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Lamentations 2:1

Old Testament Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Lamentations 2:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger! He hath cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, And hath not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger! He hath cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, And hath not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger.
Lamentations 2:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Lamentations 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger! He hath cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, And hath not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger.
2The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: He hath thrown down in his wrath the strongholds of the daughter of Judah; He hath brought them down to the ground; he hath profaned the kingdom and the princes thereof.
3He hath cut off in fierce anger all the horn of Israel; He hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy: And he hath burned up Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.
4He hath bent his bow like an enemy, he hath stood with his right hand as an adversary, And hath slain all that were pleasant to the eye: In the tent of the daughter of Zion he hath poured out his wrath like fire.
← Lamentations 1:22Lamentations 2:2 →
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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
“How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, etc.] Not their persons for protection, as he did the Israelites at the Red sea, and in the wilderness; nor their sins, which he blots out as a thick cloud; or with such an one as he filled the tabernacle and temple with when dedicated; for this was “in his anger”, in the day of his anger, against Jerusalem; but with the thick and black clouds of calamity and distress; he “beclouded” f41 her, as it may be rendered, and is by Broughton; he drew a veil, or caused a cloud to come over all her brightness and glory, and surrounded her with darkness, that her light and splendour might not be seen. Aben Ezra interprets it,…”
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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
“(Lam. 2:1-22) How--The title of the collection repeated here, and in Lam 4:1. covered . . . with a cloud--that is, with the darkness of ignominy. cast down from heaven unto . . . earth-- (Mat 11:23); dashed down from the highest prosperity to the lowest misery. beauty of Israel--the beautiful temple (Psa 29:2; Psa 74:7; Psa 96:9, Margin; Isa 60:7; Isa 64:11). his footstool--the ark (compare Ch1 28:2, with Psa 99:5; Psa 132:7). They once had gloried more in the ark than in the God whose symbol it was; they now feel it was but His "footstool," yet that it had been a great glory to them that God deigned to use it as such.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“How ... - Or, “How” doth “אדני 'ădonāy cover.” He hath east down etc. By God’s footstool seems to be meant the ark. See Psalms 99:5 note. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“His footstool - His temple; but suffered the Chaldeans to destroy it. Cast down - That is, thrown them down from the highest glory and honour, to the meanest degree of servitude. Lamentations 2:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:1-22 This chapter graphically portrays the Lord as Jerusalem’s destroyer. 2:1 the heights of heaven: Jerusalem’s buildings were splendid, adorned with precious metals and jewels. Jerusalem had the reputation of being the sacred city of the Lord. • his Temple (literally his footstool): Cp. 1 Chr 28:2; Pss 99:5; 132:7.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“How: Lam 1:1, Lam 4:1 covered: Lam 3:43, Lam 3:44; Eze 30:18, Eze 32:7, Eze 32:8; Joe 2:2 and cast: Isa 14:12-15; Eze 28:14-16; Mat 11:23; Luk 10:15, Luk 10:18; Rev 12:7-9 the beauty: Sa1 4:21; Sa2 1:19; Isa 64:11; Eze 7:20-22, Eze 24:21 his footstool: Ch1 28:2; Psa 99:5, Psa 132:7 Lamentations 2:2”
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Related study paths

Read Lamentations 2 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification