King James Version

What Does Lamentations 2:15 Mean?

Lamentations 2:15 in the King James Version says “All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this th...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth? by: Heb. by the way”

Lamentations 2:15 · KJV

Joy

Context

13

What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?

14

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity ; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

15

All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth? by: Heb. by the way

16

All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.

17

The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jerusalem's humiliation becomes public spectacle: "All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem" (safqu aleikh kapayim kol-ovrei derek sharqu vayani'u rosham). Clapping hands, hissing, and head-wagging were ancient gestures of contempt and mockery (Job 27:23, Psalm 44:14, Nahum 3:19). What was once admired is now scorned. The mockers' taunt follows: "saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?" This ironic question recalls Psalm 48:2 and 50:2, which celebrated Jerusalem's beauty and Zion's perfection. The Hebrew kelilat yofi (כְּלִילַת יֹפִי) means "perfection of beauty"—flawless beauty. Mesos kol-ha'arets means "joy of all the earth." These titles described Jerusalem's role as the place where God's glory dwelt and nations would stream to learn His ways (Isaiah 2:2-4). But judgment transformed glory to shame. When God's people fail their calling, the world mocks not just them but the God they represent (Romans 2:24, citing Isaiah 52:5). This public disgrace serves as warning: privileged position brings greater responsibility and, if squandered, greater judgment (Amos 3:2, Luke 12:48). Yet even in mockery, God's redemptive purposes continue—the depth of fall highlights the magnitude of grace needed, which only Christ provides.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem held unique status in the ancient Near East. As Israel's capital and the site of Solomon's temple, it represented the earthly dwelling of the Creator God. The temple's magnificence impressed even pagan rulers (1 Kings 10:4-5). Pilgrims from all tribes traveled there for festivals. Psalm 122 celebrates the joy of going to "the house of the LORD." When Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, surrounding nations reacted with a mixture of shock and gloating. Obadiah 1:11-12 condemns Edom for rejoicing at Judah's calamity: "thou stoodest on the other side...thou shouldest not have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction." Moab, Ammon, and Philistia similarly celebrated (Ezekiel 25:3, 6, 8, 15), viewing Judah's fall as vindication against a nation that claimed special divine favor. The mockery cut deep because it questioned God's power and faithfulness. Pagan nations interpreted Jerusalem's fall as proof that Marduk (Babylon's god) was stronger than Yahweh. Psalm 79:10 and 115:2 lament: "Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?" The prophets consistently maintained that Judah's defeat demonstrated not God's weakness but His justice—He judges His own people more severely than the nations (Amos 3:2, 1 Peter 4:17).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should the transformation from 'perfection of beauty' to object of mockery warn us against spiritual pride and presumption on God's patience?
  2. What does the public nature of Jerusalem's disgrace teach about how covenant unfaithfulness affects God's reputation among unbelievers?
  3. In what ways does Christ restore believers to be the 'city on a hill' (Matthew 5:14) that Jerusalem failed to be?
  4. How can we maintain faithful witness even when facing ridicule, remembering that Jesus endured ultimate mockery for our sake (Matthew 27:39-44)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
סָֽפְק֨וּ1 of 20

“by clap”

H5606

to clap the hands (in token of compact, derision, grief, indignation, or punishment); by implication of satisfaction, to be enough; by implication of

עָלַ֤יִךְ2 of 20
H5921

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

כַּפַּ֙יִם֙3 of 20

“their hands”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

כָּל4 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֹ֣בְרֵי5 of 20

“All that pass”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

דֶ֔רֶךְ6 of 20

“at thee”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

שָֽׁרְקוּ֙7 of 20

“they hiss”

H8319

properly, to be shrill, i.e., to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn)

וַיָּנִ֣עוּ8 of 20

“and wag”

H5128

to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)

רֹאשָׁ֔ם9 of 20

“their head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

עַל10 of 20
H5921

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

בַּ֖ת11 of 20

“at the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם12 of 20

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הֲזֹ֣את13 of 20
H2063

this (often used adverb)

הָעִ֗יר14 of 20

“saying Is this the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

שֶׁיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙15 of 20

“that men call”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כְּלִ֣ילַת16 of 20

“The perfection”

H3632

complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully

יֹ֔פִי17 of 20

“of beauty”

H3308

beauty

מָשׂ֖וֹשׂ18 of 20

“The joy”

H4885

delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling)

לְכָל19 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃20 of 20

“of the whole earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 2:15 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 2:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 18:16Psalms 48:2Ezekiel 25:6Psalms 50:2Jeremiah 19:8Isaiah 64:11

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Lamentations 2 →

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