1. The Book of Lamentations Christine Gervais ENG356-The Bible as Literature February 23, 2015

2. Rembrandt’s depiction of Jeremiah, “The Weeping Prophet” Old Testament Prophet Book of Jeremiah precedes Lamentations in the King James version of the Bible And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. (Jeremiah 1:16) Just say NO to wickedness and idolatry Prophesies destruction and horrors to face Jerusalem due to unrepentant wickedness Message of Redemption and Mercy

3. Baroque depiction of King Nebuchadnezzer and the last King of Judah, Zedekiah Powerful and merciless Babylonean King, reign 634 BC – 562BC. After Judah tried to ally with Egypt, Nebuchadnezzer marched on Jerusalem, pillaging the city and deporting upper classes and craftsmen to Babylonia. Installs puppet king, Zedekiah. Response to Zedekiah’s disobedience, once again marches on Jerusalem. Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon (587 or 586 BC)

4. The Fall of Jerusalem 587 or 586 BC (imposition of Babylonian calendar on Jerusalem and then changed the date of the Babylonian new year. Could account for discrepancy in dates)

5. The Book of Lamentations Structure:  5 chapters  Alphabetic Acrostic (chapters 1-4)  Poetic

6. For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. (1:16) The Book of Lamentations Chapter 1

7. 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.(2:5) 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.(2:21) The Book of Lamentations Chapter 2

8. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (3:22) For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. (3:31,32) The Book of Lamentations Chapter 3

9. The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.(4:4) For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her. (4:6) The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people. (4:10) The Book of Lamentations Chapter 4

10. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us. (5:21,22) The Book of Lamentations Chapter 5

11. Chapter 1: Once-great Jerusalem lies in ruins Chapter 2: God’s wrath destroys even the Temple Chapter 3:Jeremiah’s suffering and hope Chapter 4:Horrors of the siege Chapter 5: Could we start again, please? The Book of Lamentations Summary

12. The Book of Lamentations ENG356 Final Project References Anderson, George C. "Lamentations 2:1–13." Interpretation 69.1 (2015): 78-80. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.. Berlin, Adele. Lamentations: A Commentary. Pbk. ed. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox, 2004. Print. Blank, Sheldon H. 1896-. Jeremiah: Man And Prophet. [1st ed.] Cincinnati: Hebrew Union College Press, 1961. Edwards, Ormond. "The Year Of Jerusalem's Destruction : 2 Addaru 597 BC Reinterpreted." Zeitschrift Für Die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 104.1 (1992): 101-106. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials. Web. 22 Feb. 2015. Eldridge, Victor J. "Jeremiah, Prophet Of Judgment." Review & Expositor 78.3 (1981): 319-330. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials. Web. 22 Feb. 2015. Smelik, Klaas A D. "My Servant Nebuchadnezzar: The Use Of The Epithet "My Servant" For The Babylonian King Nebuchadenezzar In The Book Of Jeremiah." Vetus Testamentum 64.1 (2014): 109-134. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.