King James Version

What Does Lamentations 2:16 Mean?

Lamentations 2:16 in the King James Version says “All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her u...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Lamentations 2:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Enemies mock openly: "All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee" (patsu aleikh pihem kol-oyevaikh). The phrase "opened their mouth" (patsu pihem) describes wide-mouthed derision and taunting (Job 16:10, Psalm 22:13, 35:21). "They hiss and gnash the teeth" (sharku vayachreku-shen)—hissing expresses contempt (Job 27:23, Jeremiah 19:8), gnashing teeth shows rage (Psalm 35:16, 37:12, Acts 7:54). "They say, We have swallowed her up" (amru bi'anu). The verb bala (בָּלַע, "swallowed") appears in verses 2, 5—now enemies claim credit for what God did. "Certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it" (akh zeh ha-yom shekivinu metsanuhu ra'inu). Enemies celebrate Jerusalem's fall as vindication. This illustrates that while God uses human agents in judgment, they act from wicked motives. God works His purposes through even sinful human actions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 137:7 records Edom's mockery: 'Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.' Obadiah 1:12 condemns: 'thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction.' Archaeological evidence suggests Edom may have actively aided Babylon. The phrase 'We have swallowed her up' reveals that enemies saw themselves as victorious powers, not recognizing God's sovereignty. Yet Jeremiah 50-51 and Isaiah 13-14 promise Babylon's eventual destruction. Ezekiel 25-26 pronounces judgment on nations that mocked Judah. God uses wicked nations to judge His people, then judges those nations for their wickedness (Habakkuk 1:5-11, 2:6-20).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's use of wicked nations as judgment instruments (without excusing their wickedness) demonstrate His absolute sovereignty?
  2. What does enemies' mockery teach about how the world misinterprets God's disciplinary actions toward His people?
  3. How should we respond when others celebrate our trials or failures, and how does Romans 12:19-21 guide our response?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
פָּצ֨וּ1 of 16

“have opened”

H6475

to rend, i.e., open (especially the mouth)

עָלַ֤יִךְ2 of 16
H5921

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

פִּיהֶם֙3 of 16

“their mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

כָּל4 of 16
H3605

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

אֹ֣יְבַ֔יִךְ5 of 16

“All thine enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

שָֽׁרְקוּ֙6 of 16

“against thee they hiss”

H8319

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

וַיַּֽחַרְקוּ7 of 16

“and gnash”

H2786

to grate the teeth

שֵׁ֔ן8 of 16

“the teeth”

H8127

a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff

אָמְר֖וּ9 of 16

“they say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בִּלָּ֑עְנוּ10 of 16

“We have swallowed her up”

H1104

to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy

אַ֣ךְ11 of 16

“certainly”

H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

זֶ֥ה12 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַיּ֛וֹם13 of 16

“this is the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שֶׁקִּוִּינֻ֖הוּ14 of 16

“that we looked for”

H6960

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

מָצָ֥אנוּ15 of 16

“we have found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

רָאִֽינוּ׃16 of 16

“we have seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

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 2:16 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 2:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 35:21Psalms 37:12Lamentations 3:46Job 16:9-10Psalms 56:2Psalms 124:3

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