King James Version

What Does Lamentations 1:16 Mean?

Lamentations 1:16 in the King James Version says “For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul i...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. relieve: Heb. bring back”

Lamentations 1:16 · KJV

Context

14

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.

15

The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress. the virgin: or, the winepress of the virgin, etc

16

For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. relieve: Heb. bring back

17

Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.

18

The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. commandment: Heb. mouth

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse captures profound personal anguish: "For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water." The repetition of eini eini (עֵינִי עֵינִי, "my eye, my eye") emphasizes the intensity of grief. In Hebrew poetry, repetition conveys emotional overwhelm. The continuous flow of tears (yarad mayim, יָרַד מַיִם) suggests uncontrollable, ceaseless weeping. The core problem appears next: "because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me" (rachak mimeni menachem meshiv nafshi). The Hebrew menachem (מְנַחֵם) means "comforter, consoler"—the same root as Nahum ("comfort") and related to the Holy Spirit's title "Comforter" (Parakletos, John 14:16, 26). Human comforters prove distant and inadequate. Some Jewish interpreters see this as lamenting God's apparent absence, though ultimately He is the only true comforter. The verse concludes with devastating consequences: "my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed." The Hebrew shomemim (שֹׁמְמִים, "desolate") describes utter devastation—abandoned, ruined, hopeless. The enemy's victory (gavar oyev) appears complete. Yet within Lamentations' broader context, this very honesty before God prepares for the hope of chapter 3:22-26. Only by facing the depth of judgment can we appreciate the greatness of mercy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The absence of comforters reflects Judah's complete isolation following Jerusalem's fall. Neighboring nations offered no help; some actively celebrated (Obadiah 1:10-14, Lamentations 1:2). Egyptian allies who encouraged Judah's rebellion against Babylon abandoned them when Nebuchadnezzar's army approached (Jeremiah 37:5-10). Within the theological framework, this absence previews humanity's deeper need. Human comforters ultimately fail because they cannot address sin's root problem. Only God can restore what judgment has broken. The prophets promised that God Himself would comfort His people (Isaiah 40:1-2, 51:3, 12, 66:13), a promise fulfilled in Christ and the Holy Spirit. The reference to "desolate children" reflects the horrific reality of 586 BC. Jeremiah 39:6 records that Nebuchadnezzar slaughtered Zedekiah's sons before his eyes. Mothers watched children starve during the siege (Lamentations 2:11-12, 4:4, 10). The exile separated families, with some deported, some killed, some fleeing to Egypt (Jeremiah 43:4-7). The enemy's prevailing meant not just political defeat but the shattering of families and generational hope.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you experienced the inadequacy of human comforters, and how did this drive you toward God as the only true source of comfort?
  2. How does the repetition 'mine eye, mine eye' encourage us to be honest about our grief and pain before God rather than suppressing or denying it?
  3. In what ways does Christ fulfill the role of the Comforter who seemed far from Jerusalem, and how does the Holy Spirit's title Parakletos connect to this verse?
  4. What does it mean that sometimes we must fully experience the absence of human comfort to appreciate the sufficiency of divine comfort?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
עַל1 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֵ֣לֶּה׀2 of 20
H428

these or those

אֲנִ֣י3 of 20
H589

i

בוֹכִיָּ֗ה4 of 20

“For these things I weep”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

עֵינִי֙5 of 20

“mine eye”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עֵינִי֙6 of 20

“mine eye”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יֹ֣רְדָה7 of 20

“runneth down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מַּ֔יִם8 of 20

“with water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

כִּֽי9 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רָחַ֥ק10 of 20

“is far”

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מִמֶּ֛נִּי11 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

מְנַחֵ֖ם12 of 20

“because the comforter”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

מֵשִׁ֣יב13 of 20

“that should relieve”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

נַפְשִׁ֑י14 of 20

“my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

הָי֤וּ15 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָנַי֙16 of 20

“from me my children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שֽׁוֹמֵמִ֔ים17 of 20

“are desolate”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

כִּ֥י18 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

גָבַ֖ר19 of 20

“prevailed”

H1396

to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently

אוֹיֵֽב׃20 of 20

“because the enemy”

H341

hating; an adversary

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Lamentations. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Lamentations 1:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Lamentations 1:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 119:136Lamentations 1:2Jeremiah 13:17Lamentations 2:18Lamentations 3:48-49Jeremiah 14:17

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