King James Version

What Does Lamentations 2:5 Mean?

Lamentations 2:5 in the King James Version says “The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his stron...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.”

Lamentations 2:5 · KJV

Context

3

He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.

4

He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire. all: Heb. all the desirable of the eye

5

The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

6

And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest. tabernacle: or, hedge

7

The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast. given up: Heb. shut up

Read Lamentations 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One of Scripture's most disturbing statements appears here: "The Lord was as an enemy" (hayah Adonai ke-oyev, הָיָה אֲדֹנָי כְּאוֹיֵב). The covenant LORD (Adonai) who promised to fight for Israel (Exodus 14:14, Deuteronomy 1:30) now fights against her. The preposition ke ("as, like") suggests comparison, yet the actions described are unmistakably hostile: He "swallowed up" Israel and her palaces, destroying strongholds. The verb bala (בָּלַע, "swallowed up") conveys complete consumption—like a monster devouring prey whole. It appears three times in this chapter (verses 2, 5, 16), emphasizing totality. Nothing remains when God acts in judgment. The parallel structure "swallowed up Israel...swallowed up all her palaces...destroyed his strong holds" shows comprehensive devastation affecting the entire nation, not just military targets. The consequence is "multiplied in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation" (vayerev be-bat Yehudah ta'aniyah va'aniyah). The Hebrew pairs two related words for grief—ta'aniyah (mourning) and aniyah (lamentation)—creating alliteration that echoes wailing sounds. When God becomes enemy, His people experience unparalleled sorrow. Yet even this severe language serves redemptive purposes—forcing recognition that apart from God's favor, no strength or wisdom avails (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of God as enemy contradicts pagan religious thinking but reflects biblical covenant theology. Ancient Near Eastern gods were thought to protect their cities automatically. People believed that as long as temples stood and sacrifices continued, divine favor was assured. But Yahweh demanded heart obedience, not mere ritual (1 Samuel 15:22, Psalm 51:16-17, Isaiah 1:11-17). When Israel persisted in covenant breaking despite repeated warnings, God Himself became their enemy—not abandoning them to fate but actively judging them. Isaiah 63:10 summarizes: "they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them." The same divine power that defeated Egypt, Canaan, and Philistia now acted against Judah. The phrase "swallowed up all her palaces" was literally fulfilled. Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed Jerusalem systematically (2 Kings 25:9). The palace complex David and Solomon built was reduced to rubble. Excavations reveal the intensity of the conflagration—stones cracked from heat, ash layers several feet deep, evidence of deliberate, thorough destruction. God's enemies could accomplish only what He permitted for His purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it reveal about God's character that He opposes His own people when they persist in covenant rebellion?
  2. How should the reality that God 'was as an enemy' to Israel inform our understanding of divine discipline in the Christian life (Hebrews 12:5-11)?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge the modern tendency to view God primarily as a friend or helper while minimizing His holiness and justice?
  4. How does Christ bear the full weight of God's enmity against sin (Isaiah 53:4-5, Romans 5:10) so that believers never experience God as enemy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הָיָ֨ה1 of 15
H1961

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

אֲדֹנָ֤י׀2 of 15

“The Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

כְּאוֹיֵב֙3 of 15

“was as an enemy”

H341

hating; an adversary

בִּלַּע֙4 of 15

“he hath swallowed up”

H1104

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל5 of 15

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בִּלַּע֙6 of 15

“he hath swallowed up”

H1104

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

כָּל7 of 15
H3605

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

אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ8 of 15

“all her palaces”

H759

a citadel (from its height)

שִׁחֵ֖ת9 of 15

“he hath destroyed”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

מִבְצָרָ֑יו10 of 15

“his strong holds”

H4013

a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender

וַיֶּ֙רֶב֙11 of 15

“and hath increased”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

בְּבַת12 of 15

“in the daughter”

H1323

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

יְהוּדָ֔ה13 of 15

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

תַּאֲנִיָּ֖ה14 of 15

“mourning”

H8386

lamentation

וַאֲנִיָּֽה׃15 of 15

“and lamentation”

H592

groaning

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 2:5 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 2:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 2:22 Kings 25:9Jeremiah 30:14Lamentations 2:4Jeremiah 52:13Jeremiah 15:1

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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