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Lamentations 1:5

Old Testament Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Lamentations 1:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper; For Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: Her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper; For Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: Her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary.
Lamentations 1:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Lamentations 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; Among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they are become her enemies.
3Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude; She dwelleth among the nations, she findeth no rest: All her persecutors overtook her within the straits.
4The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn assembly; All her gates are desolate, her priests do sigh: Her virgins are afflicted, and she herself is in bitterness.
5Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper; For Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: Her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary.
6And from the daughter of Zion all her majesty is departed: Her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, And they are gone without strength before the pursuer.
7Jerusalem remembereth in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that were from the days of old: When her people fell into the hand of the adversary, and none did help her, The adversaries saw her, they did mock at her desolations.
8Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is become as an unclean thing; All that honored her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: Yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Her adversaries are the chief, etc.] Or, “for the head” f13; or are the head, as was threatened, (<052844>Deuteronomy 28:44); and now fulfilled; the Chaldeans having got the dominion over the Jews, and obliged them to be subject to them: her enemies prosper; in wealth and riches, in grandeur and glory; live in ease and tranquillity, enjoying all outward felicity and happiness; while Zion was in distress; which was an aggravation of it; and yet this was but righteous judgment: for the Lord hath afflicted her; who is righteous in all his ways: the Chaldeans were but instruments; the evil was from the Lord, according to his will and righteous determination, as appears by what follows: for the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the chief--rule her (Deu 28:43-44). adversaries . . . prosper; for the Lord--All the foes' attempts would have failed, had not God delivered His people into their hands (Jer 30:15).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Are the chief ... prosper - Or, “are become the head”... are at rest. Judaea is so entirely crushed that her enemies did not need to take precautions against resistance on her part. Children - i. e. “young children,” who are driven before the enemy (literally the adversary), not as a flock of lambs which follow the shepherd, but for sale as slaves. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:5 for her many sins: Judah’s sins before the Babylonian invasion are outlined in 2 Kgs 21:1-9, 16; 24:3-4 (cp. 2 Chr 33:1-10, 22-23 and 2 Chr 36:11-16). Similarly, a list of Israel’s sins before Assyria destroyed it is found in 2 Kgs 17:14-23.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“adversaries: Lam 2:17, Lam 3:46; Lev 26:17; Deu 28:43, Deu 28:44; Psa 80:6, Psa 89:42; Isa 63:18; Jer 12:7; Mic 7:8-10 for: Lam 1:18, Lam 3:39-43; Lev. 26:15-46; Deu 4:25-27, 28:15-68, Deu 29:18-28; Deu 31:16-18, Deu 31:29, Deu 32:15-27; Ch2 36:14-16; Neh 9:33, Neh 9:34; Psa 90:7, Psa 90:8; Jer 5:3-9, Jer 5:29, Jer 23:14, Jer 30:14, Jer 30:15, Jer 44:21, Jer 44:22; Eze 8:17, Eze 8:18, Eze 9:9, Eze 22:24-31; Dan 9:7-16; Mic 3:9-12; Zep 3:1-8 her children: Jer 39:9, Jer 52:27-30 Lamentations 1:6”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Her adversaries or oppressors, in relation to her, have become the head (and Judah thus the tail), as was threatened, Deu 28:44; whereas, according to Deu 28:13 in that same address of Moses, the reverse was intended. Her enemies, knowing that their power is supreme, and that Judah has been completely vanquished, are quite at ease, secure (שׁלוּ, cf. Jer 12:1). This unhappy fate Zion has brought on herself through the multitude of her own transgressions. Her children (עוללים, children of tender age) are driven away by the enemy like a flock. The comparison to a flock of lambs is indicated by לפני. But Zion has not merely lost what she loves most (the tender children), but all her glory; so…”
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Sources and verification