Lamentations 1:17

“Zion spreadeth forth her hands, etc.] Either as submitting to the conqueror, and imploring mercy; or rather as calling to her friends to help and relieve her. The Targum is, “Zion spreadeth out her hands through distress, as a woman spreads out her hands upon the seat to bring forth;” (see <240431>Jeremiah 4:31). Some render the words, “Zion breaks with her hands” f30; that is, breaks bread; and Joseph Kimchi observes, that it was the custom of comforters to break bread to the mourner; but here she herself breaks it with her hands, because there was none to comfort her: [and there is] none to comfort her; to speak a word of comfort to her, or to help her out of her trouble; her children gone…”

“Like a woman in labor-throes (Jer 4:31). menstruous woman--held unclean, and shunned by all; separated from her husband and from the temple (compare Lam 1:8; Lev 14:19, &c.).”

“Spreadeth forth her hands - In prayer Exodus 9:29, Exodus 9:33, but Zion entreats in vain. There is no one to comfort her - not God, for He is chastising her, nor man, for all the neighboring nations have become her enemies. See Lamentations 1:2. That his adversaries ... - Rather, that those round about him should be his adversaries; all the neighboring states should regard him with aversion. Jerusalem is ... - i. e. is become an abomination. The words are virtually the same as in Lamentations 1:8. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Jerusalem - Is become loathsome and filthy. Lamentations 1:19”

“spreadeth: Kg1 8:22, Kg1 8:38; Isa 1:15; Jer 4:31 none: Lam 1:2, Lam 1:9, Lam 1:16, Lam 1:19, Lam 1:21 commanded: Lam 2:1-8, Lam 2:17-22; Kg2 24:2-4, Kg2 25:1; Jer 6:3, Jer 16:6, Jer 21:4, Jer 21:5, Jer 34:22; Eze 7:23, Eze 7:24; Hos 8:8; Luk 19:43, Luk 19:44 Jerusalem: Lam 1:9, Lam 4:15; Lev 15:19-27; Eze 36:17 Lamentations 1:18”

“The complaint regarding the want of comforters is corroborated by the writer, who further developes this thought, and gives some proof of it. By this contemplative digression he breaks in on the lamentation of the city, as if the voice of the weeping one were choked with tears, thus he introduces into the complaint a suitable pause, that both serves to divide the lamentation into two, and also brings a turn in its contents. It is in vain that Zion stretches out her hands (פּרשׁ בּ, to make a spreading out with the hands) for comforters and helpers; there is none she can embrace, for Jahveh has given orders against Jacob, that those round about him should act as oppressors. סביביו are the…”