-16,26-28. 12:1-1 Ат. 8:1-3.)-'God has 'brought upon us that judgment which he threat'ened by Moses, of bringing "a nation against 'us as swift as the eagle flieth." ( Deut . 28:49.)' Lowth. (Notes, Jer. 4:11-13. Matt . 24:26-28.)
V. 20. This verse some expositors under'stand of king Josiah; and thereupon ground 'their opinion, that the Lamentations were 'written on occasion of his death. But I 'rather conceive that Zedekiah was meant, of 'whom the prophet saith, that he was taken in 'those toils his enemies had laid to catch him. (Jer. 52:8. Ez . 12:13.) As long as he was safe, 'we had hopes of preserving some face of gov'ernment, although we were carried into a for'eign country. Lowth .--Perhaps the hopes of the nation, when Zedekiah was first anointed king, are intended.
He was raised to the throne by the king of Babylon; and therefore they might expect to be preserved by his power from the surrounding heathen nations, and to continue in their own land: so that they considered their national existence, so to speak, to depend on Zedekiah. But when he was hunted and taken, as a wild beast in a pit, all their hopes expired. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 2 Kings 25:6,7. Jer . 34:1-5. 37:17-21. Ez . 17:12-21. 21:25~27.)
Breath , &c.] ( Marg . Ref . p.) Ille (scilicet 'princeps) est spiritus vitalis , quem hæc tot millia 'civium trahunt.' Seneca, quoted by Blayney. V. 21, 22. ( Note , 1:18-22, v . 21.) The Edomites insulted and rejoiced over the calamities of the Jews. ( Notes , Ps . 137:7-9. Jer. 49:7-22. Ez . 25:12-14. 35: Am. 1:11,12. Ob . 10-21.) The prophet therefore ironically bade them rejoice; but assured them that their joy would soon be terminated: for the deadly cup of divine vengeance would speedily be put into their hands, and reduce them to desperation and contempt. ( Marg . Ref . u, x.- Notes , Ps . 75:8. Is . 51:17 -23. Jer. 25:15-17,27,28. Hab . 2:15-17.) The appointed punishment of Zion would soon be completed, and her captivity terminated: and then the Lord would bring to light and punish the iniquities of Edom; or
carry them into captivity for their sins. ( Note , Is . 40:1,2.)
Uz. (21) Note, Job 1:1. -No more. (22) 'These 'and such like expressions, if understood in a 'strict literal sense, must relate to the final res'toration of the Jews. (Jer. 31:40. Is . 52:1.)' Lowth . ( Notes , Ez . 34:23–31. 37:25—28. 39:23 -29. Hos . 3:4,5. Joel 3:9-17. Am. 9:13-15. Mic. 7:8-17.)--Edom is frequently introduced, as representing the enemies of the church in general; and the final restoration of the Jews will be accompanied with the entire ruin of all the adversaries of the church, or speedily succeeded by it. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . y-а. Notes , Is . 34: 63:1--6. Mal . 1:2--5.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-12.
The glory of outward distinctions and privileges may soon be obscured: sin tarnishes the beauty of the most excellent gifts; and when the Lord leaves churches or nations, their "glory is departed." But that "gold tried in the fire" which Christ bestows, will never be taken from us; nor can its excellency be diminished. ( Note , Rev. 3:18,19, v . 18.)- The stones of the earthly sanctuary were repeatedly poured out in the streets, so that not one of them was left upon another: but the spiritual temple experiences no such demolitions; it is built upon a Rock, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail; and every believer being one with Christ, is "an habitation of God through the Spirit." ( Notes , Eph . 2:19–22. 1 Pet . 2:4-6.)-— Indeed, the most "precious of the sons of Zion," incomparably more valuable in the sight of God than the finest gold, are esteemed by ungodly men "as earthen pitchers," fit for nothing but the basest uses, or to be dashed in pieces; and not only were prophets and apostles treated in this manner, but even Chisst himself was despised and vilified more than any of them.They who live themselves, and bring up their children, in delicacy, elegance, and splendor, know not to what miseries they may be reserved: and such as are most habituated to luxury and indulgence, must be doubly miserable, if reduced to the extremes of hunger and thirst, and squalid penury, to lie on the ground, and to "embrace dunghills." It is therefore our interest to accustom ourselves to hardships, to deny our appetites improper gratifications, and to fear contracting such habits as may afterwards prove sources of misery.--Extreme necessity has has a a tendency to render the heart callous and unfeeling: they, who have improperly indulged their children when in prosperity, have often been most regardless of them in distress: and
REMEMBER, O LORD, what is come
upon us: consider, band behold our reproach.
2 Our c inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
3 We are dorphans and fatherless; our mothers are as widows.
4 We have drunken our water for money; our wood * is sold unto us.
5 Our necks are under persecution: we labor, and have no rest.
a 1:20. 2:20. 3:19. Neh. 1:8. Job 7:7. 10:9. Jer. 15:15. Hab. 3:2. Luke 23:42.
b 2:15. 3:61. Neh. 1:3. 4:4. Ps. 44:13-16. 74-10,11. 79:4, 12. 89:50,51. 123:3,4.
c Deut. 28:30, &c. Ps. 79.1,2. Is. 1:7. 5:17. 63:18. Jer. 6:12. Ez. 7:21,24. Zeph. 1:13.
d Ex. 22:24. Jer. 18:21. Hos.
14:3.
e Deut. 28:48. Is. 3:1. Ez. 4: 9-17.
* Heb. cometh for price. † Heb. On our neeks are we persecuted.
f 1:14. 4:19. Deut. 28:48,65,66. Jer. 27:2,8,11,12. 28:14. Matt. 11:29. Acts 15:10.
bls. 30:1-6. 31:1-3. 57:9. Jer. 2:18,36. 44:12-14. Hos. 5:13. 7:11. 9:3. 12:1.
i Ex. 20:5. Jer. 16:12. 31:29. Ez. 18:2. Matt. 23:32-36.
k Gen. 42:13,36. Job 7:8,21. Jer. 31:15. Zech. 1:5.
1 Gen. 9:25. Deut. 28:43. Neh. 2:19. 5:15. Prov. 30:22.
m Job 5:4. 10:7. Ps. 7:2. 50: 22. Is. 43:13. Hos. 2:10. Zech. 11:6.
n Judg. 6:11. 2 Sam. 23:17. Jer. 40:9-12.41:1-10,18. 13: 14,16. Ez. 4:16,17. 12:18,19. 0 3:4. 4:8. Job 30:30. Ps. 119: 83.
Or, terrors, or storms, of famine.
NOTES.