King James Version

What Does Lamentations 2:22 Mean?

Lamentations 2:22 in the King James Version says “Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD'S anger none escaped nor rema... — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD'S anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.

Lamentations 2:22 · KJV


Context

20

Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord? of a span: or, swaddled with their hands?

21

The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied.

22

Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD'S anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Terror on every side: "Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about" (tikra ke-yom mo'ed megurai mi-saviv). The phrase "as in a solemn day" (ke-yom mo'ed) draws bitter irony—mo'ed refers to appointed feasts when people gathered joyfully. But God has appointed a day of terrors (megurai) instead. "So that in the day of the LORD'S anger none escaped nor remained" (ve-lo hayah be-yom af-YHWH palit vesarid). "None escaped" (lo hayah palit) means no refugee, no survivor. "Nor remained" (vesarid) means no remnant left behind. This seems to contradict that some did survive, but likely uses hyperbole to emphasize judgment's thoroughness. The conclusion is devastating: "those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed" (asher-tipachti veribiti oyevi kilam). The verb tipach (טִפַּח, "swaddled") refers to infant care; ribah (רִבָּה, "brought up") means raising to adulthood. Children nursed and reared with love were consumed by enemies—ultimate parental grief.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ironic use of mo'ed (appointed feast) for appointed terror inverts covenant blessings. Leviticus 23 lists appointed feasts—joyful gatherings for worship and celebration. But Amos 5:18-20 warns that 'the day of the LORD' will be darkness, not light, for the unrighteous. Zephaniah 1:14-18 describes it as 'a day of wrath...of trouble and distress...of wasteness and desolation...of darkness and gloominess.' While some survivors existed (the book of Lamentations itself proves this—someone lived to write it), the devastation was near-total. 2 Kings 25:11-12 states that the captain of the guard 'carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city...But the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.' The imagery of swaddled children consumed emphasizes broken generational hopes—the future destroyed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the ironic inversion of 'appointed feast day' to 'appointed day of terror' illustrate covenant breaking's consequences?
  2. What does the phrase 'none escaped nor remained' teach about judgment's comprehensiveness when God's patience is exhausted?
  3. How should the image of nurtured children being consumed motivate us toward covenant faithfulness for the sake of future generations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
תִּקְרָא֩1 of 17

Thou hast called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בְּי֥וֹם2 of 17

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

מוֹעֵ֤ד3 of 17

as in a solemn

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

מְגוּרַי֙4 of 17

my terrors

H4032

a fright (objective or subjective)

מִסָּבִ֔יב5 of 17

round about

H5439

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

וְלֹ֥א6 of 17
H3808

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

הָיָ֛ה7 of 17
H1961

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

בְּי֥וֹם8 of 17

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

אַף9 of 17

anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

יְהוָ֖ה10 of 17

of the LORD'S

H3068

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

פָּלִ֣יט11 of 17

none escaped

H6412

a refugee

וְשָׂרִ֑יד12 of 17

nor remained

H8300

a survivor

אֲשֶׁר13 of 17
H834

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

טִפַּ֥חְתִּי14 of 17

those that I have swaddled

H2946

to flatten out or extend (as a tent); figuratively, to nurse a child (as promotive of growth)

וְרִבִּ֖יתִי15 of 17

and brought up

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

אֹיְבִ֥י16 of 17

hath mine enemy

H341

hating; an adversary

כִלָּֽם׃17 of 17

consumed

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)


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 2:22 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 2:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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