King James Version

What Does Lamentations 2:17 Mean?

Lamentations 2:17 in the King James Version says “The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he ha...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Lamentations 2:17 · KJV

Context

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.

19

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A sobering theological statement: "The LORD hath done that which he had devised" (asah YHWH asher zamam, עָשָׂה יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר זָמָם). The verb zamam (זָמַם) means to plan, purpose, devise. This wasn't divine reaction to unexpected circumstances but execution of predetermined judgment. God's warnings weren't empty threats but promises of certain consequences for persistent covenant breaking. The phrase "he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old" (bitse imrato asher tsivah mimei-kedem) references covenant curses in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 describes escalating curses culminating in exile—exactly what occurred. God is absolutely faithful to His word, whether promises or warnings. This should inspire both confidence in His promises and appropriate fear of His warnings. The result: "he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied" (haras velo chamal). The verb chamal means to spare, pity, have compassion. In judgment, God withheld mercy temporarily because mercy without justice would validate sin. "He hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee" shows that God's sovereignty extends even to enemy actions. Yet this severe picture sets up chapter 3's hope: the same God who faithfully executes warnings will faithfully fulfill promises of restoration (3:22-32).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The covenant warnings given "in the days of old" refer to Moses' farewell addresses in Deuteronomy. After reviewing God's faithfulness and giving the law, Moses laid out blessings for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and curses for disobedience (28:15-68). These weren't arbitrary threats but covenant stipulations that defined Israel's relationship with Yahweh. Specific warnings that came to pass include: cities laid waste (28:16), siege conditions causing famine (28:52-53), cannibalism during siege (28:53-57, fulfilled in 2 Kings 6:28-29 and Lamentations 4:10), death by sword and captivity (28:41, 64), exile among nations where they'd find no rest (28:64-65), and serving foreign gods (28:36). For over 800 years, these warnings stood. Prophets repeatedly cited them (Isaiah 1:19-20, Jeremiah 11:3-5, Ezekiel 33:12-16). The Northern Kingdom's destruction by Assyria in 722 BC should have warned Judah, but they failed to learn (2 Kings 17:13-20, Jeremiah 3:6-10). When Babylon came, God executed exactly what He promised centuries before, demonstrating absolute faithfulness to His word—a terrifying and reassuring reality. This principle—that God always does what He promises—is foundational to biblical faith. Numbers 23:19 declares, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?" His immutability guarantees both judgment on sin and salvation for believers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's perfect faithfulness in executing warnings give us confidence that He will equally fulfill His promises of salvation and eternal life?
  2. What does it mean that God 'devised' and 'purposed' judgment from ancient times, and how does this relate to His sovereignty and foreknowledge?
  3. How should the reality that God sometimes acts 'without pity' in judgment inform our evangelism and urgency in calling sinners to repentance?
  4. In what ways does Christ satisfy both God's justice (executing threatened judgment) and mercy (fulfilling promised salvation) simultaneously at the cross?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
עָשָׂ֨ה1 of 19

“hath done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 19

“The LORD”

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר3 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

זָמָ֗ם4 of 19

“that which he had devised”

H2161

to plan, usually in a bad sense

בִּצַּ֤ע5 of 19

“he hath fulfilled”

H1214

to break off, i.e., (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop

אֶמְרָתוֹ֙6 of 19

“his word”

H565

an utterance

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֣ה8 of 19

“that he had commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

מִֽימֵי9 of 19

“in the days”

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

קֶ֔דֶם10 of 19

“of old”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

הָרַ֖ס11 of 19

“he hath thrown down”

H2040

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

וְלֹ֣א12 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָמָ֑ל13 of 19

“and hath not pitied”

H2550

to commiserate; by implication, to spare

וַיְשַׂמַּ֤ח14 of 19

“to rejoice”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

עָלַ֙יִךְ֙15 of 19
H5921

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

אוֹיֵ֔ב16 of 19

“and he hath caused thine enemy”

H341

hating; an adversary

הֵרִ֖ים17 of 19

“over thee he hath set up”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

קֶ֥רֶן18 of 19

“the horn”

H7161

a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun

צָרָֽיִךְ׃19 of 19

“of thine adversaries”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

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 2:17 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 2:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 5:11Psalms 89:42Leviticus 26:14-46Ezekiel 8:18Lamentations 1:5Deuteronomy 31:16-17

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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