Matthew Henry on Lamentations 4:13-20
We have here,
I. The sins they were charged with, for which God brought this destruction upon them, and which served to justify God in it (Lam 4:13, Lam 4:14): It is for the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests. Not that the people were innocent; no, they loved to have it so (Jer 5:31), and it was to please them that the prophets and priests did as they did; but the fault is chiefly laid upon them, who should have taught them better, should have reproved and admonished them, and told them what would be in the end hereof; of the hands of those watchmen who did not give them warning will their blood be required. Note, Nothing ripens a people more for ruin, nor fills the meas…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 4:16
Ain and Pe are here transposed (Lam 4:16-17), as in Lam 2:16-17; Lam 3:46-51.
anger--literally, "face"; it is the countenance which, by its expression, manifests anger (Psa 34:16). GESENIUS translates, "the person of Jehovah"; Jehovah present; Jehovah Himself (Exo 33:14; Sa2 17:11).
divided--dispersed the Jews.
they respected not . . . priests--This is the language of the Gentiles. "The Jews have no hope of a return: for they respected not even good priests" (Ch2 24:19-22) [GROTIUS]. MAURER explains it, "They (the victorious foe) regard not the (Jewish) priests when imploring their pity" (Lam 5:12). The evident antithesis to "As for us" (Lam 4:17) and the language of "the heathen" at t…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on Lamentations 4:15
When they fled away - These priests and prophets were so bad, that the very heathen did not like to permit them to sojourn among them. The prophet now resumes the history of the siege.
John Gill on Lamentations 4:16
The anger of the Lord hath divided them,.... Or, "the face of the Lord" (f); the anger that appeared in his face, in the dispensation of his providence, removed them out of their own land, and dispersed them among several countries and nations of the world, and as they now are: these are not the words of the Heathens continued, but of the prophet:
he will no more regard them; or, "he will not add to look on them" (g), with a look of love, but continue his anger and resentment:
they respect not the persons of the priests, they favour not the elders; which is to be considered either as the sin of the false prophets and priests before described, which was the cause of their punishment; that t…
