Lamentations 3:16

“He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, etc.] With gritty bread, such as is made of corn ground with new millstones, the grit of which mixes with the flour; or with stony bread, as Seneca f61 calls a benefit troublesome to others; with bread that has little stones mixed with it, by eating of which the teeth are broken, as Jarchi observes: the phrase signifies afflictions and troubles, which are very grievous and disagreeable, like gravel in the mouth, as sin in its effects often proves, (<202017>Proverbs 20:17); he hath covered me with ashes; as mourners used to be; the word rendered “covered” is only used in this place. Aben Ezra renders it, “he hath defiled me”; and Jarchi and Ben…”

“gravel--referring to the grit that often mixes with bread baked in ashes, as is the custom of baking in the East (Pro 20:17). We fare as hardly as those who eat such bread. The same allusion is in "Covered me with ashes," namely, as bread.”

“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…”

“Ashes - Mourners were wont to throw ashes on their heads. Lamentations 3:19”

“broken: Job 4:10; Psa 3:7, Psa 58:6 gravel: Pro 20:17; Mat 7:9; Luk 11:11 he hath: Psa 102:9 covered me with ashes: or, rolled me in the ashes, Job 2:8; Jer 6:26; Jon 3:6 Lamentations 3:17”