2:1 the daughter of Zion Identifying Jerusalem by the name of its most sacred space and personifying the city as a woman. See note on Isa 1:8.

the splendor of Israel Referring to Jerusalem or the temple (compare Isa 13:19; 64:11; Psa 78:59–61).

his footstool A metaphor used for the temple as the site of Yahweh’s earthly dwelling. See Psa 99:5 and note. Compare Isa 60:13; Ezek 43:7.

the day of his anger Referring to the day of Yahweh that the prophets warned Israel about, when Yahweh would come to judge Israel and the nations.

2:2 the dwellings of Jacob Referring to the nation of Israel by the name of their ancestor Jacob (see Gen 25–49).

the fortifications of the daughter of Judah The fortified cities of Judah. See note on Jer 4:5.

2:3 the might of The Hebrew here emphasizes the idea of power by using the Hebrew word for “horn,” which was symbolic of power itself. See note on Ezek 29:21.

his right hand The right hand symbolized presence, power, and protection (see Exod 15:6). See note on Isa 41:10.

2:4 He has bent his bow like an enemy Imagery of the Divine Warrior, coming in wrath, fighting against Israel. See Isa 29:3 and note. Technically, the Babylonians wielded the weaponry that cut down Jerusalem, but their success was due to Yahweh’s posture of judgment against His people (compare Isa 10:5 and note).

like a foe Compare Jer 30:14.

2:6 his dwelling place This a metaphor for the temple. Compare Isa 1:8; 5:5–6.

Zion Another name for Jerusalem. See note on Isa 1:8.

festival and Sabbath Regular religious observances have been neglected. Regarding the Sabbath, see note on Gen 2:3.

king and priest Yahweh has abandoned both royal and religious institutions.

2:7 The Lord has rejected his altar Yahweh has rejected His dwelling because of Israel’s idolatry (Ezek 8–11). Compare Ezek 24:21; Psa 78:60; Jer 7:12.

2:8 He measured with a line Used in both construction and demolition and here as a metaphor for judgment. See 2 Kgs 21:13; Isa 34:11; Zech 1:16.

2:9 her kings and its princes are among the nations The upper classes of Judah were taken into exile by Babylon, including both King Jehoiachin in 597 bc and King Zedekiah in 586 bc (2 Kgs 24:12–16; Jer 52:11).

no more law Referring to priestly teaching.

prophets have not found a revelation from Yahweh The failure of the prophets who claimed to be preaching peace in the name of Yahweh is a prominent theme in Jeremiah (see Jer 5:31; 14:13; 23:16–17; 28:1–17). Despite their claims, they had not really heard from Yahweh (see Lam 2:14).

2:10 the elders of the daughter of Zion Local leaders. The national institutions of political and religious power have fallen (compare Jer 4:9). On elders, see note on Jer 26:17.

They cast dust on their head A traditional sign of mourning (Josh 7:6; Job 2:12).

they have put on sackcloth Another traditional part of mourning rituals, which were done in times of national distress, not just personal loss. On sackcloth, see Isa 15:2; Jer 4:8; 6:26. See note on Jer 6:26.

2:11 My eyes have spent all their tears The individual lament is similar to that of personified Zion in 1:12–22.

my stomach is in torment See note on 1:20; Jer 4:19.

my heart The Hebrew word here refers to the liver; this expression is often translated “heart” or “bile.”. The expression is a metaphor for inner emotional turmoil.

the daughter of my people A term for Jerusalem used frequently in Jeremiah and Lamentations (e.g., Jer 8:21; 14:17).

2:14 false and worthless See Lam 2:9 and note.

to restore your fortune The Hebrew phrase used here commonly denotes future salvation in Biblical poetry, especially in Jeremiah and Psalms (see Jer 29:14; 30:3, 18; 33:7; compare Deut 30:3; Pss 14:7; 126:1).

2:15 all who pass along the way Passersby scoff at the once-great city of Jerusalem. Compare Jer 18:16; 19:8.

2:17 Yahweh has done what he has planned The judgment described in Lam 2:1–8 was part of Yahweh’s plan, carrying out the punishment necessary for Israel’s breaking of the covenant (see Deut 28:15–68).

2:18 let tears stream down like a river Zion is urged to pray and turn back to Yahweh. Compare Jer 13:17; 14:17.

2:20 See, Yahweh Zion responds to the exhortation to pray in Lam 2:18–19 by offering this appeal to Yahweh, emphasizing the great suffering from which none could escape. Young and old, male and female, all suffered alike.

eat their young children Meaning the people would resort to cannibalism due to the shortage of food (see Ezek 5:10 and note; compare Lam 4:10; Isa 9:20; Jer 19:9).

2:22 horror from all around Another phrase reminiscent of Jeremiah. See Jer 6:25; note on Jer 20:3.

the day of Yahweh’s anger When Yahweh could come to judge Israel and the nations. See Lam 2:1 and note.