AUTHOR: Jeremiah
DATE: ca. 586 B.C.
The term Lamentations is from a Greek verb meaning “to cry aloud.” Crying aloud accurately describes this book, which consists of five melancholy poems of mourning over the utter destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians.
A consensus of Jewish tradition attributes authorship of this book to the prophet Jeremiah. A superscription to this book in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) and Vulgate (Latin Bible) reads in part, “Jeremiah sat weeping and lamented with this lamentation over Jerusalem.” Additionally, there are many similarities between the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations and Jeremiah is connected with this type of literature in 2 Chronicles 35:25.
From 588 to 586 B.C., the Babylonian army besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-10). Judah’s ally, Egypt, had been defeated, and Jeremiah’s repeated warnings to the Jews had been rejected. As Babylon’s stranglehold on Jerusalem tightened, people were starving, yet they continued to turn to idols for help. Finally, the walls were breached, the city secured and plundered, the Temple, palace, and other buildings burned, and prisoners deported to Babylon. Having witnessed these horrible events, Jeremiah composed these laments.
The book consists of five poems, one for each chapter, the first four being written as acrostics (each verse beginning with a word whose first letter is successively one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet–except in chap. 3 where three verses are allotted to each letter). These four chapters are also written in what is called “limping meter,” a cadence used in funeral dirges, and thus most appropriate for this lament over the destruction of Jerusalem.
The Jews read this book publicly every year on the ninth day of the month of Ab (about mid-July) in commemoration of the destructions of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (by the Babylonians) and in A.D. 70 (by the Romans). Roman Catholics use it during the last three days of Holy Week. The concern of the book reminds one of Jesus’ burden over Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37-38). The best-known verses in the book are undoubtedly Jer 1:12a and Jer 3:22-23.
OUTLINE OF LAMENTATIONS
I. The Desolation of Jerusalem, 1:1-22
A. The Barrenness of the City, 1:1-11
B. The Anguish of the City, 1:12-22
II. The Destruction of Jerusalem, 2:1-22
A. The Lord’s Judgment, 2:1-10
B. The Author’s Lament, 2:11-22
III. The Distraught Prophet, 3:1-66
A. His Lament, 3:1-18
B. His Hope, 3:19-42
C. His Suffering, 3:43-54
D. His Prayer, 3:55-66
IV. The Defeated People of Jerusalem, 4:1-22
A. The Siege of the City, 4:1-12
B. The Reasons for the Siege, 4:13-20
C. The Hope for the Future, 4:21-22
V. The Prayer for the People, 5:1-22
A. Confession, 5:1-18
B. Petition, 5:19-22
Videos and Charts Used By Permission of the Bible Project
*******
We Need Your Help
If Reasons for Hope* Jesus has blessed you,
please consider supporting our ministry.
Jesus is the Reason this Ministry Exists
But YOU make it possible!
As an online biblical resource ministry, your goodwill and generosity keep us going in our mission to equip, encourage, and empower the body of Christ and reach the lost with the gospel of saving grace.
*******
***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***
Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus. When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll send you The Names of God in Psalm 23 PDF that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email).
Hear, See, Speak No Evil -- A Practical Guide for Guarding the Mind -- This book will cause you to think before you speak, to close your eyes to that which you should not behold, and to stop listening to the lies of the world and the evil one. Learn to guard your gates and process everything according to God’s perfect will and by His Word. The three little monkeys, Hear, See, and Speak No Evil, can teach us a lot. And there’s a fourth monkey that can help stop the spread of ungodly thinking and living in our world.
The Top Ten Got Questions? in 2023
- The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
- Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
- How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
- How are the Shepherd’s ROD and STAFF Different?
- How long did JOB SUFFER?
- What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?
- Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
- Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
- The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
- Did Jesus Fight Satan to Take Back the KEYS of Death and Hell?
There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith. Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory. Their words equip and encourage us even to this day. Take a few minutes to hear...
- ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
- “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
- Prayers from Billy Graham
- Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
- “Immanuel” — A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
- Who Am I? A Poem by Deitrich Bonhoeffer (1905-1945)
- Understanding the Everlasting Arms of God, by J.R. Miller (1840–1912)
- 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
- Give Me Perpetual Broken-heartedness (from The Valley of Vision)
- Abide with Me, by James Smith, 1859
This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.
TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus
- Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace
- RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
- WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
- PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
- PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
- Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
- JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
- Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
- THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE - A Christmas Story to Share
- Not by Might, Not by Power, But BY MY SPIRIT says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6)
*****************