King James Version

What Does Lamentations 1:17 Mean?

Lamentations 1:17 in the King James Version says “Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adv...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Lamentations 1:17 · KJV

Comfort

Context

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

19

I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Isolation compounds suffering: "Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her" (perserah Tsiyon be-yadeha ein menachem lah). The spread hands gesture signals distress and petition (Psalm 143:6, Isaiah 1:15). "No comforter" echoes verses 2, 9, 16—a repeated refrain emphasizing abandonment. "The LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him" (tsivah YHWH le-Ya'akov sevivav tsarav). God commands (tsivah, צִוָּה) enemies to surround Jacob—actively orchestrating judgment. Psalm 76:10 affirms even human wrath serves God's purposes. "Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them" (hayetah Yerushalayim le-nidah beneihem). Nidah (נִדָּה) refers to menstrual uncleanness (Leviticus 15:19-24), rendering one ceremonially defiled and socially isolated. The metaphor is deliberately offensive—what was holy is now unclean, what was honored is now avoided. This represents total reversal of covenant status.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The command for adversaries to surround Jacob was fulfilled literally. Archaeological and biblical evidence shows Babylon's systematic conquest: first campaign (605 BC) subdued region, second (597 BC) captured Jerusalem and exiled nobility, third (586 BC) destroyed city after 18-month siege. Surrounding nations—Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia—aided or celebrated Judah's fall (Psalm 137:7, Obadiah 1:10-14, Ezekiel 25:3, 6, 8, 12, 15, 26:2). The menstrual uncleanness metaphor would powerfully communicate ceremonial defilement. Levitical law required separation during menstruation; the woman couldn't participate in worship or normal social interaction. Similarly, exiled Judah was cut off from temple worship, covenant land, and normal national existence. The comparison to menstruation appears also in Isaiah 64:6: 'all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags' (literally: menstrual garments).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the repeated 'no comforter' refrain emphasize the depth of isolation that covenant breaking produces?
  2. What does it mean that God 'commanded' adversaries to surround His people, and how does this show His sovereignty even in judgment?
  3. How does Christ remove the ceremonial uncleanness of sin, making us holy and acceptable in God's presence (Ephesians 5:25-27, Hebrews 10:19-22)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
פֵּֽרְשָׂ֨ה1 of 15

“spreadeth forth”

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

צִיּ֜וֹן2 of 15

“Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

בְּיָדֶ֗יהָ3 of 15

“her hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֵ֤ין4 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מְנַחֵם֙5 of 15

“and there is none to comfort”

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

לָ֔הּ6 of 15
H0
צִוָּ֧ה7 of 15

“hath commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֛ה8 of 15

“her the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְיַעֲקֹ֖ב9 of 15

“concerning Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

סְבִיבָ֣יו10 of 15

“should be round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

צָרָ֑יו11 of 15

“that his adversaries”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

הָיְתָ֧ה12 of 15
H1961

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

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם13 of 15

“him Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לְנִדָּ֖ה14 of 15

“is as a menstruous woman”

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃15 of 15
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

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 1:17 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 1:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 4:31Isaiah 1:15Lamentations 1:9Lamentations 1:19Jeremiah 21:4-5Jeremiah 34:22

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Lamentations 1 →

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