King James Version

What Does Lamentations 2:8 Mean?

Lamentations 2:8 in the King James Version says “The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn ... — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together. destroying: Heb. swallowing up

Lamentations 2:8 · KJV


Context

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

8

The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together. destroying: Heb. swallowing up

9

Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.

10

The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's determined judgment: "The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion" (chashav YHWH lehashkhit chomat bat-Tsiyon). The verb chashav (חָשַׁב, "purposed, planned, devised") shows deliberate divine intention, not impulsive anger. "He hath stretched out a line" (natah kav)—builders used measuring lines for construction; here God uses one for demolition, ironically reversing creation. Isaiah 34:11 and 2 Kings 21:13 use similar imagery. "He hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying" (lo-heshiv yado mi-bale)—God's hand, once stretched out to build (Psalm 127:1), now to destroy (Isaiah 5:25). "Therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they are languished together" (vaye'evel chel vechomah yachdav umlalu). Walls personified as lamenting demonstrates creation itself mourning when God's purposes are thwarted. Romans 8:22 shows creation groaning under sin's curse. The phrase "languished together" (yachdav umlalu) indicates comprehensive ruin—both outer rampart and inner wall collapse simultaneously.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's fortifications were extensive. Archaeological excavations reveal massive walls from various periods—Solomon's, Hezekiah's, and others. The Broad Wall (Nehemiah 3:8, 12:38) was over 20 feet thick in places. But 2 Kings 25:10 records: 'all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about.' Jeremiah 52:14 confirms this. The deliberate, systematic destruction fulfilled God's stated purpose. He wasn't reacting emotionally but executing predetermined judgment (Jeremiah 25:8-11). The measuring line imagery appears in Zechariah 2:1-2 in reverse—measuring to rebuild Jerusalem. Just as God deliberately destroyed, He would deliberately restore. The theological point: nothing happens randomly. God's sovereignty extends to both judgment and restoration. Even destruction serves His ultimate purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God 'purposing' and 'stretching out a line' for destruction demonstrate that judgment isn't impulsive anger but deliberate justice?
  2. What does it mean that even walls and ramparts 'lament,' and how does this relate to creation groaning under sin's effects (Romans 8:22)?
  3. How does God's deliberate destruction in judgment give confidence that He will equally deliberate in fulfilling promises of restoration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
חָשַׁ֨ב1 of 17

hath purposed

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

יְהוָ֤ה׀2 of 17

The LORD

H3068

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

לְהַשְׁחִית֙3 of 17

to destroy

H7843

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

וְחוֹמָ֖ה4 of 17

and the wall

H2346

a wall of protection

בַּת5 of 17

of the daughter

H1323

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

צִיּ֔וֹן6 of 17

of Zion

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

נָ֣טָה7 of 17

he hath stretched out

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

קָ֔ו8 of 17

a line

H6957

a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord

לֹא9 of 17
H3808

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

הֵשִׁ֥יב10 of 17

he hath not withdrawn

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יָד֖וֹ11 of 17

his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מִבַּלֵּ֑עַ12 of 17

from destroying

H1104

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

וַיַּֽאֲבֶל13 of 17

to lament

H56

to bewail

חֵ֥ל14 of 17

therefore he made the rampart

H2426

an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment

וְחוֹמָ֖ה15 of 17

and the wall

H2346

a wall of protection

יַחְדָּ֥ו16 of 17

together

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

אֻמְלָֽלוּ׃17 of 17

they languished

H535

to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn


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 2:8 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 2:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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