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How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave. <a href="/nlt/lamentations/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> Jerusalem, once so full of people, is now deserted. She who was once great among the nations now sits alone like a widow. Once the queen of all the earth, she is now a slave. <a href="/esv/lamentations/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave. <a href="/bsb/lamentations/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become a widow. The princess of the provinces has become a slave. <a href="/kjv/lamentations/1.htm">King James Bible</a> How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! <a href="/nkjv/lamentations/1.htm">New King James Version</a> How lonely sits the city That was full of people! How like a widow is she, Who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces Has become a slave! <a href="/nasb_/lamentations/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> How lonely sits the city That once had many people! She has become like a widow Who was once great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces Has become a forced laborer! <a href="/nasb/lamentations/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> How lonely sits the city That was full of people! She has become like a widow Who was once great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces Has become a forced laborer! <a href="/nasb77/lamentations/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> How lonely sits the city That was full of people! She has become like a widow Who was once great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces Has become a forced laborer! <a href="/lsb/lamentations/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> How lonely sits the city That was great with people! She has become like a widow Who was once great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces Has become a forced laborer! <a href="/amp/lamentations/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> How solitary and lonely sits the city [Jerusalem] That was [once] full of people! How like a widow she has become. She who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces, Has become a forced laborer! <a href="/csb/lamentations/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> How she sits alone, the city once crowded with people! She who was great among the nations has become like a widow. The princess among the provinces has been put to forced labor. <a href="/hcsb/lamentations/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> How she sits alone, the city once crowded with people! She who was great among the nations has become like a widow. The princess among the provinces has been put to forced labor. <a href="/asv/lamentations/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! She is become as a widow, that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the provinces is become tributary! <a href="/cev/lamentations/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jerusalem, once so crowded, lies deserted and lonely. This city that was known all over the world is now like a widow. This queen of the nations has been made a slave. <a href="/erv/lamentations/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! <a href="/gwt/lamentations/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Look how deserted Jerusalem is! Once the city was crowded with people. Once it was important among the nations. Now it is a widow. Once it was a princess among the provinces. Now it does forced labor. <a href="/gnt/lamentations/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> How lonely lies Jerusalem, once so full of people! Once honored by the world, she is now like a widow; The noblest of cities has fallen into slavery. <a href="/isv/lamentations/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> How lonely she lies, the city that thronged with people! Like a widow she has become, this great one among nations! The princess among provinces has become a vassal. <a href="/msb/lamentations/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become a widow. The princess of the provinces has become a slave. <a href="/net/lamentations/1.htm">NET Bible</a> Alas! The city once full of people now sits all alone! The prominent lady among the nations has become a widow! The princess who once ruled the provinces has become a forced laborer! <a href="/nheb/lamentations/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> How the city sits solitary, that was full of people. She has become as a widow, who was great among the nations. She who was a princess among the provinces has become a forced laborer. <a href="/wbt/lamentations/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary. <a href="/web/lamentations/1.htm">World English Bible</a> How the city sits solitary, that was full of people! She has become as a widow, who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave! <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/lamentations/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> [ALEPH-BET] How she has sat alone, "" The city abounding with people! She has been as a widow, "" The mighty among nations! Princes among provinces, "" She has become tributary! <a href="/ylt/lamentations/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> How hath she sat alone, The city abounding with people! She hath been as a widow, The mighty among nations! Princes among provinces, She hath become tributary! <a href="/slt/lamentations/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> How sat the city alone being many in people she was as a widow: being many among the nations, being a leader in the provinces, she became for tribute.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/lamentations/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Aleph. How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people! how is the mistress of the Gentiles become as a widow: the princes of provinces made tributary! <a href="/cpdv/lamentations/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Prologue <V P:1>And it happened that, after Israel was driven into captivity, and Jerusalem was deserted, <V P:2>the prophet Jeremiah sat weeping, and he wailed this lamentation in Jerusalem. <V P:3>And sighing with a bitter soul, and mourning, he said: <V 1:1>ALEPH. O how a city once filled with people now sits alone! The Governess of the Gentiles has become like a widow. The Prince of the provinces has been placed under tribute. <a href="/nabre/lamentations/1.htm">New American Bible</a> How solitary sits the city, once filled with people. She who was great among the nations is now like a widow. Once a princess among the provinces, now a toiling slave. <a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> How lonely sits the city that once was full of people! How like a widow she has become, she that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the provinces has become a vassal.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> HOW does the city sit solitary that was full of people! How is she become like a widow! She that was so great among the nations, and she that was a princess of the cities has become a tributary! <a href="/hpbt/lamentations/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Aleph Just as the city sat alone, she was great among the nations! She was like a widow; she was great among the nations. The Head of cities was paying taxes!<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/lamentations/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> HOW DOTH the city sit solitary, That was full of people! How is she become as a widow! She that was great among the nations, And princess among the provinces, How is she become tributary! <a href="/sep/lamentations/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass, after Israel was taken captive, and Jerusalem made desolate, that Jeremias sat weeping, and lamented with this lamentation over Jerusalem, and saidALEPH. How does the city that was filled with people sit solitary! she is become as a widow: she that was magnified among the nations, and princess among the provinces, has become tributary. <a href="/parallel/lamentations/1-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rKrWuOkEqzQ?start=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/lamentations/1.htm">How Lonely Lies the City</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’ê·ḵāh (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">How</a> <a href="/hebrew/910.htm" title="910: ḇā·ḏāḏ (N-ms) -- Isolation, separation. From badad; separate; adverb, separately.">lonely</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yā·šə·ḇāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">lies</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bā·ṯî (Adj-fsc) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">once so full</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘ām (N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of people!</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bå̄·ṯī (Adj-fsc) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">She who was great</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: ḇag·gō·w·yim (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">among the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">has become</a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: kə·’al·mā·nāh (Prep-k:: N-fs) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place.">a widow.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8282.htm" title="8282: śā·rā·ṯî (N-fsc) -- Princess, noble lady. Feminine of sar; a mistress, i.e. Female noble.">The princess</a> <a href="/hebrew/4082.htm" title="4082: bam·mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fp) -- A province. From diyn; properly, a judgeship, i.e. Jurisdiction; by implication, a district; generally, a region.">of the provinces</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">has become</a> <a href="/hebrew/4522.htm" title="4522: lā·mas (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Or mic; from macac; properly, a burden, i.e. A tax in the form of forced labor.">a slave.</a> 2She weeps aloud in the night, with tears upon her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jeremiah/52-30.htm">Jeremiah 52:30</a> in Nebuchadnezzar’s twenty-third year, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried away 745 Jews. So in all, 4,600 people were taken away. <a href="/2_kings/25-8.htm">2 Kings 25:8-10</a> On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over Babylon, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. / He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building. / And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem. <a href="/jeremiah/39-1.htm">Jeremiah 39:1-2</a> In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city. / And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached. <a href="/isaiah/64-10.htm">Isaiah 64:10-11</a> Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wasteland and Jerusalem a desolation. / Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins. <a href="/jeremiah/4-30.htm">Jeremiah 4:30</a> And you, O devastated one, what will you do, though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain; your lovers despise you; they want to take your life. <a href="/ezekiel/24-21.htm">Ezekiel 24:21</a> Tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I am about to desecrate My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes, and the delight of your soul. And the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.’ <a href="/jeremiah/9-11.htm">Jeremiah 9:11</a> “And I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.” <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21</a> See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers! <a href="/jeremiah/15-5.htm">Jeremiah 15:5-6</a> Who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem? Who will mourn for you? Who will turn aside to ask about your welfare? / You have forsaken Me, declares the LORD. You have turned your back. So I will stretch out My hand against you and I will destroy you; I am weary of showing compassion. <a href="/zephaniah/3-1.htm">Zephaniah 3:1</a> Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37-38</a> O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate. <a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a> As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ... <a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Revelation 18:2</a> And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. <a href="/isaiah/3-26.htm">Isaiah 3:26</a> And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground. <a href="/jeremiah/13-17.htm">Jeremiah 13:17</a> But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>How does the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!how doth.<a href="/lamentations/2-1.htm">Lamentations 2:1</a> How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!<a href="/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1</a> How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.<a href="/isaiah/14-12.htm">Isaiah 14:12</a> How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!sit<a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Lamentations 2:10</a> 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.<a href="/isaiah/3-26.htm">Isaiah 3:26</a> And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.<a href="/isaiah/47-1.htm">Isaiah 47:1</a> Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.full<a href="/psalms/122-4.htm">Psalm 122:4</a> Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.<a href="/isaiah/22-2.htm">Isaiah 22:2</a> Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.<a href="/zechariah/8-4.htm">Zechariah 8:4,5</a> Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age… as a<a href="/isaiah/47-8.htm">Isaiah 47:8,9</a> Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: … <a href="/isaiah/54-4.htm">Isaiah 54:4</a> Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.<a href="/revelation/18-7.htm">Revelation 18:7</a> How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.great<a href="/1_kings/4-21.htm">1 Kings 4:21</a> And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.<a href="/2_chronicles/9-26.htm">2 Chronicles 9:26</a> And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.<a href="/ezra/4-20.htm">Ezra 4:20</a> There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-24.htm">Abounding</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-31.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-43.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-25.htm">City</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-28.htm">Countries</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-15.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-12.htm">Forced</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-36.htm">Full</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-20.htm">Great</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-15.htm">Herself</a> <a href="/psalms/68-6.htm">Lonely</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-57.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-58.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-43.htm">Once</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-10.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/psalms/45-13.htm">Princess</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Provinces</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-25.htm">Queen</a> <a href="/jeremiah/39-3.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-7.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-18.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-16.htm">Sits</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-7.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-21.htm">Solitary</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-8.htm">Tributary</a> <a href="/2_kings/24-1.htm">Vassal</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Widow</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-16.htm">Work</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-23.htm">Yoke</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/22-5.htm">Abounding</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-28.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-11.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-19.htm">City</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-5.htm">Countries</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-5.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/nahum/2-6.htm">Forced</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-15.htm">Full</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-4.htm">Herself</a> <a href="/mark/6-32.htm">Lonely</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-15.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-3.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm">Once</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-6.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/psalms/45-13.htm">Princess</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-8.htm">Provinces</a> <a href="/daniel/5-10.htm">Queen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-15.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/matthew/23-22.htm">Sits</a> <a href="/nahum/2-7.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-28.htm">Solitary</a> <a href="/genesis/49-15.htm">Tributary</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-3.htm">Vassal</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-7.htm">Widow</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-3.htm">Work</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-14.htm">Yoke</a><div class="vheading2">Lamentations 1</div>1. <a href="/lamentations/1-1.htm">The miseries of Jerusalem and of the Jews lamented</a> 12. <a href="/lamentations/1-12.htm">The attention of beholders demanded to this unprecedented case</a> 18. <a href="/lamentations/1-18.htm">The justice of God acknowledged, and his mercy supplicated.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/lamentations/1.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>How lonely The Hebrew word for "how" (אֵיכָה, 'eikah) is often used in the context of lament and sorrow, setting the tone for the entire book. It expresses a deep sense of grief and astonishment at the drastic change in circumstances. The word "lonely" (בָּדָד, badad) conveys isolation and desolation, reflecting the profound emptiness and abandonment felt by Jerusalem after its destruction. This opening exclamation captures the heartache of a city once vibrant and bustling, now silent and deserted.lies the city The city referred to is Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of the Jewish people. Historically, Jerusalem was a thriving metropolis, the site of the Temple, and the heart of Jewish worship and identity. The word "lies" suggests a state of prostration and defeat, as if the city itself is mourning its own downfall. This imagery evokes the physical and spiritual devastation experienced by the inhabitants after the Babylonian conquest.once so full of people This phrase highlights the stark contrast between Jerusalem's past glory and its present desolation. The city was once teeming with life, a hub of activity and culture. The Hebrew word for "full" (רַבָּתִי, rabbati) implies abundance and prosperity. The emptiness now felt is not just physical but also spiritual, as the people who filled the city were the carriers of its faith and traditions.She who was great among the nations Jerusalem's greatness is emphasized here, reflecting its former status as a powerful and influential city. The Hebrew word for "great" (רַבָּתִי, rabbati) is the same as "full," underscoring the city's prominence and the respect it commanded among other nations. This greatness was not only in terms of political power but also spiritual significance, as Jerusalem was the dwelling place of God's presence on earth.has become like a widow The imagery of a widow is poignant, symbolizing loss, vulnerability, and mourning. In ancient Israel, widows were often left without protection or provision, reflecting Jerusalem's current state of helplessness. The city, once vibrant and alive, is now bereft of its people and its purpose, akin to a widow mourning the loss of her husband.The princess among the provinces This phrase further emphasizes Jerusalem's former status and beauty. As a "princess," Jerusalem was esteemed and honored, a leader among the surrounding regions. The term "provinces" suggests a network of territories that once looked to Jerusalem for guidance and leadership. The fall from this esteemed position is a source of deep sorrow and lament.has become a slave The transformation from a princess to a slave is a powerful metaphor for the city's fall from grace. Slavery implies subjugation, loss of freedom, and degradation. This reflects the historical reality of Jerusalem's conquest and the exile of its people to Babylon. Spiritually, it signifies the consequences of turning away from God, leading to bondage and despair.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/lamentations/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>I.(1) How doth the city . . .--The poem of twenty-two verses divides itself into two symmetrical halves, (1) <a href="/context/lamentations/1-1.htm" title="How does the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!">Lamentations 1:1-11</a>, in which the prophet laments over Jerusalem; and (2) <a href="/context/lamentations/1-12.htm" title="Is it nothing to you, all you that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow, which is done to me, with which the LORD has afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.">Lamentations 1:12-22</a>, more dramatic in its form, in which the daughter of Zion bewails her own miseries. Each verse is divided into three lines, each line beginning, in the Hebrew, with the same letter. The opening picture reminds us of the well-known Jud?a capta, a woman sitting under a palm-tree, on the Roman medals struck after the destruction of Jerusalem.How is she become.--Better, making one sentence instead of two, She is become a widow that was great among the nations, and so with the clause that follows.Provinces.--The word, used in <a href="/esther/1-1.htm" title="Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even to Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)">Esther 1:1</a>; <a href="/esther/1-22.htm" title="For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.">Esther 1:22</a>, and elsewhere, of the countries subject to Persia and Assyria and so in <a href="/ezra/2-1.htm" title="Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and came again to Jerusalem and Judah, every one to his city;">Ezra 2:1</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/7-6.htm" title="These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one to his city;">Nehemiah 7:6</a>, of Judah itself, here indicates the neighbouring countries that had once, as in the reign of Hezekiah, been subject to Judah. "Tributary," as used here, implies, as in <a href="/joshua/16-10.htm" title="And they drove not out the Canaanites that dwelled in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, and serve under tribute.">Joshua 16:10</a>, personal servitude, rather than the money payment, for which, at a later period, as in <a href="/esther/10-1.htm" title="And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land, and on the isles of the sea.">Esther 10:1</a>, it was commuted. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - How. The characteristic introductory word of an elegy (comp. <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21</a>; <a href="/isaiah/14-4.htm">Isaiah 14:4, 12</a>), and adopted by the early Jewish divines as the title of the Book of Lamentations. It is repeated at the opening of ch. 2 and ch. 4. Sit solitary. Jerusalem is poetically personified and distinguished from the persons who accidentally compose her population. She is "solitary," not as having retired into solitude, but as deserted by her inhabitants (same word as in first clause of <a href="/isaiah/27-10.htm">Isaiah 27:10</a>). How is she become as a widow! etc. Rather, She is become a widow that was great among the nations; a princess among the provinces, she is become a vassal. The alteration greatly conduces to the effect of the verse, which consists of three parallel lines, like almost all the rest of the chapter. We are not to press the phrase, "a widow," as if some. earthly or heavenly husband were alluded to; it is a kind of symbol of desolation and misery (comp. <a href="/isaiah/47-8.htm">Isaiah 47:8</a>). "The provinces" at once suggests the period of the writer, who must have been a subject of the Babylonian empire. The term is also frequently used of the countries under the Persian rule (e.g. <a href="/esther/1-1.htm">Esther 1:1, 22</a>), and in <a href="/ezra/2-1.htm">Ezra 2:1</a> and <a href="/nehemiah/7-6.htm">Nehemiah 7:6</a> is used of Judah itself. Here, however, the "provinces," like the "nations," must be the countries formerly subject to David and Solomon (comp. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:8</a>). <a href="/commentaries/lamentations/1-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>How אֵיכָ֣ה ׀ (’ê·ḵāh) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> How?, how!, where lonely בָדָ֗ד (ḇā·ḏāḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_910.htm">Strong's 910: </a> Isolation, separation lies יָשְׁבָ֣ה (yā·šə·ḇāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry the city, הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement once so full רַבָּ֣תִי (rab·bā·ṯî) Adjective - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great of people! עָ֔ם (‘ām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock She who was great רַּבָּ֣תִי‪‬‪‬ (rab·bā·ṯî) Adjective - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great among the nations בַגּוֹיִ֗ם (ḇag·gō·w·yim) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts has become הָיְתָ֖ה (hā·yə·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be like a widow. כְּאַלְמָנָ֑ה (kə·’al·mā·nāh) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> A widow, a desolate place The princess שָׂרָ֙תִי֙ (śā·rā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8282.htm">Strong's 8282: </a> A mistress, female noble of the provinces בַּמְּדִינ֔וֹת (bam·mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4082.htm">Strong's 4082: </a> A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region has become הָיְתָ֖ה (hā·yə·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a slave. לָמַֽס׃ (lā·mas) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4522.htm">Strong's 4522: </a> Body of forced laborers, forced service, taskworkers, taskwork, serfdom <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-1.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 1:1 How the city sits solitary that was (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/52-34.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 52:34"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 52:34" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/1-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 1:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 1:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>