Lamentations 2:10

“The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground, [and] keep silence, etc.] Who used to sit in the gate on thrones of judgment, and passed sentence in causes tried before them; or were wont to give advice and counsel, and were regarded as oracles, now sit on the ground, and dumb, as mourners; (see <180213>Job 2:13); they have cast up dust upon their heads; on their white hairs and gray locks, which bespoke wisdom, and made them grave and venerable: they have girded themselves with sackcloth: after the manner of mourners; who used to be clothed in scarlet and rich apparel, in robes suitable to their office as civil magistrates: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground:…”

“(Job 2:12-13). The "elders," by their example, would draw the others to violent grief. the virgins--who usually are so anxious to set off their personal appearances to advantage.”

“The virgins - The whole city is in a mournful posture. Lamentations 2:11”

“2:10 Burlap (or sackcloth) was made of goat or camel hair and was often used for grain sacks or for items to be carried on pack animals. Poor people wore it as clothing because it was inexpensive, and people in mourning wore it as a sign of their deep sorrow (its dark color matched their mood, and its roughness matched their discomfort). • Throwing dust on their heads and clothing was a sign to neighbors that a family member had died.”

“elders: Lam 4:5, Lam 4:16, Lam 5:12, Lam 5:14; Job 2:13; Isa 3:26, Isa 47:1, Isa 47:5 sit: Sitting on the ground was a posture of mourning and deep distress. Hence the coin struck by Vespasian, on the capture of Jerusalem, has on the obverse side a palm tree, the emblem of Judea, and under it a woman, the emblem of Jerusalem, sitting down, with her elbow on her knee, and her head supported by her hand, with the legend Judea capta. Lam 1:1 and keep: Lam 3:28; Jer 8:14; Amo 5:13, Amo 8:3 cast up: Jos 7:6; Sa2 13:19; Job 2:12; Rev 18:19 they have girded: Isa 15:3, Isa 36:22; Eze 7:18, Eze 27:31; Joe 1:8 the virgins: Lam 1:4; Amo 8:13 Lamentations 2:11”

“The whole of the people have sunk into deep sorrow over this misfortune. The elders, as the counsellors of the city, sit on the ground in silence, from deep sorrow; cf. Job 2:8, Job 2:13, and regarding the tokens of sorrow, Job 2:12; Jer 4:8; Jer 6:26, etc. the virgins of Jerusalem have renounced their gaiety and bowed their head, sorrowing, to the ground; cf. Lam 1:4. Lamentations 2:11”