Lamentations 3:12

“He hath bent his bow, etc.] Which is put for all the instruments, of war; the Chaldeans were archers, and shot their arrows into the city: and set me as a mark for the arrow; as a target to shoot at; signifying that God dealt with him, or his people, as enemies, the object of his wrath and indignation; and if he directed his arrow against them, it must needs hit them; there was no escaping his vengeance; (see <180720>Job 7:20 16:12).”

“(Job 7:20).”

“Having dwelt upon the difficulties which hemmed in his path, he now shows that there are dangers attending upon escape. Lamentations 3:11 The meaning is, “God, as a lion, lying in wait, has made me turn aside from my path, but my flight was in vain, for springing upon me from His ambush lie has torn me in pieces.” Desolate - Or, astonied, stupefied that he cannot flee. The word is a favorite one with Jeremiah. Lamentations 3:12 This new simile arises out of the former one, the idea of a hunter being suggested by that of the bear and lion. When the hunter comes, it is not to save him. Lamentations 3:14 Metaphor is dropped, and Jeremiah shows the real nature of the arrows which rankled in him…”

“3:12 Cp. Job 6:4.”

“bent: Job 6:4, Job 7:20, Job 16:12, Job 16:13; Psa 7:12, Psa 7:13, Psa 38:2 Lamentations 3:13”