Lamentations 1:17
What does Lamentations 1:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 1:17 means
Zion stretches out her hands in desperate appeal, yet no comfort comes. Strikingly, it is Jehovah who has ordered that neighbors become adversaries. Jerusalem is regarded “as an unclean thing,” socially and religiously shunned. The verse insists that the calamity is not outside God’s rule; he has ordained it as chastening. Being treated as unclean signals exclusion from fellowship and worship, the heaviest blow for a people whose identity is bound to God’s presence. The outstretched hands suggest both pleading and surrender. The city recognizes that until God changes his decree, no human aid can suffice. This sober acceptance prepares the way for confession and appeal.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Zion spreadeth forth her hands; there is none to comfort her; Jehovah hath commanded concerning Jacob, that they that are round about him should be his adversaries: Jerusalem is among them as an unclean thing.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the Lord hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Zion spreadeth forth her hands; there is none to comfort her; Jehovah hath commanded concerning Jacob, that they that are round about him should be his adversaries: Jerusalem is among them as an unclean thing.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Zion's hands are outstretched; she has no comforter; the Lord has given orders to the attackers of Jacob round about him: Jerusalem has become like an unclean thing among them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Spread forth hath Zion her hands, There is no comforter for her, Jehovah hath charged concerning Jacob, His neighbours <FI>are<Fi> his adversaries, Jerusalem hath become impure among them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Phe. Sion hath spread forth her hands, there is none to comfort her: the Lord hath commanded against Jacob, his enemies are round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Zion spreadeth forth her hands; there is none to comfort her; Jehovah hath commanded concerning Jacob, [that] his adversaries [should be] round about him; Jerusalem is as an impurity among them.
Context
Verse 17 follows the cry of tears (verse 16) with theological acknowledgement: the Lord has commanded this adversarial encirclement. This sets the stage for an explicit confession in verse 18, “Jehovah is righteous; for I have rebelled.” The flow reinforces that lament is not accusation against God but agreement with his justice, even while asking him to see and to act. What follows widens the lament’s circle—summoning the nations to witness sorrow (verse 18), recounting failed allies and dying leaders (verse 19), and returning to prayer for God’s regard (verse 20).
v.16For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water; Because the comforter that should refresh my soul is far from me: My children are desolate, because the enemy hath prevailed.
v.17This passage
v.18Jehovah is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: Hear, I pray you, all ye peoples, and behold my sorrow: My virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 25:1
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it round about.
- Lamentations 4:15
Depart ye, they cried unto them, Unclean! depart, depart, touch not! When they fled away and wandered, men said among the nations, They shall no more sojourn here.
- Ezekiel 7:23
Make the chain; for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
- 1 Kings 8:22
And Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;
- Lamentations 2:17
Jehovah hath done that which he purposed; he hath fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old; He hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: And he hath caused the enemy to rejoice over thee; he hath exalted the horn of thine adversaries.
- Hosea 8:8
Israel is swallowed up: now are they among the nations as a vessel wherein none delighteth.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Lamentations 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Lamentations 1.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Faithfulness
Faithfulness describes a person’s loyal and steadfast devotion to God, and also God’s unchanging, unfailing character.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Faithfulness of God
God’s faithfulness is a cornerstone of our hope, revealing His unwavering character and His commitment to His promises through all generations.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Mercy of God
God’s mercy is a profound aspect of His character, showing His compassionate love and steadfast faithfulness toward humanity
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Anniversary of a Loss
When the calendar remembers — verses for the day you can't forget.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Hopeless
When the future has gone gray — verses that don't lecture, only hold.