Old Testament
Lamentations 2:13
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In Lamentations 2:13, the speaker expresses deep sorrow and empathy for Jerusalem, personified as a daughter.
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah
- Written
- Around 586 BC
- Genre
- Poetry and lament
- Original Audience
- Judah after the fall of Jerusalem
What can I use as a witness for you? What can I compare you to, daughter of Jerusalem? What could possibly match your suffering so I could comfort you, virgin daughter of Zion? Your wound is as vast as the sea. Who could ever heal you?
What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In Lamentations 2:13, the speaker expresses deep sorrow and empathy for Jerusalem, personified as a daughter. The verse poses rhetorical questions to highlight the city's immense suffering and isolation. The speaker struggles to find anything that could adequately represent or comfort Jerusalem's pain, comparing her wounds to the vastness of the sea, emphasizing their depth and severity. This imagery illustrates the overwhelming nature of her grief and loss, suggesting that no one can truly understand or heal her wounds. The verse captures the essence of lamentation, where the speaker acknowledges the profound hurt and seeks to convey the depth of despair felt by the people. It reflects a moment of helplessness in the face of suffering, underscoring the need for compassion and understanding in times of distress.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Lamentations 2:13 to your life
This verse encourages us to recognize and empathize with the suffering of others. In our own lives, we may encounter friends or family in deep pain. Instead of trying to fix their problems, we can offer our presence, listening ears, and heartfelt support, acknowledging their struggles without minimizing them.
Curated for this public verse page. Lamentations Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Lamentations 2:13 mean for Jerusalem?
Lamentations 2:13 expresses profound sorrow for Jerusalem, depicted as a daughter suffering immense pain. The verse highlights the city's isolation and the speaker's struggle to find anything that could adequately comfort her. By comparing her wounds to the vastness of the sea, it emphasizes the depth of her grief, suggesting that her suffering is beyond comprehension and healing.
How can I apply Lamentations 2:13 in my life?
You can apply Lamentations 2:13 by recognizing the pain of those around you. When friends or family are suffering, instead of trying to fix their problems, focus on being present and offering support. Acknowledge their struggles without minimizing them, and provide a listening ear. This approach fosters compassion and understanding during difficult times.
What themes are present in Lamentations 2:13?
Lamentations 2:13 encompasses themes of suffering, lamentation, compassion, grief, healing, and loss. It captures the essence of deep sorrow and the struggle to find comfort in the face of overwhelming pain, reflecting the human experience of grief and the need for empathy.
Why does the speaker use rhetorical questions in Lamentations 2:13?
The use of rhetorical questions in Lamentations 2:13 serves to emphasize the depth of Jerusalem's suffering. By asking what could possibly comfort her, the speaker highlights the uniqueness and severity of her pain, illustrating a sense of helplessness and the inadequacy of words or comparisons in the face of such profound grief.
The Book of Lamentations
Lamentations 1: Jerusalem’s Sorrow
The narrator describes Jerusalem sitting alone like a widow who once was great among the nations. The city that was princess among provinces now becomes a slave, and she weeps bitterly in the night with tears on her cheeks. None of her lovers comfort her, and all her friends deal treacherously with her and become her enemies. Judah goes into captivity because of affliction and great servitude, and she dwells among the nations but finds no rest. Her pursuers overtake her between narrow places, and the ways of Zion mourn because no one comes to the solemn feasts.
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