Lamentations 2:16
All your enemies rail against you; they hiss, they gnash their teeth, they cry: “We have swallowed her! Ah, this is the day we longed for; now we have it; we see it!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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{ "themes": [ "Enemies' cruel exultation", "Long-awaited destruction realized", "Scoffing and brutal hatred", "Divine judgment executed" ] }
The prophet is describing the utter ruin of Jerusalem after its destruction, painting a vivid picture of the enemy's cruel exultation. These invaders aren't just winning; they're gloating, their taunts filled with venom and a sense of triumphant vindication. They see this moment as the ultimate fulfillment of their long-held desires to see Jerusalem destroyed, expressing a ravenous joy as they revel in its downfall.
Imagine the sounds: hissing, gnashing, triumphant shouts. This verse paints a vivid picture of pure, unadulterated hatred directed at Jerusalem.
The enemies' actions are described with intense, visceral imagery.
The Opening Mouth
Opening their mouth signifies not just speaking, but a deliberate, insolent declaration of victory and mockery. It's a public proclamation of their triumph.
Hissing and Gnashing
'Hissing' suggests a venomous, snake-like mockery, while 'gnashing teeth' conveys raw, animalistic fury and intense hatred. Together, they create a chilling auditory assault, demonstrating the depth of their animosity.
Devouring Victory
'We have swallowed her up!' is a powerful metaphor for complete annihilation and consumption. The enemies see Jerusalem not just as defeated, but as utterly devoured, with nothing left.
This wasn't just a random victory; it was the culmination of deep-seated desire and planning. The enemies had waited years, perhaps generations, for this moment.
The enemies' words reveal a profound sense of anticipation and fulfillment.
Earnest Longing
'This is the day we longed for' shows that Jerusalem's destruction wasn't an accident, but a desired outcome. Their hatred had a long history, fueled by envy and opposition.
Fulfilled Expectation
'Now we have it; we see it!' expresses the sheer joy and disbelief of seeing their lifelong aspiration realized. It's the satisfaction of a dream, albeit a dark one, finally coming true.
The Ultimate Goal
This highlights the personal investment and intense focus the enemies had on Jerusalem's ruin. It wasn't just a political or military conquest; it was a deeply personal victory they celebrated.
Understand the original words
'oyeb · Hebrew Noun
A collective term for adversaries or those hostile to God’s people. In a biblical context, enemies often serve as instruments of God's judgment or represent the opposition to the kingdom of God.
This verse captures the cruel triumph of Jerusalem's enemies in the immediate aftermath of its utter destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The exultation reflects a deep-seated animosity, fulfilled at last, seeing the destruction of the city and its Temple as the ultimate victory.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its citizens and scattering them among other conquered peoples.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting prominent citizens, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the start of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar II deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, to Babylon. Jerusalem's temple is partially plundered.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar's armies destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple. The remaining population is exiled to Babylon, leaving the land devastated.
This passage directly echoes the enemies' malicious delight and taunting words, showing this theme of cruel exultation over suffering is a recurring motif in Scripture.
Psalm 22:13Similar to how enemies are depicted as ravening beasts in this psalm, Lamentations portrays them 'opening their mouths' and 'gnashing their teeth' in a savage display of hatred.
Matthew 5:2While Jesus 'opened his mouth' to bless, this verse shows the enemy 'opening their mouth' to curse and devour, highlighting a stark contrast in the nature of speech and its divine vs. human application.
Ezekiel 25:3The enemies in Lamentations hiss and mock, much like the Ammonites are described as rejoicing over Israel's downfall, illustrating a pattern of pagan nations delighting in God's people's distress.
Jeremiah 46:11The enemies' triumphant cry of 'We have swallowed her up!' finds a parallel in the prophet's earlier warnings about God's judgment, underscoring that the enemy's perceived victory is often part of God's sovereign plan.
barnesLamentations 2:16: "All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it."
Seen it - Omit "it." The intensity of the enemy's exultation is shown by the heaping up of unconnected words. We have found what we sought, have seen what we looked for.
pooleLamentations 2:16: "All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it."
As strangers that had no quarrels with nor prejudices against the Jews, passing by their country, and their great city Jerusalem, despised and scorned it; so their enemies with whom they had former quarrels, and who had taker up prejudices against them, they reproached and abu…
{ "themes": [ "Enemies' cruel exultation", "Long-awaited destruction realized", "Scoffing and brutal hatred", "Divine judgment executed" ] }
The prophet is describing the utter ruin of Jerusalem after its destruction, painting a vivid picture of the enemy's cruel exultation. These invaders aren't just winning; they're gloating, their taunts filled with venom and a sense of triumphant vindication. They see this moment as the ultimate fulfillment of their long-held desires to see Jerusalem destroyed, expressing a ravenous joy as they revel in its downfall.
The prophet is describing the utter ruin of Jerusalem after its destruction, painting a vivid picture of the enemy's cruel exultation. These invaders aren't just winning; they're gloating, their taunts filled with venom and a sense of triumphant vindication. They see this moment as the ultimate fulfillment of their long-held desires to see Jerusalem destroyed, expressing a ravenous joy as they revel in its downfall.
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c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, opening the way for exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Temple
Under Persian rule, the second Temple in Jerusalem is completed and dedicated, though it is less grand than Solomon's original.
"All your enemies rail against you; they hiss, they gnash their teeth, they cry: “We have swallowed her! Ah, this is the day we longed for; now we have it; we see it!”" — { "themes": [ "Enemies' cruel exultation", "Long-awaited destruction realized", "Scoffing and brutal hatred", "Divine judgment executed" ] }
