The center of the book — a triple acrostic, three verses to each letter, spoken by a single sufferer: 'I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.' Out of the depths of siege and darkness rises the book's turning point: the lovingkindnesses of Hashem are not consumed, His mercies are new every morning — great is Your faithfulness. Hashem is good to those who wait for Him; let us search and try our ways, and return to Hashem. From the lowest dungeon the speaker calls, and hears: 'Fear not.'
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
I am the man who has seen affliction By the rod of His wrath.
verse value 1598
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 22 letters. The shortest word is "I" (אֲנִ֤י, 3 letters) and the longest is "His·wrath" (עֶבְרָתֽוֹ, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "the·man" (הַגֶּ֙בֶר֙), "affliction" (עֳנִ֔י), "by·the·rod·of" (בְּשֵׁ֖בֶט). 6 unique roots are used. Full calculation: אֲנִ֤י [I] (61) + הַגֶּ֙בֶר֙ [the·man] (210) + רָאָ֣ה [has·seen] (206) + עֳנִ֔י [affliction] (130) + בְּשֵׁ֖בֶט [by·the·rod·of] (313) + עֶבְרָתֽוֹ [His·wrath] (678) = 1598.
Rashi
I am the man who has seen affliction Jeremiah lamented, saying, “I am the man who has seen affliction,” who has seen affliction more than all the prophets who prophesied concerning the destruction of the Temple, for the Temple was not destroyed in their days, but it was in my days. by the rod of His wrath of the One who chastises and smites, i.e., the Holy One, blessed be He.
Ibn Ezra
“ani ha-gever” (I am the man) — the ancients, of blessed memory, said that Jeremiah wrote this scroll; if so, he is the one who says “I am the man,” or [alternatively] every single one of Israel may say it. “oni” (affliction) — is a construct form, and what is elided [as the governed noun] is “the place of” the captivity or the exile. “ra’ah” (has seen) — in place of “ra’iti” (I have seen); and so too “ve-nish’ar ani” (and I remained). “evrato” (His wrath) — refers back to “all my enemies” [taken together]. And some say that it refers back to the wrath of Hashem, but this is not correct in my view. And this is what the lamenter meant: that the adversary was afflicting him with the rod of his [the adversary’s] wrath.
Alshich
"I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath" — for behold, there are two kinds of suffering: one that comes in the manner of compassion, to arouse [a person] to repentance, and this is for the purpose of healing, like a doctor who cuts into the flesh in order to heal, or like one who strikes a person who has fainted in order to restore his spirit; and the second is in the manner of anger and vengeance. And this is what the prophet laments, saying that he saw, in prophetic vision, the affliction — that is, the sufferings that come "by the rod of His wrath" — meaning, in the manner of anger, and not in the manner of compassion for healing.
He has led me and caused me to walk in darkness and not in light.
verse value 1113
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "He·has·led" (נָהַ֛ג, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·not·light" (וְלֹא־אֽוֹר, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "me" (אוֹתִ֥י), "He·has·led" (נָהַ֛ג), "and·caused·to·walk" (וַיֹּלַ֖ךְ). 5 unique roots are used. First appearance of the root חשך ("darkness") in Lamentations. Full calculation: אוֹתִ֥י [me] (417) + נָהַ֛ג [He·has·led] (58) + וַיֹּלַ֖ךְ [and·caused·to·walk] (66) + חֹ֥שֶׁךְ [darkness] (328) + וְלֹא־אֽוֹר [and·not·light] (244) = 1113.
Ibn Ezra
He led me away from my place, into a place of darkness.
Alshich
"He has led (nahag) and caused me to walk (va-yolech)" — Nahag is said of one who leads by the hand, while yolich is said of one who lets [another] walk ahead of him without leading him. And this the prophet said, [describing] what he saw in the prophetic vision: that He led me by His hand and also caused Israel to walk [before Him], and both were true. "darkness and not light" — That is, He showed me in the prophetic vision that the walking was in the intensity of darkness, and I saw no light whatsoever. From this I have proof that the sufferings were [an expression] of wrath and not for the purpose of healing; for had it been for the purpose of healing, He would have shown me light from within the darkness.
Surely against me He turns His hand again and again all the day.
verse value 591
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "indeed" (אַ֣ךְ, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·the·day" (כׇּל־הַיּֽוֹם, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "He·turns" (יַהֲפֹ֥ךְ). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "all·the·day" (root יום, 20x in Lamentations). Full calculation: אַ֣ךְ [indeed] (21) + בִּ֥י [against·me] (12) + יָשֻׁ֛ב [again] (312) + יַהֲפֹ֥ךְ [He·turns] (115) + יָד֖וֹ [His·hand] (20) + כׇּל־הַיּֽוֹם [all·the·day] (111) = 591.
Rashi
Only against me would He repeatedly I alone am constantly smitten, for the entire repetition of His blows is upon me.
Ibn Ezra
“yahafokh yado” (He turns His hand) — the one who interprets the vav of “be-evrato” [in verse 1] as referring to Hashem will interpret “yahafokh yado” as “His plague,” like “hineih yad Hashem hoyah be-miqnekha” — “behold, the hand of Hashem is upon your cattle” (Exodus 9:3), where the plague itself is called “a hand.”
Alshich
"Surely against me He turns His hand" — They console themselves, saying that none of this is proof to despair, God forbid, of the redemption, for such is the way of the Holy One, blessed be He, with me — to turn His hand and do good to me; and if we return [in repentance], He will return and have mercy on me.
My flesh and my skin has He worn out; He has broken my bones.
verse value 1959
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 21 letters. The shortest word is "He·has·worn·out" (בִּלָּ֤ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "my·bones" (עַצְמוֹתָֽי, 6 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "He·has·worn·out" (בִּלָּ֤ה), "my·flesh" (בְשָׂרִי֙), "and·my·skin" (וְעוֹרִ֔י). 5 unique roots are used. First appearance of the root עור ("and·my·skin") in Lamentations. Full calculation: בִּלָּ֤ה [He·has·worn·out] (37) + בְשָׂרִי֙ [my·flesh] (512) + וְעוֹרִ֔י [and·my·skin] (292) + שִׁבַּ֖ר [He·has·broken] (502) + עַצְמוֹתָֽי [my·bones] (616) = 1959.
Rashi
He has made my flesh and my skin waste away Heb. בִּלָה, like (Isa. 44:19): “to rotten wood (לְבוּל עֵץ).” Another explanation: He has made my flesh and my skin waste away, like (ibid. 51:6): “And the earth shall rot away (תִּבְלֶה) like a garment,” i.e., both young and old lay on the ground with neither pillow nor cushion, and their flesh wore out when they were going into exile.
Ibn Ezra
“balah besari” (He has worn out my flesh) — the flesh and the skin, which have feeling, wore away; but the bones, which have no feeling, were broken.
Alshich
"My flesh...has He worn out" — The Assembly of Israel (Knesset Yisrael) says, lamenting: I nearly have [cause for] despair, for behold, my flesh has He worn out, and my skin, and He has broken my bones; for just as when a bone is broken and no skin and flesh remain intact there is no longer any healing for it, so is it with me — that He has taken from me all the righteous, until, God forbid, my hope of healing was lost.
He has built against me, and compassed me With gall and travail.
verse value 1306
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 18 letters. The shortest word is "He·has·built" (בָּנָ֥ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·travail" (וּתְלָאָֽה, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "He·has·built" (בָּנָ֥ה), "and·compassed" (וַיַּקַּ֖ף), "gall" (רֹ֥אשׁ). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "against·me" (root על, 21x in Lamentations). Full calculation: בָּנָ֥ה [He·has·built] (57) + עָלַ֛י [against·me] (110) + וַיַּקַּ֖ף [and·compassed] (196) + רֹ֥אשׁ [gall] (501) + וּתְלָאָֽה [and·travail] (442) = 1306.
Rashi
and encompassed He encompassed me. gall Heb. רֹאשּׁ, like (Deut. 29: “gall (רֹאשּׁ) and wormwood.” The Midrash Aggadah (Lam. Rabhah), states: רֹאשּׁ refers to Nebuchadnezzar in the exile of Jehoiachin. travail Nebuzaradan, who completed the blow in the days of Zedekiah, and he wearied me.
Ibn Ezra
“vayaqef rosh” (He has compassed me with rosh) — [understood contextually as] with distress and hardships. Or it may be like “ve-ami teluim” (Hosea 11:7), in which case “ha-rosh” would be a feminine noun, with the heh elided, like the heh of “u-se’arah lo hafakh lavan” — “and the hair in it has not turned white” (Leviticus 13:4).
Alshich
"and has compassed me with gall and travail" — For sometimes, even though the illness and the fracture are so severe that it is impossible to be healed by natural means alone, healing can nevertheless come by way of medicines, as our Sages, of blessed memory, said, "imah pa'amim efshar de'avid li samtari ve-chai" (sometimes it is possible that he may prepare for me a remedy, and I shall live). But the Holy One, blessed be He, built against me and compassed me with gall and travail, meaning that the travails are so many that a whole structure was built up against me. Or, it may be said that sometimes afflictions come through a sudden fit of anger, and for these there is hope that the anger will cool and He will have compassion; but if the afflictions come through a multitude of contrivances, in the manner of one building a building, for these there is no hope. And this is the meaning of "He has built against me" — that is, it was not a sudden anger but rather [came] through many causes, like one building a building, in order to surround me on every side with many evil troubles.
He has made me to dwell in dark places, As those who have been long dead.
verse value 1419
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 22 letters. The shortest word is "as·the·dead·of" (כְּמֵתֵ֥י, 4 letters) and the longest is "in·dark·places" (בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּ֥ים, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "in·dark·places" (בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּ֥ים), "He·has·made·me·dwell" (הוֹשִׁיבַ֖נִי), "as·the·dead·of" (כְּמֵתֵ֥י). 4 unique roots are used. First appearance of the root עולם ("long·duration") in Lamentations. Full calculation: בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּ֥ים [in·dark·places] (420) + הוֹשִׁיבַ֖נִי [He·has·made·me·dwell] (383) + כְּמֵתֵ֥י [as·the·dead·of] (470) + עוֹלָֽם [long·duration] (146) = 1419.
Ibn Ezra
“ba-machashakim” (in dark places) — darkness within darkness.
Alshich
"as those long dead" — This matter indicates, God forbid, that the darkness which He showed [me] in the prophetic vision is an eternal darkness, God forbid; like a dead man whose memory is forgotten from the heart, so am I despairing of healing, God forbid.
He has hedged me about, that I cannot go forth; He has made my chain heavy.
verse value 1231
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 23 letters. Notable word values: "about·me" (בַּעֲדִ֛י) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "He·has·hedged" (גָּדַ֧ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "He·has·made·heavy" (הִכְבִּ֥יד, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "about·me" (בַּעֲדִ֛י), "I·go·out" (אֵצֵ֖א), "He·has·made·heavy" (הִכְבִּ֥יד). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·not" (root לא, 29x in Lamentations). Full calculation: גָּדַ֧ר [He·has·hedged] (207) + בַּעֲדִ֛י [about·me] (86) + וְלֹ֥א [and·not] (37) + אֵצֵ֖א [I·go·out] (92) + הִכְבִּ֥יד [He·has·made·heavy] (41) + נְחׇשְׁתִּֽי [my·chain] (768) = 1231.
Rashi
He has fenced me in He has made a wall opposite me so that I should be imprisoned. so that I cannot get out He stationed camps and troops of soldiers lying-in-wait around me. He has made my chains heavy He made heavy fetters for my feet so that I would be unable to walk, f(i)eryes in Old French, chains.
Ibn Ezra
“nichshati” (my chain) — fetters.
Alshich
"He has hedged me about, that I cannot go forth" — He says: the Holy One, blessed be He, has become to me so much like an enemy that it is as though He fenced [me] in and withheld from me the paths of repentance, so that I am unable to turn back from my sin and from my sufferings. "He has made my chain (nechushti) heavy" — It is known that there are four kinds of metals — gold, silver, copper, and lead — and all of them correspond to the deeds of man (as is all explained in the book Ye'arot Devash, Discourse 6; see there). Copper (nechoshet) corresponds to deeds bound up with the evil inclination (yetzer hara), such as eating and cohabitation, which are linked to the deed of the serpent (nachash). This is the meaning of "He has made my nechushti heavy" — namely, my evil inclination, in the deeds bound up with the evil inclination, [causing me] to become defiled through them.
Indeed, when I cry and call for help, He shuts out my prayer.
verse value 2294
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 21 letters. The shortest word is "indeed" (גַּ֣ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·call·for·help" (וַאֲשַׁוֵּ֔עַ, 5 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "indeed" (גַּ֣ם), "I·cry" (אֶזְעַק֙), "and·call·for·help" (וַאֲשַׁוֵּ֔עַ). 6 unique roots are used. Full calculation: גַּ֣ם [indeed] (43) + כִּ֤י [when] (30) + אֶזְעַק֙ [I·cry] (178) + וַאֲשַׁוֵּ֔עַ [and·call·for·help] (383) + שָׂתַ֖ם [He·shuts·out] (740) + תְּפִלָּתִֽי [my·prayer] (920) = 2294.
Rashi
He shuts out my prayer He shut the windows of the sky before it.
Ibn Ezra
“satam” (He shuts out) — [spelled] with a sin as though it were a samekh; and so “hesiru ve-lo yada’ti” — “they turned aside, and I knew it not” (Hosea 8:4).
Alshich
"He shuts out (shatam) my prayer" — Because I have become defiled through my deeds, my prayer is not pure enough to ascend on high.
He has enclosed my ways with hewn stone, He has made my paths crooked.
verse value 1816
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 21 letters. The shortest word is "He·has·enclosed" (גָּדַ֤ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "my·paths" (נְתִיבֹתַ֖י, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "with·hewn·stone" (בְּגָזִ֔ית), "my·paths" (נְתִיבֹתַ֖י), "He·has·made·crooked" (עִוָּֽה). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: גָּדַ֤ר [He·has·enclosed] (207) + דְּרָכַי֙ [my·ways] (234) + בְּגָזִ֔ית [with·hewn·stone] (422) + נְתִיבֹתַ֖י [my·paths] (872) + עִוָּֽה [He·has·made·crooked] (81) = 1816.
Rashi
He has made my paths crooked If I wish to go out, I do not go out on roads paved in a straight way, because of the enemies, but I go out on a crooked road.
Ibn Ezra
“netivotai” (my paths) — the “netivot” are well-known [paths].
Alshich
"He has enclosed my ways" — He so weighed down upon me my nechushti — that is, my evil inclination — that the evil inclination enclosed my ways, that is, the ways of Torah and the mitzvot, with hewn stone. "He has made my paths crooked" — Because he withheld from me the Torah and the mitzvot, I accustomed myself to crooked and corrupted ways.
He is to me as a bear lying in wait, As a lion in secret places.
verse value 1440
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 24 letters. Verse gematria: 1440 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "bear" (דֹּ֣ב, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·secret·places" (בְּמִסְתָּרִֽים, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "bear" (דֹּ֣ב), "lying·in·wait" (אֹרֵ֥ב), "lion" (אֲרִ֖י). The root ארי appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used.
Rashi
He is to me a bear lying in wait The Holy One, blessed be He, turned into a bear lying in wait for me.
Ibn Ezra
“dov” (a bear) — some say that it is the bear’s habit to announce the lion’s approach, but this is far-fetched.
Alshich
"a bear lying in wait" — This refers back to the above: my evil inclination so overpowered me that the evil inclination was to me like a bear lying in wait, to cause me to sin every time. "a lion in secret places" — And afterward, when my measure [of sin] became full, he was to me like a lion in secret places; for just as a lion, when it seizes prey in secret, tears it apart at once, as one tears apart a kid, so did he suddenly bring [calamity] upon me and tear me apart, as one tears apart a kid.
He has turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; He has made me desolate.
verse value 1944
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 22 letters. Verse gematria: 1944 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "desolate" (שֹׁמֵֽם, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·pulled·me·in·pieces" (וַֽיְפַשְּׁחֵ֖נִי, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "He·has·turned·aside" (סוֹרֵ֛ר), "and·pulled·me·in·pieces" (וַֽיְפַשְּׁחֵ֖נִי), "He·has·made·me" (שָׂמַ֥נִי). 5 unique roots are used. First appearance of the root סור ("He·has·turned·aside") in Lamentations. Full calculation: דְּרָכַ֥י [my·ways] (234) + סוֹרֵ֛ר [He·has·turned·aside] (466) + וַֽיְפַשְּׁחֵ֖נִי [and·pulled·me·in·pieces] (464) + שָׂמַ֥נִי [He·has·made·me] (400) + שֹׁמֵֽם [desolate] (380) = 1944.
Rashi
He scattered thorns on my ways Heb. סוֹרֵר, an expression of סִירִים, thorns. סוֹרֵר means that He “thorned” them, He scattered thorns on my ways. He caused me to spread my legs Heb. וַיְפַשְׁחֵנִי, an expression of spreading the legs. One who passes on roads that are not cleared must widen his stride, and there is an example of this in the language of the Gemara (M.K. 10b): “The one who pruned (דְפָשַׁח) a date palm” [meaning that he separated the branches from the trunk].
Ibn Ezra
Some say that “sorer” (turned aside) is from the root of “sirim” (thorns), as in “hineni sakh et darkekh ba-sirim” — “behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns” (Hosea 2:8). But what is correct in my view is that it is a past-tense verb from the root of “kifrah sorerah” — “a stubborn heifer” (ibid. 4:15).
Alshich
"He has turned aside my ways" — This refers back to "a bear lying in wait": he lay in wait for me so persistently, to cause me to stumble, that he turned aside the ways of the Torah and the mitzvot with thorns and briers, so that I would be unable to fulfill them. And because of this: "and pulled me in pieces" — He made me so wicked that I trampled over the Torah and the mitzvot, and through this: "He has made me desolate" — when the time of punishment came.
He has bent His bow, and set me As a mark for the arrow.
verse value 1606
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 22 letters. The shortest word is "He·has·bent" (דָּרַ֤ךְ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·set·me" (וַיַּצִּיבֵ֔נִי, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "and·set·me" (וַיַּצִּיבֵ֔נִי), "as·the·mark" (כַּמַּטָּרָ֖א), "for·the·arrow" (לַחֵֽץ). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: דָּרַ֤ךְ [He·has·bent] (224) + קַשְׁתּוֹ֙ [His·bow] (806) + וַיַּצִּיבֵ֔נִי [and·set·me] (178) + כַּמַּטָּרָ֖א [as·the·mark] (270) + לַחֵֽץ [for·the·arrow] (128) = 1606.
Rashi
and set me up as a target He set me up opposite His arrows to shoot at me like a target, asenayl in Old French, target.
Ibn Ezra
“ke-mattara” (as a mark) — the alef stands in place of the feminine heh, and it is from the root of “noter” (to watch/guard).
Alshich
"He has bent His bow, etc." — When the time of punishment came, He bent His bow to shoot at me all His arrows, and made me a mark for the arrow, to shoot His arrows at me so that they would not miss, in order to strike me down.
He has caused the arrows of His quiver To enter into my reins.
verse value 1339
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 18 letters. Notable word values: "He·has·brought" (הֵבִיא֙) = 18, chai, 'life'. Verse gematria: 1339 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "the·sons·of" (בְּנֵ֖י, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·my·reins" (בְּכִלְיֹתָ֔י, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "He·has·brought" (הֵבִיא֙), "in·my·reins" (בְּכִלְיֹתָ֔י), "His·quiver" (אַשְׁפָּתֽוֹ). 4 unique roots are used. Full calculation: הֵבִיא֙ [He·has·brought] (18) + בְּכִלְיֹתָ֔י [in·my·reins] (472) + בְּנֵ֖י [the·sons·of] (62) + אַשְׁפָּתֽוֹ [His·quiver] (787) = 1339.
Rashi
the arrows of His quiver arrows that are placed within the quiver, called cuyvre, quiver.
Ibn Ezra
“ashpato” (His quiver) — he likened the quiver to the womb of a pregnant woman.
Alshich
"He has caused [the arrows] to enter into my reins (kilyotai)" — The evil inclination brought arrows into my thoughts, to cause me to sin even in my thoughts.
I have become a derision to all my people, And their song all the day.
verse value 1707
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 26 letters. The shortest word is "laughter" (שְּׂחֹק֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·all·my·people" (לְכׇל־עַמִּ֔י, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "laughter" (שְּׂחֹק֙), "to·all·my·people" (לְכׇל־עַמִּ֔י), "their·song" (נְגִינָתָ֖ם). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "I·have·become" (root היה, 23x in Lamentations); "all·the·day" (root יום, 20x in Lamentations). Full calculation: הָיִ֤יתִי [I·have·become] (435) + שְּׂחֹק֙ [laughter] (408) + לְכׇל־עַמִּ֔י [to·all·my·people] (200) + נְגִינָתָ֖ם [their·song] (553) + כׇּל־הַיּֽוֹם [all·the·day] (111) = 1707.
Ibn Ezra
“le-khol ami” (to all my people) — to the point that my own people were laughing at me. Or [it means] to all the people who were under my authority, like “et Amaleq ve-et amo” — “Amalek and his people” (Exodus 17:13). Or the yod is superfluous. And “va-tefalteni me-rivei ami” — “You have delivered me from the strivings of my people” (2 Samuel 22:44) is not like “amim” (peoples), for it alludes to Saul; and so he said at the beginning of the song, “u-mikaf Sha’ul” — “and out of the hand of Saul.”
Alshich
"I have become a derision" — Because the prophet said this entire lament in the name of the Assembly of Israel (Knesset Yisrael), he meant to say, in their name, that the prophet had become an object of mockery to them, and this [mockery] brought upon them all this evil. And since he himself is the one speaking, he speaks in the first person on his own behalf — [namely,] that all this came about because, at the time I prophesied evil to them, I was a derision to them. "and their song" — I was to them [a song of mockery], and because of this all these evils came upon you.
He has filled me with bitterness, He has sated me with wormwood.
verse value 1371
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "wormwood" (לַעֲנָֽה, 4 letters) and the longest is "He·has·filled·me" (הִשְׂבִּיעַ֥נִי, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "He·has·filled·me" (הִשְׂבִּיעַ֥נִי), "with·the·bitter·things" (בַמְּרוֹרִ֖ים), "He·has·sated·me" (הִרְוַ֥נִי). 4 unique roots are used. First appearance of the root שבע ("He·has·filled·me") in Lamentations. Full calculation: הִשְׂבִּיעַ֥נִי [He·has·filled·me] (447) + בַמְּרוֹרִ֖ים [with·the·bitter·things] (498) + הִרְוַ֥נִי [He·has·sated·me] (271) + לַעֲנָֽה [wormwood] (155) = 1371.
Ibn Ezra
The bet in “be-merorim” (with bitterness) is superfluous, as also the bet in “bi-dema’ot shalish” — “with tears in large measure” (Psalms 80:6).
Alshich
"He has filled me with bitterness" — Again he speaks in the name of the Assembly of Israel: "He has filled me with bitterness" — He caused me to sin a great deal, for the bitter herb (maror) is sweet at first and bitter in the end; so too sin is sweet at its beginning and bitter at its end. Therefore he likens sin to the bitter herb. "He has sated me with wormwood" — He speaks of the punishment, which is like wormwood, whose beginning and end are both bitter.
He has also broken my teeth with gravel stones, He has made me to wallow in ashes.
verse value 1587
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "my·teeth" (שִׁנָּ֔י, 3 letters) and the longest is "He·has·made·me·wallow" (הִכְפִּישַׁ֖נִי, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "and·He·has·broken" (וַיַּגְרֵ֤ס), "with·the·gravel" (בֶּֽחָצָץ֙), "my·teeth" (שִׁנָּ֔י). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: וַיַּגְרֵ֤ס [and·He·has·broken] (279) + בֶּֽחָצָץ֙ [with·the·gravel] (190) + שִׁנָּ֔י [my·teeth] (360) + הִכְפִּישַׁ֖נִי [He·has·made·me·wallow] (475) + בָּאֵֽפֶר [in·the·ashes] (283) = 1587.
Rashi
He has made...grind Heb. וַיַגְרֵס, and He broke, and an example is (Ps. 119.20): “My soul is crushed (גָרְסָה)”; and similarly (Lev. 2:14): “ground (גֶרֶשּׂ) when still fresh.” on gravel Heb. בֶּחָצָץ, fine pebbles that are in the midst of the dust, for the exiles would knead their dough in the pits that they would dig in the ground, and the gravel would enter it, as the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Ezekiel (12:3), “Make yourself implements for exile,” in which to drink and in which to knead a small cake, so that they should learn and do likewise, as it is stated (ibid. 24:24): “And Ezekiel will be to you for a sign,” but they ridiculed him and did not do so; [so] their teeth were ultimately broken. and caused me to wallow He turned me over in ashes like a vessel inverted on its mouth, adenter in Old French, to throw flat on one’s face. There is a similar word in the Mishnah (sic) (Yev. 107b): Pishon the camel driver measured with an inverted (כְּפוּשָּׁה) measure.
Ibn Ezra
“vayagres” (He has broken) — like “vayishbor” (He broke); and so “garsah nafshi” — “my soul breaks” (Psalms 119:20). “hikhpishani” (He has made me wallow) — has no cognate [elsewhere in Scripture], and the meaning is “He has soiled/defiled me.”
Alshich
"He has also broken my teeth with gravel stones" — At the time of the sin, it was like one eating flour with small stones hidden within it that break the teeth; and at the time of punishment: "He has made me wallow in ashes" — my entire body.
And my soul is removed far off from peace, I forgot prosperity.
verse value 2119
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. Verse gematria: 2119 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "my·soul" (נַפְשִׁ֖י, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·You·have·cast·off" (וַתִּזְנַ֧ח, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "and·You·have·cast·off" (וַתִּזְנַ֧ח), "from·peace" (מִשָּׁל֛וֹם), "I·have·forgotten" (נָשִׁ֥יתִי). 5 unique roots are used. First appearance of the root טוב ("prosperity") in Lamentations. Full calculation: וַתִּזְנַ֧ח [and·You·have·cast·off] (471) + מִשָּׁל֛וֹם [from·peace] (416) + נַפְשִׁ֖י [my·soul] (440) + נָשִׁ֥יתִי [I·have·forgotten] (770) + טוֹבָֽה [prosperity] (22) = 2119.
Ibn Ezra
“vatiznach” (is removed far) — like “vatima’as” (is rejected).
Alshich
"And my soul is removed far off from peace" — Because of the sin that I abandoned the Torah, which is called "peace," therefore: "I forgot prosperity" — I forgot [what comes] from the good.
And I said: ‘My strength has perished, And my expectation from Hashem.’
verse value 1338
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "has·perished" (אָבַ֣ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·my·expectation" (וְתוֹחַלְתִּ֖י, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "and·I·said" (וָאֹמַר֙), "my·strength" (נִצְחִ֔י), "and·my·expectation" (וְתוֹחַלְתִּ֖י). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "from·Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: וָאֹמַר֙ [and·I·said] (247) + אָבַ֣ד [has·perished] (7) + נִצְחִ֔י [my·strength] (158) + וְתוֹחַלְתִּ֖י [and·my·expectation] (860) + מֵיְהֹוָֽה [from·Hashem] (66) = 1338.
Rashi
So I said, Gone is my life Heb. נִצְחִי. I said to myself in the midst of my many troubles, “My world and my hope are gone.”
Ibn Ezra
“nitzchi” (my strength) — my enduring, perpetual standing which I have, as in “va-yez nitzcham al begadai ve-khol malbushai eg’alti” — “their lifeblood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my raiment” (Isaiah 63:3), referring to the blood by which a living creature’s vitality (“nitzcho”) is sustained.
Alshich
"My strength (nitzchi) has perished" — Out of the greatness of the sufferings I said: that which I hope to endure and be everlasting — my expectation has been disappointed.
Remember my affliction and my anguish, The wormwood and the gall.
verse value 1295
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 21 letters. The shortest word is "wormwood" (לַעֲנָ֥ה, 4 letters) and the longest is "remember·my·affliction" (זְכׇר־עׇנְיִ֥י, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "remember·my·affliction" (זְכׇר־עׇנְיִ֥י), "and·my·anguish" (וּמְרוּדִ֖י), "and·gall" (וָרֹֽאשׁ). 4 unique roots are used. Full calculation: זְכׇר־עׇנְיִ֥י [remember·my·affliction] (367) + וּמְרוּדִ֖י [and·my·anguish] (266) + לַעֲנָ֥ה [wormwood] (155) + וָרֹֽאשׁ [and·gall] (507) = 1295.
Rashi
and my misery Heb. וּמְרוּדִי, compleynt, wailing.
Alshich
"Remember my affliction, etc." — They ask of the Holy One, blessed be He: remember for me this merit — that now, what is with me — my affliction (onyi), that is, the sufferings, and my anguish (merudi), that is, the rebellion with which I rebelled against the Holy One, blessed be He — is to me [as] wormwood and gall, in that I regret and am pained over my sins. Wormwood is a food and gall is a drink, that is to say that my food and my drink are [now] wormwood and gall. Thus far.
My soul has them still in remembrance, And is bowed down within me.
verse value 2860
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 26 letters. Verse gematria: 2860 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "within·me" (עָלַ֖י, 3 letters) and the longest is "remembers" (תִּזְכּ֔וֹר, 5 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "still" (זָכ֣וֹר), "remembers" (תִּזְכּ֔וֹר), "and·is·bowed·down" (וְתָשׁ֥וֹחַ). The root זכר appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "within·me" (root על, 21x in Lamentations).
Rashi
well remembers My soul [well remembers] my affliction and my misery and is bowed down within me. This is the simple meaning according to the context of the verse. The Midrash Aggadah (Lam. Rabbah), however, [explains it as follows:] I know that You will ultimately remember what was done to me, but my soul is bowed down within me waiting for the time of remembrance. On this the liturgical poet based [his poem]: “With this I know that You have to remember, but my soul is bowed down within me until You remember.”
Ibn Ezra
“zakhor” (remembers) — an infinitive, like “bi-zkhor beneihem” (in their remembering of their children). Or it is an expression of entreaty to Hashem: “when You remember, my soul — this evil — bows down upon me.”
Alshich
"My soul has them still in remembrance (zachor tizkor)" — We ask of the Holy One, blessed be He, that You remember, in Your mercy, that my affliction and my anguish are to me [as] wormwood and gall. "and is bowed down within me" — Our request is that You subdue my soul within me, so that I will not rebel against You.
Verse structure: 5 words, 21 letters. The shortest word is "this" (זֹ֛את, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·my·heart" (אֶל־לִבִּ֖י, 5 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "this" (זֹ֛את), "I·recall" (אָשִׁ֥יב), "to·my·heart" (אֶל־לִבִּ֖י). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: זֹ֛את [this] (408) + אָשִׁ֥יב [I·recall] (313) + אֶל־לִבִּ֖י [to·my·heart] (73) + עַל־כֵּ֥ן [therefore] (170) + אוֹחִֽיל [I·hope] (55) = 1019.
Rashi
This I reply to my heart After my heart said to me that my hope from the Lord was gone, I will reply this to my heart, and I will continue to hope. Now what is it that I will reply to my heart?
Ibn Ezra
“zot” (this) — the hope/expectation.
Alshich
"This I recall to my mind" — [Refers to] what is stated below; therefore "I have hope in Him."
Surely Hashem's mercies are not consumed, Surely His compassions fail not.
verse value 1046
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 28 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "we·are·not·consumed" (לֹא־תָ֔מְנוּ, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 30: for, for. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "the·lovingkindnesses·of" (חַֽסְדֵ֤י), "we·are·not·consumed" (לֹא־תָ֔מְנוּ), "fail·not" (לֹא־כָל֖וּ). The root כי appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: חַֽסְדֵ֤י [the·lovingkindnesses·of] (82) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + כִּ֣י [for] (30) + לֹא־תָ֔מְנוּ [we·are·not·consumed] (527) + כִּ֥י [for] (30) + לֹא־כָל֖וּ [fail·not] (87) + רַחֲמָֽיו [His·compassions] (264) = 1046.
Rashi
Verily, the kindnesses of the Lord never cease and the entire section until (v. 39): “Why should [a living man] complain? etc.” Indeed, His mercies never fail Heb. כִּי לא תָמְנוּ, like כִּי לֹא תָמוּ. And some explain: כִּי לֹא תָמְנוּ, [for we have not ended] like (Num. 17:27): “Are we then altogether given (תָמְנוּ) to die?” It is [because of] the kindnesses of the Lord that we have not ended, that we have not perished because of our iniquities.
Ibn Ezra
“tamnu” (we are consumed) — according to its plain sense; or the nun stands in place of the missing doubled letter [of the geminate root].
Alshich
"Surely Hashem's mercies are not consumed" — That is to say, by the fact that we were not annihilated under the force of the [evil] decrees — [this is] due to Hashem's mercies; I see thereby that His compassions have not ceased.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
verse value 1468
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "is·great" (רַבָּ֖ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "every·morning" (לַבְּקָרִ֔ים, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "are·new" (חֲדָשִׁים֙), "every·morning" (לַבְּקָרִ֔ים), "is·great" (רַבָּ֖ה). 4 unique roots are used. Full calculation: חֲדָשִׁים֙ [are·new] (362) + לַבְּקָרִ֔ים [every·morning] (382) + רַבָּ֖ה [is·great] (207) + אֱמוּנָתֶֽךָ [Your·faithfulness] (517) = 1468.
Rashi
They are new every morning Your kindnesses are renewed from day to day. great is Your faithfulness Your promise is great, and it is a great thing to believe in You that You will fulfill and keep what You promised us.
Ibn Ezra
“chadashim” (new) — refers to the “chasadim” (mercies). “la-beqarim” (every morning) — every day, like “la-beqarim atzmit” — “every morning I will destroy” (Psalms 101:8). “rabbah” (great) — [meaning] abundant, or according to its plain sense.
Alshich
"They are new every morning" — And furthermore, I see mercies that are renewed every morning. "Great is Your faithfulness" — The mercies consist in this, that You increase Your faithfulness toward me, and You hold our hand so that we do not retreat backward, God forbid, from the greatness of the sufferings. Or, it may be said that the fact that You renew miracles every morning increases the faith in my heart.
’Hashem is my portion’, says my soul; ‘Therefore I will hope in Him.’
verse value 1121
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 27 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "in·Him" (לֽוֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "I·will·hope" (אוֹחִ֥יל, 5 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "my·portion" (חֶלְקִ֤י), "says" (אָמְרָ֣ה), "in·Him" (לֽוֹ). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: חֶלְקִ֤י [my·portion] (148) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + אָמְרָ֣ה [says] (246) + נַפְשִׁ֔י [my·soul] (440) + עַל־כֵּ֖ן [therefore] (170) + אוֹחִ֥יל [I·will·hope] (55) + לֽוֹ [in·Him] (36) = 1121.
Rashi
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul The Lord is my portion; it is therefore proper that I should hope in Him.
Ibn Ezra
“amrah” (says) — to me.
Alshich
"Hashem is my portion" — And so much do You strengthen Your faithfulness toward me, that my soul said, "Hashem is my portion."
Hashem is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul that seeks Him.
verse value 1605
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 21 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "is·good" (ט֤וֹב, 3 letters) and the longest is "seeks·Him" (תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "to·those·who·wait·for·Him" (לְקֹוָ֔ו), "to·the·soul" (לְנֶ֖פֶשׁ), "seeks·Him" (תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: ט֤וֹב [is·good] (17) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + לְקֹוָ֔ו [to·those·who·wait·for·Him] (142) + לְנֶ֖פֶשׁ [to·the·soul] (460) + תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ [seeks·Him] (960) = 1605.
Ibn Ezra
“tidreshenu” (seeks Him) — in truth/sincerely.
Alshich
"Hashem is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him" — The prophet says: Do not despair; you have reason to hope for Him, for Hashem is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks from Him the good — that is, that He will lead it on the path of good.
It is good that a man should quietly wait For the salvation of Hashem.
verse value 1409
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "is·good" (ט֤וֹב, 3 letters) and the longest is "for·the·salvation·of" (לִתְשׁוּעַ֖ת, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "and·waits" (וְיָחִיל֙), "and·silently" (וְדוּמָ֔ם), "for·the·salvation·of" (לִתְשׁוּעַ֖ת). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: ט֤וֹב [is·good] (17) + וְיָחִיל֙ [and·waits] (64) + וְדוּמָ֔ם [and·silently] (96) + לִתְשׁוּעַ֖ת [for·the·salvation·of] (1206) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 1409.
Rashi
It is good that one should wait quietly Heb. טוֹב וְיָחִיל וְדוּמָם. The “vav” of וְיָחִיל is superfluous like the “vav” of (Gen. 36:24): “Ayyah (וְאַיָּה) and Anah.” It is good that a man wait and remain silent and hope for the Lord’s salvation.
Ibn Ezra
The vav of “ve-yachil” (that he should wait) functions like a weak first-root letter (peh rafah) does in the Arabic language.
Alshich
"It is good... and he should wait" — The word "good" refers back to Hashem mentioned in the first verse; that is, Hashem is good if one waits and is silent for His salvation (the vav functions in place of "if," as in "vetzamit vehalachta" — "and you thirst, and you go" — whose meaning is "and if you thirst, [then go]"). "And [wait] quietly for the salvation of Hashem" — This too refers back to the above: that Hashem is good to the one whose entire hope and mourning is only about the fact that they are in exile — and in all their distress, He is distressed — and hopes for the salvation of Hashem, and is not at all troubled about his troubles, only about the exile. "Domem" (silent) is an expression of mourning.
It is good for a man that he bear The yoke in his youth.
verse value 1037
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 21 letters. The shortest word is "yoke" (עֹ֖ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·his·youth" (בִּנְעוּרָֽיו, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "for·the·man" (לַגֶּ֔בֶר), "that·he·bears" (כִּֽי־יִשָּׂ֥א), "in·his·youth" (בִּנְעוּרָֽיו). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "yoke" (root על, 21x in Lamentations). Full calculation: ט֣וֹב [is·good] (17) + לַגֶּ֔בֶר [for·the·man] (235) + כִּֽי־יִשָּׂ֥א [that·he·bears] (341) + עֹ֖ל [yoke] (100) + בִּנְעוּרָֽיו [in·his·youth] (344) = 1037.
Ibn Ezra
“ol” (yoke) — discipline/moral instruction.
Alshich
"The yoke in his youth" — This too refers back to "Hashem is good to those who wait for Him," and he says that the Holy One, blessed be He, is also good to the man who bears the yoke of Torah and mitzvot from his youth, from the time the evil inclination (yetzer hara) begins to stir to emerge, for then the evil inclination has no power to cause him to sin.
Let him sit alone and keep silence, Because He has laid it upon him.
verse value 617
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 19 letters. The shortest word is "because" (כִּ֥י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·let·him·be·silent" (וְיִדֹּ֔ם, 4 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "and·let·him·be·silent" (וְיִדֹּ֔ם), "He·has·laid" (נָטַ֖ל), "upon·him" (עָלָֽיו). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "upon·him" (root על, 21x in Lamentations). Full calculation: יֵשֵׁ֤ב [let·him·sit] (312) + בָּדָד֙ [alone] (10) + וְיִדֹּ֔ם [and·let·him·be·silent] (60) + כִּ֥י [because] (30) + נָטַ֖ל [He·has·laid] (89) + עָלָֽיו [upon·him] (116) = 617.
Rashi
Let him sit solitary Whoever was befallen by mourning and trouble should sit solitary and hope for the best. and wait Heb. וְיִדֹם, an expression of waiting, like (I Sam. 14:9): “If they say thus to us, Wait! (דֹמוּ)” about Jonathan. for He has laid [it] upon him for the Lord of decrees has laid this decree upon him.
Ibn Ezra
“ki natal alav” (because He has laid upon him) — the yoke.
Alshich
"Let him sit alone and keep silence" — Therefore, it is fitting for one who has suffering to sit alone and keep silence, that he wait for the salvation of Hashem and accept it [the suffering] with love, as Rashi explained. "Because He has laid it upon him" — since the Master of decrees has placed this decree upon him.
Let him put his mouth in the dust, If so be there may be hope.
verse value 1781
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 21 letters. Verse gematria: 1781 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "there·is" (יֵ֥שׁ, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·the·dust" (בֶּֽעָפָר֙, 4 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "in·the·dust" (בֶּֽעָפָר֙), "perhaps" (אוּלַ֖י), "there·is" (יֵ֥שׁ). 6 unique roots are used. Full calculation: יִתֵּ֤ן [let·him·put] (460) + בֶּֽעָפָר֙ [in·the·dust] (352) + פִּ֔יהוּ [his·mouth] (101) + אוּלַ֖י [perhaps] (47) + יֵ֥שׁ [there·is] (310) + תִּקְוָֽה [hope] (511) = 1781.
Ibn Ezra
“yiten be-afar pihu” (let him put his mouth in the dust) — let him bow down to his Maker until the dust enters his mouth.
Let him give his cheek to the one who smites him Let him be filled full with reproach.
verse value 1286
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "let·him·give" (יִתֵּ֧ן, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·the·one·who·smites·him" (לְמַכֵּ֛הוּ, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "to·the·one·who·smites·him" (לְמַכֵּ֛הוּ), "cheek" (לֶ֖חִי), "let·him·be·filled" (יִשְׂבַּ֥ע). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: יִתֵּ֧ן [let·him·give] (460) + לְמַכֵּ֛הוּ [to·the·one·who·smites·him] (101) + לֶ֖חִי [cheek] (48) + יִשְׂבַּ֥ע [let·him·be·filled] (382) + בְּחֶרְפָּֽה [with·reproach] (295) = 1286.
Ibn Ezra
The bet in “be-cherpah” (with reproach) is superfluous, like the bet of “hisbi’ani ba-merorim” — “He has sated me with bitterness” (above, verse 15).
Alshich
"Let him give to the one who smites him, etc." — Since he believes that everything is from the Holy One, blessed be He, nothing on account of suffering will be difficult for him.
Verse structure: 5 words, 17 letters. Verse gematria: 377 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "for·ever" (לְעוֹלָ֖ם, 5 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "will·cast·off" (יִזְנַ֛ח). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 29x in Lamentations). Full calculation: כִּ֣י [for] (30) + לֹ֥א [not] (31) + יִזְנַ֛ח [will·cast·off] (75) + לְעוֹלָ֖ם [for·ever] (176) + אֲדֹנָֽי [Lord] (65) = 377.
Rashi
For the Lord will not cast [him] off forever It is therefore good to wait.
Ibn Ezra
“yiznach” (cast off) — [meaning] rejects.
Alshich
"For Hashem will not cast off" — This refers back to what was said above, that suffering should not be difficult for him, but rather that he should sit alone and keep silence, that is, that he should look forward to the salvation of Hashem; and he now gives the reason for this: "for He will not cast off," etc.
For though He cause grief, yet He will have compassion According to the multitude of His mercies.
verse value 654
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "though·He·causes·grief" (אִם־הוֹגָ֔ה, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "though·He·causes·grief" (אִם־הוֹגָ֔ה), "and·He·will·have·compassion" (וְרִחַ֖ם), "according·to·the·multitude·of" (כְּרֹ֥ב). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: כִּ֣י [for] (30) + אִם־הוֹגָ֔ה [though·He·causes·grief] (60) + וְרִחַ֖ם [and·He·will·have·compassion] (254) + כְּרֹ֥ב [according·to·the·multitude·of] (222) + חֲסָדָֽיו [His·mercies] (88) = 654.
Rashi
Though he cause grief If a man brings grief upon himself because of his iniquity, afterwards—He will yet have compassion according to the abundance of His kindness. The words הוֹגָה וְיָגֶה are expressions of תּוּגָה, grief.
Ibn Ezra
“ve-richam” (and He will have compassion) — like “yerachem” (He will have compassion); and such is the way of the language, [as in] “ve-hayah Hashem li le-Elohim” — “and Hashem will be God to me” (Genesis 28:21).
Alshich
"Though He cause grief" — "Hogah" is an expression of sorrow (tugah); that is, even though He causes grief, nevertheless we are confident, and "He will have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies" — that He will have mercy upon us (Rashi).
For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men.
verse value 661
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 21 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·children·of·men" (בְּנֵי־אִֽישׁ, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "He·afflicts" (עִנָּה֙), "from·His·heart" (מִלִּבּ֔וֹ), "and·He·grieves" (וַיַּגֶּ֖ה). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 29x in Lamentations). Full calculation: כִּ֣י [for] (30) + לֹ֤א [not] (31) + עִנָּה֙ [He·afflicts] (125) + מִלִּבּ֔וֹ [from·His·heart] (78) + וַיַּגֶּ֖ה [and·He·grieves] (24) + בְּנֵי־אִֽישׁ [the·children·of·men] (373) = 661.
Rashi
For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of man from His heart and from His will, but the iniquity causes [it].
Ibn Ezra
“mi-libo” (from His heart) — from His own will. “vayagge” (nor grieve) — the alef is in place of a heh, and it is from the heavy, augmented [hif’il] conjugation, like “ha-yetze itakh” — “bring forth with you” (Genesis 8:17).
Alshich
"He does not afflict from His heart" — Likewise, we, the Congregation of Israel, ought to do the same for ourselves — sit alone and keep silence — for the affliction that came upon us through the enemy and oppressor Nebuchadnezzar certainly was not "from His heart," that is, not by His own will. "Nor grieve the children of men" — What He did to cause grief to the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are called "children of men," as Rashi explained (Psalms 4:3) — this was not from His heart and His own will.
To crush under foot All the prisoners of the earth,
verse value 1734
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 22 letters. The shortest word is "all" (כֹּ֖ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "his·feet" (רַגְלָ֔יו, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "to·crush" (לְדַכֵּא֙), "under" (תַּ֣חַת), "his·feet" (רַגְלָ֔יו). 6 unique roots are used. Full calculation: לְדַכֵּא֙ [to·crush] (55) + תַּ֣חַת [under] (808) + רַגְלָ֔יו [his·feet] (249) + כֹּ֖ל [all] (50) + אֲסִ֥ירֵי [the·prisoners·of] (281) + אָֽרֶץ [the·earth] (291) = 1734.
Rashi
[Or] crush under His feet This refers back to, “For He does not willingly afflict to crush under His feet, etc., or pervert the righteous judgment of a man, or distort a man’s dispute, etc.” All these the Lord did not approve. He did not approve of them, and it did not enter His thoughts to do so.
Ibn Ezra
“le-dakke’” (to crush) — the alef in “le-dakke’” is [part of] the root.
Alshich
"To crush, etc." — Stated as a rhetorical question: could it possibly enter one's mind that Nebuchadnezzar, of his own accord and by his own will, did all this — "to crush under his feet" the entire world, such that in his days all the men of the earth were regarded as prisoners bound under him hand and foot? This is not the way of nature. And Nebuchadnezzar did indeed act to the point that he nearly overturned the entire world and terrified the whole earth. And could it enter one's mind, regarding "to subvert a man's cause before the face of the Most High," that what Nebuchadnezzar did was that he himself, [of his own accord,] subverted the cause of every man?
To turn aside the right of a man Before the face of the Most High,
verse value 1447
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "before" (נֶ֖גֶד, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·right·of·a·man" (מִשְׁפַּט־גָּ֔בֶר, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "to·turn·aside" (לְהַטּוֹת֙), "the·right·of·a·man" (מִשְׁפַּט־גָּ֔בֶר), "before" (נֶ֖גֶד). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: לְהַטּוֹת֙ [to·turn·aside] (450) + מִשְׁפַּט־גָּ֔בֶר [the·right·of·a·man] (634) + נֶ֖גֶד [before] (57) + פְּנֵ֥י [the·face·of] (140) + עֶלְיֽוֹן [the·Most·High] (166) = 1447.
Ibn Ezra
“le-hattot” (to turn aside) — the word “hattah” (to turn aside) combined with “mishpat” (justice) is like [saying] “ivvet” (to pervert).
To subvert a man in his cause, The Lord approves not.
verse value 1073
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 21 letters. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֥א, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·his·cause" (בְּרִיב֔וֹ, 5 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "to·subvert" (לְעַוֵּ֤ת), "in·his·cause" (בְּרִיב֔וֹ). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 29x in Lamentations). First appearance of the root אדם ("man") in Lamentations. First appearance of the root ריב ("in·his·cause") in Lamentations. Full calculation: לְעַוֵּ֤ת [to·subvert] (506) + אָדָם֙ [man] (45) + בְּרִיב֔וֹ [in·his·cause] (220) + אֲדֹנָ֖י [Lord] (65) + לֹ֥א [not] (31) + רָאָֽה [has·seen] (206) = 1073.
Rashi
does not approve He does not approve that the heavenly tribunal should distort a person’s dispute, like (Gen. 20:10): “What did you see that you did, etc.”
Ibn Ezra
“lo ra’ah” (approves not) — [meaning that] in [His] wisdom, [He does not approve] that it should be so.
Alshich
"To subvert, etc." — And could it enter one's mind that Hashem did not see all the perversions of justice that Nebuchadnezzar committed against the whole world? Rather, all of it was from Him, blessed be He, for punishment, and Nebuchadnezzar was the rod of His, blessed be He, anger.
Who is he who says, and it comes to pass, When the Lord commands it not?
verse value 921
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "who?" (מִ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·it·comes·to·pass" (וַתֶּ֔הִי, 4 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "says" (אָמַר֙), "and·it·comes·to·pass" (וַתֶּ֔הִי). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 29x in Lamentations); "and·it·comes·to·pass" (root היה, 23x in Lamentations). Full calculation: מִ֣י [who?] (50) + זֶ֤ה [this] (12) + אָמַר֙ [says] (241) + וַתֶּ֔הִי [and·it·comes·to·pass] (421) + אֲדֹנָ֖י [Lord] (65) + לֹ֥א [not] (31) + צִוָּֽה [commands] (101) = 921.
Rashi
"Who is he who says, and it comes to pass," etc.
Alshich
"Who is he who says, and it comes to pass, when Hashem has not commanded it?" — Furthermore, could it enter one's mind that there could be a man such that whatever he decrees and declares comes to pass, if Hashem did not command it? And since all of Nebuchadnezzar's decrees were fulfilled, this certainly was from Hashem. Therefore it is fitting for us to sit alone and keep silence, and to hope for the salvation of Hashem. "Who is he who says, etc." — For behold, even if at times a person sees violence and strife in a city or a country, he nevertheless does not attribute this to the king, because it is impossible for the king to have his eyes open over everything; rather, he appoints officers over each and every city, and it is that officer who commits the wrongdoing, and no blame at all attaches to the king. But with the Holy One, blessed be He, by whose word the entire world came into being, how much more so is the entire world in His hand and under His providence, and He surveys everything in a single glance. Invert [the order of] the verse and interpret it accordingly, as though it said: Is it not Hashem, who is the Master of judgment and the executor of justice — is it not He who "says, and it comes to pass"? If so, how could it enter one's mind that He did not command it, and that not everything is done by His decree? And this verse is stated in a wondrous [rhetorical] manner: "Who is he who says, and it comes to pass, Hashem [has not commanded it]?" — meaning: Hashem, who spoke and the world came into being — did He not command, [asked] as a rhetorical question — did that One not command everything that is done and that befalls us?
Out of the mouth of the Most High proceeds not Evil and good?
verse value 1527
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֣א, 2 letters) and the longest is "Most·High" (עֶלְיוֹן֙, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "from·the·mouth·of" (מִפִּ֤י), "goes·out" (תֵצֵ֔א), "the·evil" (הָרָע֖וֹת). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 29x in Lamentations). Full calculation: מִפִּ֤י [from·the·mouth·of] (130) + עֶלְיוֹן֙ [Most·High] (166) + לֹ֣א [not] (31) + תֵצֵ֔א [goes·out] (491) + הָרָע֖וֹת [the·evil] (681) + וְהַטּֽוֹב [and·the·good] (28) = 1527.
Rashi
[And] by the command of the Most High, etc. And if you attempt to say that this evil did not come to me from His hand, that it is happenstance that it has befallen me, this is not so, for both evil occurrences and good occurrences—who has commanded and they came to pass, unless the Lord ordained? And by His command both evil and good come. But “why should a living man complain? A man for his sins.” Every man should complain about his sins, because they are what bring the evil upon him. (By the command of the Most High, neither good nor evil come Said Rabbi Johanan: Since the day that the Holy One, blessed be He, said, [Deut. 30:15]: “See, I have set before you today life and good, etc.,” neither evil nor good has come from His command, but the evil comes by itself to the one who commits evil and the good to the one who does good. [Lam. Rabbah].) Therefore, what should a man complain about, if not about his sins?
Alshich
"Evil and good do not proceed" — Even though we said that everything is by the decree of the Holy One, blessed be He, nevertheless the choice of the deed, whether for good or for evil, does not proceed from the mouth of the Most High. And as for why it says "the evils" (ha-ra'ot) in the plural but "the good" (ha-tov) in the singular: this is because even the evil punishment does not, in essence, come from Him — for from Him no evil proceeds; rather, it is the sin itself that brings about the evil that comes upon a person, because through the sin one creates a destroying angel who afflicts him, as it is written (Isaiah 64:6-7), "and You have melted us in the hand of our iniquities." This is why it says "the evils" in the plural — because the Holy One is the cause neither of the evil of the deed nor of the evil of the punishment — whereas with "the good," the Holy One is the cause of the good of the reward, but not of the good of the deed, for that depends on man's free choice. And this verse refers back to what was said above, "Who is he who says, and it comes to pass, when Hashem has not commanded it?" — do not say that the Holy One is the essential cause even of the evil deed, for "out of the mouth of the Most High proceed not the evils," since it is the sin itself that does the evil; rather, when there is merit to protect him, the Holy One shelters him with His wing so that evil should not touch him, and when the sin prevails, the Holy One removes His shelter, so that it is as though He gave permission to the destroyer; and therefore — "Out of the mouth of the Most High proceed not the evils and the good" — This too is stated in a wondrous [rhetorical] manner: could it be that out of the mouth of the Most High, who rules over everything, the evils — which are for the purpose of the good — do not proceed? (And the vav of "vehatov" ["and the good"] functions in the sense of a lamed of purpose ["in order to"], as in Yoma chapter 6, mishnah 7: "they placed them in a vessel and burned them" (natnu bemagis vehiktiran), whose meaning is "in order to burn them afterward," since at that time they had not yet burned them; see there.)
Why does a living man complain, A strong man because of his sins?
verse value 954
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 22 letters. Notable word values: "living" (חָ֔י) = 18, chai, 'life'. Verse gematria: 954 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "living" (חָ֔י, 2 letters) and the longest is "why·complains" (מַה־יִּתְאוֹנֵן֙, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "why·complains" (מַה־יִּתְאוֹנֵן֙), "living" (חָ֔י), "because·of·his·sins" (עַל־חֲטָאָֽו). 5 unique roots are used. First appearance of the root חי ("living") in Lamentations. Full calculation: מַה־יִּתְאוֹנֵן֙ [why·complains] (562) + אָדָ֣ם [man] (45) + חָ֔י [living] (18) + גֶּ֖בֶר [strong·man] (205) + עַל־חֲטָאָֽו [because·of·his·sins] (124) = 954.
Ibn Ezra
“yit’onen” (complain) — from the root of “aven” (iniquity/sorrow).
Alshich
"Why does a living man complain" — One who is righteous, at the level of "a living man," has no reason to complain and protest against the Holy One, blessed be He; rather, it is only a man, on account of his sins, who has reason to complain, for they are what cause him distress and harm. Or, it is possible to explain these verses in another way: "A strong man because of his sins" — one who subdues his [evil] inclination and overcomes it has no reason to protest the sufferings that come upon him, since it has been explained above that everything is by decree from the Holy One, blessed be He, and the Holy One is not suspected of executing judgment without justice.
Let us search and try our ways, And return to Hashem.
verse value 1571
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 29 letters. The shortest word is "let·us·search" (נַחְפְּשָׂ֤ה, 5 letters) and the longest is "our·ways" (דְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 369: and·let·us·try, and·let·us·return. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "let·us·search" (נַחְפְּשָׂ֤ה), "our·ways" (דְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙), "and·let·us·try" (וְֽנַחְקֹ֔רָה). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: נַחְפְּשָׂ֤ה [let·us·search] (443) + דְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙ [our·ways] (290) + וְֽנַחְקֹ֔רָה [and·let·us·try] (369) + וְנָשׁ֖וּבָה [and·let·us·return] (369) + עַד־יְהֹוָֽה [to·Hashem] (100) = 1571.
Ibn Ezra
“nachpesah” (let us search) — from the light [qal] conjugation.
Alshich
"Let us search [nachpesah]" — Now we have no remedy except to search our own ways ourselves, and to investigate our sins by comparing them with others, so that our sins may become known to us — for a person does not see his own fault. And after this, "let us return to Hashem." And what is [the meaning of] "our heart with our hands"? Action is called by the name "kapayim" (palms), as we find several times in Scripture, and "lev" (heart) refers to thought. Therefore it says "let us lift up our heart with our hands" — meaning, let us dedicate both action and thought solely to the name of Hashem, and then Hashem will be with us to save us.
Let us lift up our heart with our hands To God in the heavens.
verse value 1076
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "let·us·lift·up" (נִשָּׂ֤א, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·hands" (אֶל־כַּפָּ֔יִם, 6 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "let·us·lift·up" (נִשָּׂ֤א), "our·heart" (לְבָבֵ֙נוּ֙), "to·hands" (אֶל־כַּפָּ֔יִם). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: נִשָּׂ֤א [let·us·lift·up] (351) + לְבָבֵ֙נוּ֙ [our·heart] (90) + אֶל־כַּפָּ֔יִם [to·hands] (181) + אֶל־אֵ֖ל [to·God] (62) + בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם [in·the·heavens] (392) = 1076.
Rashi
Let us lift up our hearts to our hands When we lift up our hands to heaven, let us also lift up our hearts with them, to return, to bring back our hearts before the Omnipresent, blessed be He. (Lam. Rabbah ms.). Another explanation: to our hands to the clouds, to the heavens, as Scripture states (I Kings 18:44): “There is a cloud as small as a man’s palm, rising.” And similarly, (Job 36:32): “Over the clouds (כַּפַּיִם) He covers the rain.” And [according to] the Midrash of our Sages: Let us lift up our hands sincerely to the Holy One, blessed be He, like one who washes his hands with cleanliness, who casts from his hands all contamination, for “he who confesses [his sins] and abandons [them] will obtain mercy, but he who confesses [his sins] but does not abandon [them] is like one who immerses himself while holding a [dead] reptile in his hand.”
Ibn Ezra
“nissa levavenu” (let us lift up our heart) — in the sense of “vayisa mas’ot” — “and he sent portions” (Genesis 43:34).
We have transgressed and have rebelled; You have not pardoned.
verse value 1867
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 24 letters. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֥א, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·have·rebelled" (וּמָרִ֔ינוּ, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "we" (נַ֤חְנוּ), "have·transgressed" (פָשַׁ֙עְנוּ֙), "and·have·rebelled" (וּמָרִ֔ינוּ). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 29x in Lamentations). Full calculation: נַ֤חְנוּ [we] (114) + פָשַׁ֙עְנוּ֙ [have·transgressed] (506) + וּמָרִ֔ינוּ [and·have·rebelled] (312) + אַתָּ֖ה [You] (406) + לֹ֥א [not] (31) + סָלָֽחְתָּ [have·pardoned] (498) = 1867.
Rashi
We have rebelled and have been disob edient This is our way, [that we sinned] because of the evil inclination. You have not forgiven And for You, forgiveness is fitting, for so is Your way.
Ibn Ezra
The alef of “anachnu” (we) is superfluous.
Alshich
"We have transgressed [nachnu]" — and therefore it is written deficient of the letter aleph, to say that at the time we were conducting ourselves under the name "nachnu" (lacking the aleph), the Holy One, Blessed be He, who is the aleph, was not with us; and therefore we transgressed and rebelled — "You have not pardoned."
You have covered with anger and pursued us; You have slain unsparingly.
verse value 2437
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֥א, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·pursued·us" (וַֽתִּרְדְּפֵ֔נוּ, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "and·pursued·us" (וַֽתִּרְדְּפֵ֔נוּ). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 29x in Lamentations). Full calculation: סַכּ֤וֹתָה [You·have·covered] (491) + בָאַף֙ [with·the·anger] (83) + וַֽתִּרְדְּפֵ֔נוּ [and·pursued·us] (746) + הָרַ֖גְתָּ [You·have·slain] (608) + לֹ֥א [not] (31) + חָמָֽלְתָּ [have·spared] (478) = 2437.
Rashi
You have enveloped Yourself with anger You set anger up to be a barrier between You and us, and You pursued us with it.
Ibn Ezra
“sakkotah” (You have covered) — from the geminate [doubled-root] verbs.
Alshich
"You have covered [sakkotah]" — since You did not forgive our iniquities, You made a partition between us and Yourself with anger, "and pursued us" with it, as Rashi explained.
You have covered Yourself with a cloud, So that no prayer can pass through.
verse value 1546
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "to·Yourself" (לָ֔ךְ, 2 letters) and the longest is "You·have·covered" (סַכּ֤וֹתָה, 5 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "with·the·cloud" (בֶֽעָנָן֙), "from·passing" (מֵעֲב֖וֹר), "prayer" (תְּפִלָּֽה). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: סַכּ֤וֹתָה [You·have·covered] (491) + בֶֽעָנָן֙ [with·the·cloud] (172) + לָ֔ךְ [to·Yourself] (50) + מֵעֲב֖וֹר [from·passing] (318) + תְּפִלָּֽה [prayer] (515) = 1546.
You have made us as the offscouring and refuse In the midst of the peoples.
verse value 1466
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "offscouring" (סְחִ֧י, 3 letters) and the longest is "You·have·made·us" (תְּשִׂימֵ֖נוּ, 6 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "offscouring" (סְחִ֧י), "and·refuse" (וּמָא֛וֹס), "You·have·made·us" (תְּשִׂימֵ֖נוּ). 5 unique roots are used. First appearance of the root מאס ("and·refuse") in Lamentations. Full calculation: סְחִ֧י [offscouring] (78) + וּמָא֛וֹס [and·refuse] (113) + תְּשִׂימֵ֖נוּ [You·have·made·us] (806) + בְּקֶ֥רֶב [in·the·midst·of] (304) + הָעַמִּֽים [the·peoples] (165) = 1466.
Rashi
scum and refuse That is נִיעַ in the language of the Mishnah (B.K. 3b), כִּיחוֹ וְנִיעוֹ, his phlegm and his mucus, which is drawn out from the lungs and emitted from the throat. You make us This is in the present tense.
Ibn Ezra
“sechi” (offscouring) — from the root of “ve-sichiti afarah” — “and I will scrape off her dust” (Ezekiel 26:4), in the sense of “tiltul” (being cast about).
Alshich
"You have made us as offscouring and refuse" — this is said in wonderment: could it be that You have made us as offscouring and refuse?
All our enemies have opened their mouth Wide against us.
verse value 606
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "have·opened" (פָּצ֥וּ, 3 letters) and the longest is "all·our·enemies" (כׇּל־אֹיְבֵֽינוּ, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "all·our·enemies" (כׇּל־אֹיְבֵֽינוּ). 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "against·us" (root על, 21x in Lamentations). Full calculation: פָּצ֥וּ [have·opened] (176) + עָלֵ֛ינוּ [against·us] (166) + פִּיהֶ֖ם [their·mouth] (135) + כׇּל־אֹיְבֵֽינוּ [all·our·enemies] (129) = 606.
Ibn Ezra
“patzu” (opened) — [meaning] they opened.
Alshich
"They have opened [their mouth], etc." — meaning: could it be that You have made us as offscouring and refuse? For behold, "all our enemies have opened their mouth," etc.
Terror and the pit have come upon us, Desolation and destruction.
verse value 1911
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 22 letters. Notable word values: "to·us" (לָ֖נוּ) = 86, equal to Elohim. Verse gematria: 1911 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "terror" (פַּ֧חַד, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·destruction" (וְהַשָּֽׁבֶר, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "terror" (פַּ֧חַד), "and·pit" (וָפַ֛חַת), "the·desolation" (הַשֵּׁ֥את). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "has·come" (root היה, 23x in Lamentations). First appearance of the root לנו ("to·us") in Lamentations. Full calculation: פַּ֧חַד [terror] (92) + וָפַ֛חַת [and·pit] (494) + הָ֥יָה [has·come] (20) + לָ֖נוּ [to·us] (86) + הַשֵּׁ֥את [the·desolation] (706) + וְהַשָּֽׁבֶר [and·the·destruction] (513) = 1911.
Rashi
We had terror and pitfalls When we fled because of the terror, we fell into the pit. desolation Heb. הַשֵׁאת, an expression of desolation (שְּׁאִיָה).
Ibn Ezra
“ha-she’t” (desolation) — like “ha-sho’ah” (devastation); the alef ought to be shown/manifest.
Alshich
"Ha-se'et and ha-shever (uplifting and breaking)" — that which You raised us up before, above everything, and the breaking that came upon us afterward, from a high roof to a deep pit, this was for us "terror (pachad) and the pit (fachat)." And although in the precise [Masoretic] texts it is written with the shin dotted on the right side (i.e., as a sin), as also in Rashi, nevertheless one may also explain it in this sense: "ha-se'et" is from the language of striking and incitement (hasata), for wealth is that which incites and seduces a person toward an evil path.
My eye runs down with rivers of water, For the breach of the daughter of my people.
verse value 2081
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 24 letters. The shortest word is "runs·down" (תֵּרַ֣ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "streams·of·water" (פַּלְגֵי־מַ֙יִם֙, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "streams·of·water" (פַּלְגֵי־מַ֙יִם֙), "runs·down" (תֵּרַ֣ד). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·daughter·of·my·people" (root בת, 22x in Lamentations). Full calculation: פַּלְגֵי־מַ֙יִם֙ [streams·of·water] (213) + תֵּרַ֣ד [runs·down] (604) + עֵינִ֔י [my·eye] (140) + עַל־שֶׁ֖בֶר [for·the·breach·of] (602) + בַּת־עַמִּֽי [the·daughter·of·my·people] (522) = 2081.
Ibn Ezra
“palgei mayim” (rivers of water) — rivers are “pelagim” (streams/channels).
Alshich
"Rivers of water, etc." — this is the Shechinah's response, so that they should not despair. (49) "My eye runs down" — this refers back to the Shechinah's response.
My eye is poured out, and ceases not, Without any intermission,
verse value 1479
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 24 letters. The shortest word is "and·not" (וְלֹ֥א, 3 letters) and the longest is "ceasing" (הֲפֻגֽוֹת, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "is·poured·out" (נִגְּרָ֛ה), "ceases" (תִדְמֶ֖ה), "without" (מֵאֵ֥ין). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·not" (root לא, 29x in Lamentations). Full calculation: עֵינִ֧י [my·eye] (140) + נִגְּרָ֛ה [is·poured·out] (258) + וְלֹ֥א [and·not] (37) + תִדְמֶ֖ה [ceases] (449) + מֵאֵ֥ין [without] (101) + הֲפֻגֽוֹת [ceasing] (494) = 1479.
Rashi
without respite without change or cessation.
Ibn Ezra
“tiddemeh” (ceases) — in the sense of “lo tiddemeh le-khol eino” (it does not compare to anything of its kind), but this is far-fetched. The heh of “ha-pugot” (intermissions) is like the tav of “terumot” (contributions).
Verse structure: 4 words, 20 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "and·He·beholds" (וְיֵ֔רֶא, 4 letters) and the longest is "until·He·looks·forth" (עַד־יַשְׁקִ֣יף, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "until·He·looks·forth" (עַד־יַשְׁקִ֣יף), "and·He·beholds" (וְיֵ֔רֶא). 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: עַד־יַשְׁקִ֣יף [until·He·looks·forth] (574) + וְיֵ֔רֶא [and·He·beholds] (217) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + מִשָּׁמָֽיִם [from·heaven] (430) = 1247.
Ibn Ezra
“yashqif” (look forth) — as if the heavens had a window from which He looks forth.
My eye affected my soul, Because of all the daughters of my city.
verse value 1589
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. The shortest word is "because·of·all" (מִכֹּ֖ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "affected" (עֽוֹלְלָ֣ה, 5 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "affected" (עֽוֹלְלָ֣ה), "to·my·soul" (לְנַפְשִׁ֔י), "because·of·all" (מִכֹּ֖ל). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·daughters·of" (root בת, 22x in Lamentations). Full calculation: עֵינִי֙ [my·eye] (140) + עֽוֹלְלָ֣ה [affected] (141) + לְנַפְשִׁ֔י [to·my·soul] (470) + מִכֹּ֖ל [because·of·all] (90) + בְּנ֥וֹת [the·daughters·of] (458) + עִירִֽי [my·city] (290) = 1589.
Rashi
My eye sullies my soul more than all the daughters of my city Jeremiah was from a priestly family, and he said, “My eye, with its tears, sullies my face over myself more than all the daughters of my city.” sullies Heb. עוֹלְלָה, an expression of sullying, like (Job 16:15): “and sullied (וְעוֹלַלְתִּי) my radiance.” more than all the daughters of my city My family has more to cry for than all the daughters of the city, for it was chosen for sanctity and for the service of the Holy One, blessed be He, over all Israel.
Ibn Ezra
Some say that [in] “eini olelah le-nafshi” [“olelah” refers to] the remnant/last-gathered gleanings, and they explain “olelah” like “olelot batzir” — “gleanings of the vintage” (Micah 7:1). But what is correct in my view is that it is from the root of “ve-olel lamo” — “and deal with them” (Lamentations 1:22).
Alshich
"My eye affects my soul, etc." — the nations are called "the daughters of Jerusalem." Now, it is explained in the words of the investigators that when a person sees the greatness of his enemy, it is worse and more bitter to him than all the troubles that come upon a person. Therefore it says "my eye affects my soul" — Knesset Yisrael laments and says: my eyes bring me more harm than all the daughters of my city, because of the good fortune I see that the daughters of my city have.
They have chased me sore like a bird, Who are my enemies without cause.
verse value 777
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "sorely" (צ֥וֹד, 3 letters) and the longest is "have·hunted·me" (צָד֛וּנִי, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "sorely" (צ֥וֹד), "have·hunted·me" (צָד֛וּנִי), "like·the·bird" (כַּצִּפּ֖וֹר). The root צוד appears 2 times in this verse. 4 unique roots are used. First appearance of the root צוד ("sorely") in Lamentations. Full calculation: צ֥וֹד [sorely] (100) + צָד֛וּנִי [have·hunted·me] (160) + כַּצִּפּ֖וֹר [like·the·bird] (396) + אֹיְבַ֥י [my·enemies] (23) + חִנָּֽם [without·cause] (98) = 777.
Ibn Ezra
“chinnam” (without cause) — refers back to “my enemies.”
Alshich
"They have hunted me like a bird" — he reckons the exiles that befell them. For in the Egyptian exile, they "hunted, hunted me like a bird" that is trapped over grains of wheat; so too they hunted me in Egypt over the matter of the wheat that was sold there, and by this means we remained there in an evil snare. And as for what it says "without cause" — this is because Jacob and his sons who went down to Egypt did not go down because of sin.
They have cut off my life in the dungeon, And have cast stones upon me.
verse value 865
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "upon·me" (בִּֽי, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·cast·stone" (וַיַּדּוּ־אֶ֖בֶן, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "have·cut·off" (צָֽמְת֤וּ), "in·the·pit" (בַבּוֹר֙), "and·cast·stone" (וַיַּדּוּ־אֶ֖בֶן). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: צָֽמְת֤וּ [have·cut·off] (536) + בַבּוֹר֙ [in·the·pit] (210) + חַיָּ֔י [my·life] (28) + וַיַּדּוּ־אֶ֖בֶן [and·cast·stone] (79) + בִּֽי [upon·me] (12) = 865.
Rashi
They have confined my life in the dungeon Heb. בַּבּוֹר, in prison. They have confined Heb. צָמְתוּ, they bound, like the junction (צֹמֶת) of the sinews (Hul. 76a); (Song 4:1): “from within your kerchief (לְצַמָתֵךְ),” estreyture in Old French, restriction, tightening. and have cast a stone upon me on the mouth of the dungeon. That is what they did to Daniel, and Jeremiah foresaw it with the holy spirit. They have confined my life in the dungeon And although they confined my life in the dungeon so that I cannot ascend from within it, they did not pay attention to this until they cast a stone upon me.
Alshich
"They have cut off, etc." — this occurred in the Babylonian exile, with Daniel (Rashi).
Waters flowed over my head; I said: ‘I am cut off.’
verse value 2198
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "I·said" (אָמַ֥רְתִּי, 5 letters) and the longest is "flowed·waters" (צָֽפוּ־מַ֥יִם, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "flowed·waters" (צָֽפוּ־מַ֥יִם), "upon·my·head" (עַל־רֹאשִׁ֖י), "I·said" (אָמַ֥רְתִּי). 4 unique roots are used. Full calculation: צָֽפוּ־מַ֥יִם [flowed·waters] (266) + עַל־רֹאשִׁ֖י [upon·my·head] (611) + אָמַ֥רְתִּי [I·said] (651) + נִגְזָֽרְתִּי [I·am·cut·off] (670) = 2198.
Rashi
Water flowed, etc. When a person enters water up to his waist, he still has hope, but if the water flows over his head, he then says, “My hope is gone,” but I do not do this, for “I called, etc.” Water flowed the heathens.
Ibn Ezra
“tzafu” (flowed over) — like “shachu” (Habakkuk 3:6) [they sank down/bowed], from the root of “asher hetzif” — “which He caused to overflow” (Deuteronomy 11:4).
Alshich
"Waters flowed over my head" — in this exile of anguish, the troubles grew so great that the waters seemed as though they were flowing over my head, until I said, "I am cut off."
I called upon Your name, O Hashem, Out of the lowest dungeon.
verse value 2569
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 22 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "Your·name" (שִׁמְךָ֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "lowest" (תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "Your·name" (שִׁמְךָ֙), "from·the·pit·of" (מִבּ֖וֹר), "lowest" (תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: קָרָ֤אתִי [I·called] (711) + שִׁמְךָ֙ [Your·name] (360) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + מִבּ֖וֹר [from·the·pit·of] (248) + תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת [lowest] (1224) = 2569.
Ibn Ezra
“tachtiyot” (the lowest depths) — from the lowest of the depths.
Alshich
"I called out of the lowest dungeon" — he returns to plead, and says: behold, then in Egypt, "I called," etc. — that is, in Egypt, even though I was sunk in deep impurity, until I had almost entered the fiftieth gate [of impurity], nevertheless when I called out to You from there, You heard my voice.
You heard my voice; hide not Your ear at my sighing, at my cry.
verse value 3075
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 30 letters. The shortest word is "my·voice" (קוֹלִ֖י, 4 letters) and the longest is "do·not·hide" (אַל־תַּעְלֵ֧ם, 6 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "my·voice" (קוֹלִ֖י), "do·not·hide" (אַל־תַּעְלֵ֧ם), "Your·ear" (אׇזְנְךָ֛). 6 unique roots are used. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'You·heard', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 4 words. Full calculation: קוֹלִ֖י [my·voice] (146) + שָׁמָ֑עְתָּ [You·heard] (810) + אַל־תַּעְלֵ֧ם [do·not·hide] (571) + אׇזְנְךָ֛ [Your·ear] (78) + לְרַוְחָתִ֖י [at·my·sighing] (654) + לְשַׁוְעָתִֽי [at·my·cry] (816) = 3075.
Ibn Ezra
“le-revachati” (at my sighing) — that You should grant me relief; or, [it means] the time of my relief and my crying out.
Alshich
"Hide not Your ear" — for this we ask, that also now, hide not Your ear. "At my relief, at my cry (le-ravchati le-shav'ati)" — for sins are a partition separating between us and our Father in Heaven, and this is what it means by "le-ravchati": for when the Holy One, Blessed be He, wishes to accept the prayer of the penitent, He must, as it were, burrow a tunnel beneath the Throne of Glory to accept the repentance, as He did for Menasheh. And this is what "le-ravchati" means — that He should widen a place through which our cry may enter before Him.
You drew near in the day that I called upon You; You said: ‘Fear not.’
verse value 2365
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "You·drew·near" (קָרַ֙בְתָּ֙, 4 letters) and the longest is "do·not·fear" (אַל־תִּירָֽא, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "You·drew·near" (קָרַ֙בְתָּ֙), "I·called·You" (אֶקְרָאֶ֔ךָּ), "You·said" (אָמַ֖רְתָּ). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·day" (root יום, 20x in Lamentations). Full calculation: קָרַ֙בְתָּ֙ [You·drew·near] (702) + בְּי֣וֹם [in·day] (58) + אֶקְרָאֶ֔ךָּ [I·called·You] (322) + אָמַ֖רְתָּ [You·said] (641) + אַל־תִּירָֽא [do·not·fear] (642) = 2365.
Rashi
You did draw near when I called on You So were You accustomed in the early days to draw near to me on the day I called.
Ibn Ezra
“qaravta” (You drew near) — I found You near.
Alshich
"You said, fear not" — at the sea You said, "Fear not"; and these verses allude to the Egyptian exile, while the verses that follow allude to the exiles of Babylon and Media, which come next.
O Lord, You have pleaded the causes of my soul; You have redeemed my life.
verse value 1791
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 22 letters. The shortest word is "You·have·pleaded" (רַ֧בְתָּ, 3 letters) and the longest is "Lord" (אֲדֹנָ֛י, 4 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "You·have·pleaded" (רַ֧בְתָּ), "the·causes·of" (רִיבֵ֥י), "You·have·redeemed" (גָּאַ֥לְתָּ). The root ריב appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: רַ֧בְתָּ [You·have·pleaded] (602) + אֲדֹנָ֛י [Lord] (65) + רִיבֵ֥י [the·causes·of] (222) + נַפְשִׁ֖י [my·soul] (440) + גָּאַ֥לְתָּ [You·have·redeemed] (434) + חַיָּֽי [my·life] (28) = 1791.
Rashi
You did plead my cause in days past.
Ibn Ezra
“ravta” (You have pleaded) — that which I was contending, You, Hashem, have contended [on my behalf].
Alshich
"You have redeemed my life" — this corresponds to Daniel, who was saved, while his enemies were devoured by the lions.
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙, 4 letters) and the longest is "You·have·seen" (רָאִ֤יתָה, 5 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "my·wrong" (עַוָּ֣תָתִ֔י), "judge" (שׇׁפְטָ֖ה), "my·cause" (מִשְׁפָּטִֽי). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: רָאִ֤יתָה [You·have·seen] (616) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + עַוָּ֣תָתִ֔י [my·wrong] (886) + שׇׁפְטָ֖ה [judge] (394) + מִשְׁפָּטִֽי [my·cause] (439) = 2361.
Rashi
You have seen wrong done to me, O Lord In this trouble, that my enemies wronged me. judge my cause as You have already done [in times past].
Ibn Ezra
“avvatati” (my wrong) — the injustice that they did to me.
Alshich
"You have seen, Hashem, my wrong" — Knesset Yisrael pleads: even if You see my wrong and my iniquities, be You Yourself the Judge of my cause, and do not leave us in the hand of our enemies, for they act only in a vengeful manner. And therefore it says:
You have seen all their vengeance And all their devices against me.
verse value 2176
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 22 letters. The shortest word is "against·me" (לִֽי, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·their·devices" (כׇּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "all·their·vengeance" (כׇּל־נִקְמָתָ֔ם). 4 unique roots are used. Full calculation: רָאִ֙יתָה֙ [You·have·seen] (616) + כׇּל־נִקְמָתָ֔ם [all·their·vengeance] (680) + כׇּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם [all·their·devices] (840) + לִֽי [against·me] (40) = 2176.
Ibn Ezra
“niqmatam” (their vengeance) — openly, in public.
Alshich
"You have seen all their vengeance" — for You see that when I fall into their hand, they intend to take vengeance on me, and their vengeance is very harsh; therefore I ask that I may fall now into Your hand, and that You be the Judge.
You have heard their taunt, O Hashem, And all their devices against me;
verse value 2514
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 24 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "against·me" (עָלָֽי, 3 letters) and the longest is "all·their·devices" (כׇּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "their·taunt" (חֶרְפָּתָם֙). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations); "against·me" (root על, 21x in Lamentations). Full calculation: שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ [You·have·heard] (810) + חֶרְפָּתָם֙ [their·taunt] (728) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + כׇּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם [all·their·devices] (840) + עָלָֽי [against·me] (110) = 2514.
Ibn Ezra
“cherpatam” (their taunt) — openly.
Alshich
"Their taunt, Hashem" — their taunt is only to revile the living God. "Their devices against me" — are only to do me harm.
Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.
verse value 2023
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 25 letters. The shortest word is "I" (אֲנִ֖י, 3 letters) and the longest is "their·mocking·song" (מַנְגִּינָתָֽם, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "their·sitting·down" (שִׁבְתָּ֤ם), "and·their·rising·up" (וְקִֽימָתָם֙). 5 unique roots are used. Full calculation: שִׁבְתָּ֤ם [their·sitting·down] (742) + וְקִֽימָתָם֙ [and·their·rising·up] (596) + הַבִּ֔יטָה [behold] (31) + אֲנִ֖י [I] (61) + מַנְגִּינָתָֽם [their·mocking·song] (593) = 2023.
Ibn Ezra
“minneginatam” (their song) — like “neginatam” (their song), and the mem is superfluous.
Alshich
"Behold their sitting down, and their rising up" — behold that all their sitting down and rising up concerns only me: I am their song. I am to them in the place of a song, for they mock me continually.
You will render to them a recompense, O Hashem, According to the work of their hands.
verse value 1396
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·them" (לָהֶ֥ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "according·to·the·work·of" (כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה, 5 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "You·will·render" (תָּשִׁ֨יב), "recompense" (גְּמ֛וּל), "according·to·the·work·of" (כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: תָּשִׁ֨יב [You·will·render] (712) + לָהֶ֥ם [to·them] (75) + גְּמ֛וּל [recompense] (79) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה [according·to·the·work·of] (435) + יְדֵיהֶֽם [their·hands] (69) = 1396.
Ibn Ezra
“gemul” (recompense) — is the same whether in construct or absolute form.
Alshich
"Recompense" — corresponding to their thought. "According to the work of their hands" — corresponding to the deed.
You will give them hardness of heart, Your curse to them.
verse value 2376
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 20 letters. Verse gematria: 2376 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "You·will·give" (תִּתֵּ֤ן, 3 letters) and the longest is "hardness·of·heart" (מְגִנַּת־לֵ֔ב, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 75: to·them, to·them. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "You·will·give" (תִּתֵּ֤ן), "hardness·of·heart" (מְגִנַּת־לֵ֔ב), "Your·curse" (תַּאֲלָֽתְךָ֖). The root הם appears 2 times in this verse. 4 unique roots are used. Full calculation: תִּתֵּ֤ן [You·will·give] (850) + לָהֶם֙ [to·them] (75) + מְגִנַּת־לֵ֔ב [hardness·of·heart] (525) + תַּאֲלָֽתְךָ֖ [Your·curse] (851) + לָהֶֽם [to·them] (75) = 2376.
Rashi
Give them a weakness of heart Heb. מְגִנַת לֵב, a breaking of the heart, as Scripture says: (Hosea 11:8): “I shall break you (אֲמַגֶנְךָ), O Israel”; (Gen. 14:20): “who broke (מִגֵן) your adversaries in your hand.” Another explanation: מְגִנַתלֵב, stopping up of the heart, trouble and sighing, which are like a shield against the heart. But he who explains it as an expression of grief (תּוּגָה וְיָגוֹן) is in error, for there is no “nun” in this word, for the “nun” in יָגוֹן is not a radical, but is like the “nun” of הָמוֹן from the root of הָמוּ גוֹיִם and like קָלוֹן from the root of נִקְלֶה, and like the “nun” of צִיוֹן from the root of צִיָה and so the “nun” of שִּׁבְרוֹן from the root of שֶּׁבֶר (and like the “nun” of שִּׁגָעוֹן, שְּׁמָמוֹן. It appears to me that this is the correct reading, and this is easy to understand.) Your curse An expression of (Isa. 19: 13): נוֹאֲלוּ שָׂרֵי צֹעַן, “The princes of Zoan have become foolish.”
Ibn Ezra
“meginnat” (hardness [of heart]) — some say that the dagesh in the nun is extra [doubling it], and it is from the root of “miggen tzarekha” — “has delivered your enemies” (Genesis 14:20), on the pattern of “akhilah” (eating). But what is correct in my view is that it is from [the root of] “ganon ve-hitzil” — “He will defend, He will also deliver” (Isaiah 31:5). “ta’alatekha” (Your curse) — from the root of “alah” (curse), and the tav is superfluous, like “ta’anatah mi yeshivenah” — “her lust, who can turn it back?” (Jeremiah 2:24).
Alshich
"Your curse (ta'alatecha)" — that they should be made foolish in their counsels and in the thoughts they scheme against me (Rashi).
You will pursue them in anger, and destroy them From under the heavens of Hashem.
verse value 2791
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "in·anger" (בְּאַף֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·you·will·destroy·them" (וְתַשְׁמִידֵ֔ם, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Lamentations. Unique to this verse in Lamentations (hapax): "You·will·pursue" (תִּרְדֹּ֤ף), "and·you·will·destroy·them" (וְתַשְׁמִידֵ֔ם), "from·under" (מִתַּ֖חַת). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 32x in Lamentations). Full calculation: תִּרְדֹּ֤ף [You·will·pursue] (684) + בְּאַף֙ [in·anger] (83) + וְתַשְׁמִידֵ֔ם [and·you·will·destroy·them] (800) + מִתַּ֖חַת [from·under] (848) + שְׁמֵ֥י [the·heavens·of] (350) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 2791.
Ibn Ezra
“shemei Hashem” (the heavens of Hashem) — it is like “shamekha” (Your heavens), as in “ve-el Mosheh amar aleh el Hashem” — “and to Moses He said, Come up to Hashem” (Exodus 24:1) [where “Hashem” stands for “You”].
Alshich
"You will pursue in anger" — he asked that the pursuit be in anger, so that they be destroyed from under the heavens of Hashem.
Rashi
Ibn Ezra
Alshich