Lamentations 2:20
"Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?"

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Behold, O Lord, and consider to whom thou hast done this,.... On whom thou hast brought these calamities of famine and sword; not upon thine enemies, but upon thine own people, that are called by thy name, and upon theirs, their young ones, who had not sinned as their fathers had: here the church does not charge God with any injustice, or complain of hard usage; only humbly entreats he would look upon her, in her misery, with an eye of pity and compassion; and

consider her sorrowful condition; and remember the relation she stood in to him; and so submits her case, and leaves it with him. These words seem to be suggested to the church by the prophet, as what might be proper for her to use, when praying for the life of her young children; and might be introduced by supplying the word "saying" before "behold, O Lord", &c. shall the women eat their fruit; their children, the fruit of their womb, as the Targum; their newborn babes, that hung at their breasts, and were carried in their arms; it seems they did, as was threatened they should, Lev 26:29 ; and so they did at the siege of Samaria, and at the siege of Jerusalem, both by the Chaldeans and the Romans: and children of a span long? or of a hand's breadth; the breadth of the palms of the hand, denoting very little ones: or "children handled", or "swaddled with the hands" (c); of their parents, who are used to stroke the limbs of their babes, to bring them to; and keep them in right form and shape, and swaddle them with swaddling bands in a proper manner; see Lam 2:22 ; and so the Targum, "desirable children, who are wrapped in fine linen.'' Jarchi (d) interprets it of Doeg Ben Joseph, whom his mother slew, and ate: shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord? as very probably some were, who fled thither for safety when the city was broken up; but were not spared by the merciless Chaldeans, who had no regard to their office and character; nor is it any wonder they should not, when the Jews themselves slew Zechariah, a priest and prophet, between the porch and the altar; of whom the Targum here makes mention; and to whom Jarchi applies these words. (c) "parvulos qui educantur", Pagninus; "parvulos educationum", Montanus; "educationis", Calvin; "infantes palmationum, sive tractationis palmarum", Michaelis; "pueros palmis tractatos", Cocceius. (d) E Talmud Bab. Yoma, fol. 38. 2.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (18 words)

H7200 רָאָה
Definition:

7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas 7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas

Possible Meanings:
  • vision (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H5027 נָבַט
Definition:

30look(literally), followed byלְ.Hiph`ilPerfectהִבִּיטNumbers 21:93t.;וְהִבַּטְתָּ֫1 Samuel 2:32, etc.;ImperfectיַבִּיטNumbers 12:84t.;וַיַּבֵּט1 Samuel 17:424t., etc.;Imperativeהַבֵּט1 Kings 18:43+;ה 30look(literally), followed byלְ.Hiph`ilPerfectהִבִּיטNumbers 21:93t.;וְהִבַּטְתָּ֫1 Samuel 2:32, etc.;ImperfectיַבִּיטNumbers 12:84t.;וַיַּבֵּט1 Samuel 17:424t., etc.;Imperativeהַבֵּט1 Kings 18:43+;ה

H4310 מִי
Definition:

WSG 123 f.): —who ?(τίς;quis ?)Genesis 3:11הִגִּיד לְךָ מִיwho told thee ?Genesis 24:65מִי הָאִישׁ הַלָּזֶהwhois this man ?Genesis 27:18מי אתה בניwhoart thou, my son ?Numbers 22:9;Judges 1:1;Judges 6: WSG 123 f.): —who ?(τίς;quis ?)Genesis 3:11הִגִּיד לְךָ מִיwho told thee ?Genesis 24:65מִי הָאִישׁ הַלָּזֶהwhois this man ?Genesis 27:18מי אתה בניwhoart thou, my son ?Numbers 22:9;Judges 1:1;Judges 6:

Possible Meanings:
  • who? (semantic_range)
  • whose (semantic_range)
  • who among (semantic_range)
  • whose (semantic_range)
  • whosoever (semantic_range)
H5953 עָלַל
Definition:

A primitive root; to effect thoroughly; specifically, to glean (also figuratively); by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e. Maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal) -- abuse, affect, A primitive root; to effect thoroughly; specifically, to glean (also figuratively); by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e. Maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal) -- abuse, affect,

Possible Meanings:
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come in (semantic_range)
  • bring in (semantic_range)
  • be brought (semantic_range)
H3541 כֹּה
Definition:

Jerusalem, Mandeanכָּאhere:in Syriac with prefixeshither,(ᵑ6:Jerusalem)hence,where?compareאֵיכָה, p. 32, and Köii. 1, 252) —1of manner,thus(so most frequently, and usually pointing to what is to follo Jerusalem, Mandeanכָּאhere:in Syriac with prefixeshither,(ᵑ6:Jerusalem)hence,where?compareאֵיכָה, p. 32, and Köii. 1, 252) —1of manner,thus(so most frequently, and usually pointing to what is to follo

H0518 אִם
Definition:

see NöM p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739; WAG i. § 367 e)**ᵑ7Onk Jonאִם,ᵑ7Hagאין.1. hypothetical particleif.a.construction(see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) withimperf see NöM p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739; WAG i. § 367 e)**ᵑ7Onk Jonאִם,ᵑ7Hagאין.1. hypothetical particleif.a.construction(see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) withimperf

Possible Meanings:
  • mother (semantic_range)
  • mother (semantic_range)
  • dam (semantic_range)
  • point of departure (semantic_range)
  • division (semantic_range)
H0398 אָכַל
Definition:

28+;אָֽכְלָהNumbers 21:28+; etc.ImperfectיאֹבַלGenesis 49:27+;וַיּאֹ֫כַלGenesis 25:34+;וַיּאֹכַ֑לGenesis 3:6+;יאֹכֵ֑לLeviticus 21:22+;אֹכַלGenesis 24:33+;וָָֽאֹכַ֫לGenesis 27:33;וְאֹכֵ֑לIsaiah 44:19;ו 28+;אָֽכְלָהNumbers 21:28+; etc.ImperfectיאֹבַלGenesis 49:27+;וַיּאֹ֫כַלGenesis 25:34+;וַיּאֹכַ֑לGenesis 3:6+;יאֹכֵ֑לLeviticus 21:22+;אֹכַלGenesis 24:33+;וָָֽאֹכַ֫לGenesis 27:33;וְאֹכֵ֑לIsaiah 44:19;ו

Possible Meanings:
  • eat (semantic_range)
  • devour (semantic_range)
H0802 אִשָּׁה
Definition:

33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal 33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal

Possible Meanings:
  • an offering made by fire (semantic_range)
H6529 פְרִי
Definition:

9fruit; — absolute׳פHosea 9:16+,מֶּ֑רִיJeremiah 12:12+; especially constructמְּרִיGenesis 4:3+; suffixמִּרְיִיProverbs 8:19,מֶּרְיְךָHosea 14:9,מִּרְיוֺGenesis 3:6+,וּפֶרְיְכֶםEzekiel 36:8,מְּרִיהֶםAm 9fruit; — absolute׳פHosea 9:16+,מֶּ֑רִיJeremiah 12:12+; especially constructמְּרִיGenesis 4:3+; suffixמִּרְיִיProverbs 8:19,מֶּרְיְךָHosea 14:9,מִּרְיוֺGenesis 3:6+,וּפֶרְיְכֶםEzekiel 36:8,מְּרִיהֶםAm

Possible Meanings:
  • fruit of the ground (semantic_range)
  • offspring (semantic_range)
H5768 עוֹלֵל
Definition:

19child; — absoluteעוֺלֵל1 Samuel 15:3+,עוֺלָלJeremiah 6:11;Jeremiah 9:20; usually pluralעוֺלְלִיםPsalm 8:3,עֹלְלִיםJob 3:16,עוֺלָלִיםLamentations 4:4;Joel 2:16; constructעֹלְלֵיLamentations 2:20; suf 19child; — absoluteעוֺלֵל1 Samuel 15:3+,עוֺלָלJeremiah 6:11;Jeremiah 9:20; usually pluralעוֺלְלִיםPsalm 8:3,עֹלְלִיםJob 3:16,עוֺלָלִיםLamentations 4:4;Joel 2:16; constructעֹלְלֵיLamentations 2:20; suf

H2949 טִפֻּח
Definition:

20.Topical LexiconMeaning and Imageryטִפֻּח portrays the tender wrapping or nurturing of a newborn. The term evokes the sight of an infant securely bound in soft cloths—an emblem of innocence, depende 20.Topical LexiconMeaning and Imageryטִפֻּח portrays the tender wrapping or nurturing of a newborn. The term evokes the sight of an infant securely bound in soft cloths—an emblem of innocence, depende

Possible Meanings:
  • span (semantic_range)
  • hand-breadth (semantic_range)
H0518 אִם
Definition:

see NöM p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739; WAG i. § 367 e)**ᵑ7Onk Jonאִם,ᵑ7Hagאין.1. hypothetical particleif.a.construction(see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) withimperf see NöM p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739; WAG i. § 367 e)**ᵑ7Onk Jonאִם,ᵑ7Hagאין.1. hypothetical particleif.a.construction(see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) withimperf

Possible Meanings:
  • mother (semantic_range)
  • mother (semantic_range)
  • dam (semantic_range)
  • point of departure (semantic_range)
  • division (semantic_range)
H2026 הָרַג
Definition:

244t.,הָרָ֑ג2 Samuel 14:72t.,וְהָרַגconsecutiveIsaiah 27:1; suffixוַהֲרָגָ֑נִיconsecutive1 Samuel 16:22t.;הֲרָגוֺGenesis 4:25; etc.;ImperfectיַהֲרֹגPsalm 10:84t.;יַהֲרָגֿJob 5:2;וַיַּהֲרֹגExodus 13:15 244t.,הָרָ֑ג2 Samuel 14:72t.,וְהָרַגconsecutiveIsaiah 27:1; suffixוַהֲרָגָ֑נִיconsecutive1 Samuel 16:22t.;הֲרָגוֺGenesis 4:25; etc.;ImperfectיַהֲרֹגPsalm 10:84t.;יַהֲרָגֿJob 5:2;וַיַּהֲרֹגExodus 13:15

Possible Meanings:
  • slaughter (semantic_range)
H4720 מִקְדָּשׁ
Definition:

9sacred place, sanctuary; —׳מExodus 25:8+;מִקְּדָשׁExodus 15:17(Ges§ 20hKöii. 1, 471); constructמִקְדַּשׁLeviticus 16:33+; suffixמִקְדָּשִׁיLeviticus 20:3+, etc.,מִקְדְּשׁוֺNumbers 18:29(Köii. 1, 97); 9sacred place, sanctuary; —׳מExodus 25:8+;מִקְּדָשׁExodus 15:17(Ges§ 20hKöii. 1, 471); constructמִקְדַּשׁLeviticus 16:33+; suffixמִקְדָּשִׁיLeviticus 20:3+, etc.,מִקְדְּשׁוֺNumbers 18:29(Köii. 1, 97);

H0136 אֲדֹנָי
Definition:

Key first appearances in patriarchal narratives (for example,Genesis 15:2,Genesis 18:27).• Historical Books: Appeals for guidance and deliverance (for example,Joshua 7:8,2 Samuel 7:18–20).• Wisdom Lit Key first appearances in patriarchal narratives (for example,Genesis 15:2,Genesis 18:27).• Historical Books: Appeals for guidance and deliverance (for example,Joshua 7:8,2 Samuel 7:18–20).• Wisdom Lit

H3548 כֹּהֵן
Definition:

18439t.; pluralכֹּהֲנִיםExodus 19:6272t.; constructכֹּהֲנֵי1 Samuel 5:513t.; suffixכֹּהֲנַיLamentations 1:1922t. suffixes —1priest-king:e.g. MelchizedekGenesis 14:18(E ?), comparePsalm 110:4(the Messi 18439t.; pluralכֹּהֲנִיםExodus 19:6272t.; constructכֹּהֲנֵי1 Samuel 5:513t.; suffixכֹּהֲנַיLamentations 1:1922t. suffixes —1priest-king:e.g. MelchizedekGenesis 14:18(E ?), comparePsalm 110:4(the Messi

H5030 נָבִיא
Definition:

7155t.; suffixנְבִיאֶ֑ךָExodus 7:1; pluralנְבִיאִיםNumbers 11:2982t.;נְנִאִיםJeremiah 27:1816t.; suffixנְבִיאַיPsalm 105:15;נְבִיָאו1 Kings 22:22;נְבִיאָו֯2 Kings 17:13, etc.; —1genuineprophetof׳י,נבי 7155t.; suffixנְבִיאֶ֑ךָExodus 7:1; pluralנְבִיאִיםNumbers 11:2982t.;נְנִאִיםJeremiah 27:1816t.; suffixנְבִיאַיPsalm 105:15;נְבִיָאו1 Kings 22:22;נְבִיאָו֯2 Kings 17:13, etc.; —1genuineprophetof׳י,נבי

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