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This is the day we have waited for; we have lived to see it.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/lamentations/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> All your enemies mock you. They scoff and snarl and say, “We have destroyed her at last! We have long waited for this day, and it is finally here!” <a href="/esv/lamentations/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> All your enemies rail against you; they hiss, they gnash their teeth, they cry: “We have swallowed her! Ah, this is the day we longed for; now we have it; we see it!” <a href="/bsb/lamentations/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!” <a href="/kjv/lamentations/2.htm">King James Bible</a> All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it. <a href="/nkjv/lamentations/2.htm">New King James Version</a> All your enemies have opened their mouth against you; They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, “We have swallowed her up! Surely this is the day we have waited for; We have found it, we have seen it!” <a href="/nasb_/lamentations/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> All your enemies Have opened their mouths wide against you; They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, “We have engulfed her! This certainly is the day which we awaited; We have reached it, we have seen it!” <a href="/nasb/lamentations/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> All your enemies Have opened their mouths wide against you; They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, &#8220We have swallowed her up! Surely this is the day for which we waited; We have reached it, we have seen it.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/lamentations/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> All your enemies Have opened their mouths wide against you; They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, “We have swallowed her up! Surely this is the day for which we waited; We have reached it, we have seen it.” <a href="/lsb/lamentations/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> All your enemies Have opened their mouths wide against you; They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, “We have swallowed her up! Surely this is the day for which we have hoped; We have found it, we have seen it.” <a href="/amp/lamentations/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> All your enemies Have opened their mouths wide against you; They [scornfully] hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, “We have swallowed her up! Certainly this is the day for which we waited; We have reached it, we have seen it!” <a href="/csb/lamentations/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day we have waited for! We have lived to see it.” <a href="/hcsb/lamentations/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, &#8220We have swallowed her up. This is the day we have waited for! We have lived to see it.&#8221 <a href="/asv/lamentations/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> All thine enemies have opened their mouth wide against thee; They hiss and gnash the teeth; they say, We have swallowed her up; Certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it. <a href="/cev/lamentations/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Zion, your enemies curse you and snarl like wild animals, while shouting, "This is the day we've waited for! At last, we've got you!" <a href="/erv/lamentations/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> All thine enemies have opened their mouth wide against thee; they hiss and gnash the teeth; they say, We have swallowed her up; certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it. <a href="/gwt/lamentations/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> All your enemies gawk at you. They hiss and grit their teeth. They say, 'We've swallowed it up. Yes, this is the day we've been waiting for. At last we have seen it!' <a href="/gnt/lamentations/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> All your enemies mock you and glare at you with hate. They curl their lips and sneer, "We have destroyed it! This is the day we have waited for!" <a href="/isv/lamentations/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> All of your enemies insult you with gaping mouths. They hiss and grind their teeth while saying, "We have devoured her completely. Yes, this is the day that we anticipated! We found it at last; we have seen it!" <a href="/msb/lamentations/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, ?We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!? <a href="/net/lamentations/2.htm">NET Bible</a> All your enemies gloated over you. They sneered and gnashed their teeth; they said, "We have destroyed her! Ha! We have waited a long time for this day. We have lived to see it!" <a href="/nheb/lamentations/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> All your enemies have opened wide their mouth against you. They hiss and gnash the teeth; they say, "We have swallowed her up. Certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it." <a href="/wbt/lamentations/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> All thy enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it. <a href="/web/lamentations/2.htm">World English Bible</a> All your enemies have opened their mouth wide against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, “We have swallowed her up. Certainly this is the day that we looked for. We have found it. We have seen it.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/lamentations/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Opened against you their mouth have all your enemies, "" They have hissed, indeed, they gnash the teeth, "" They have said: “We have swallowed [her] up, "" Surely this [is] the day that we looked for, "" We have found—we have seen.” <a href="/ylt/lamentations/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Opened against thee their mouth have all thine enemies, They have hissed, yea, they gnash the teeth, They have said: 'We have swallowed her up, Surely this is the day that we looked for, We have found -- we have seen.' <a href="/slt/lamentations/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> All thine enemies opened wide their mouth upon thee: they hissed and they will gnash the teeth: they said, We swallowed down: surely this the day we longed for; we found; we saw.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/lamentations/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Phe. All thy enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they have hissed, and gnashed with the teeth, and have said: We will swallow her up: lo, this is the day which we looked for: we have found it, we have seen it. <a href="/cpdv/lamentations/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> PHE. All your enemies have opened their mouth over you. They have hissed and gnashed their teeth, and they said: “We will devour her. Yes, this is the day we waited for. We have found it, we have seen it.” <a href="/nabre/lamentations/2.htm">New American Bible</a> They open their mouths against you, all your enemies; They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have devoured her! How we have waited for this day— we have lived to see it!” <a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> All your enemies open their mouths against you; they hiss, they gnash their teeth, they cry: “We have devoured her! Ah, this is the day we longed for; at last we have seen it!”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> The LORD has done that which he had devised; he has fulfilled his word as he had commanded in the days of old; he has thrown her down without pity, he has caused your enemies to rejoice over you, he has given might to your oppressors. <a href="/hpbt/lamentations/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Ayin LORD JEHOVAH has done the thing that he planned and he has fulfilled his word, as he commanded from the first days. He has destroyed her and he had no pity, and the enemy rejoiced over you and he lifted up the horn of your oppressors<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/lamentations/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> All thine enemies have opened Their mouth wide against thee; They hiss and gnash the teeth; They say: 'We have swallowed her up; Certainly this is the day that we looked for; We have found, we have seen it.' <a href="/sep/lamentations/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> AIN. All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they have hissed and gnashed their teeth, and said, We have swallowed her up: moreover this is the day which we looked for; we have found it, we have seen it. <a href="/parallel/lamentations/2-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rKrWuOkEqzQ?start=581" 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/2.htm">God's Anger over Jerusalem</a> …15All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” 16<a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">All</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·wy·ḇa·yiḵ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2fs) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">your enemies</a> <a href="/hebrew/6475.htm" title="6475: pā·ṣū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To part, open. A primitive root; to rend, i.e. Open.">open</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî·hem (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">their mouths</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·la·yiḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against you.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8319.htm" title="8319: šā·rə·qū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To hiss, whistle, pipe. A primitive root; properly, to be shrill, i.e. To whistle or hiss.">They hiss</a> <a href="/hebrew/2786.htm" title="2786: way·ya·ḥar·qū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To gnash or grind. A primitive root; to grate the teeth.">and gnash</a> <a href="/hebrew/8127.htm" title="8127: šên (N-cs) -- Tooth, ivory. From shanan; a tooth; specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff.">their teeth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1104.htm" title="1104: bil·lā·‘ə·nū (V-Piel-Perf-1cp) -- To swallow down, swallow up, engulf. A primitive root; to make away with; generally, to destroy.">“We have swallowed her up.</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">This</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">is the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/6960.htm" title="6960: šeq·qiw·wî·nu·hū (Pro-r:: V-Piel-Perf-1cp:: 3ms) -- To bind together, collect, to expect. A primitive root; to bind together, i.e. Collect; to expect.">for which we have waited.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mā·ṣā·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To attain to, find. ">We have lived</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’î·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">to see it!”</a> 17The LORD has done what He planned; He has accomplished His decree, which He ordained in days of old; He has overthrown you without pity. He has let the enemy gloat over you and exalted the horn of your foes.…<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="/psalms/35-21.htm">Psalm 35:21</a> They gape at me and say, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!” <a href="/psalms/22-7.htm">Psalm 22:7</a> All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: <a href="/psalms/137-7.htm">Psalm 137:7</a> Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!” <a href="/obadiah/1-12.htm">Obadiah 1:12</a> But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. <a href="/ezekiel/25-6.htm">Ezekiel 25:6</a> For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because you clapped your hands and stomped your feet and rejoiced over the land of Israel with a heart full of contempt, <a href="/micah/7-8.htm">Micah 7:8</a> Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. <a href="/job/16-9.htm">Job 16:9-10</a> His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes. / They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt; they join together against me. <a href="/isaiah/37-22.htm">Isaiah 37:22-23</a> this is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you. / Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! <a href="/jeremiah/50-17.htm">Jeremiah 50:17</a> Israel is a scattered flock, chased away by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to crush his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” <a href="/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2</a> This is what the Lord GOD says: Because the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,’ <a href="/matthew/27-39.htm">Matthew 27:39-44</a> And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ... <a href="/mark/15-29.htm">Mark 15:29-32</a> And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, / come down from the cross and save Yourself!” / In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! ... <a href="/luke/23-35.htm">Luke 23:35-37</a> The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” / The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. / “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!” <a href="/john/19-28.htm">John 19:28-30</a> After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” / A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. / When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit. <a href="/acts/13-41.htm">Acts 13:41</a> ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>All your enemies have opened their mouth against you: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.thine<a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Lamentations 3:46</a> All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.<a href="/job/16-9.htm">Job 16:9,10</a> He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me… <a href="/psalms/22-13.htm">Psalm 22:13</a> They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.gnash<a href="/psalms/35-16.htm">Psalm 35:16</a> With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.<a href="/psalms/37-12.htm">Psalm 37:12</a> The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.<a href="/psalms/112-10.htm">Psalm 112:10</a> The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.we have swallowed<a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Psalm 56:2</a> Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.<a href="/psalms/57-3.htm">Psalm 57:3</a> He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.<a href="/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3</a> Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:we have seen<a href="/psalms/35-21.htm">Psalm 35:21</a> Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.<a href="/psalms/41-8.htm">Psalm 41:8</a> An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.<a href="/obadiah/1-12.htm">Obadiah 1:12-16</a> But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/47-6.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-9.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-21.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-9.htm">Found</a> <a href="/psalms/112-10.htm">Gnash</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-21.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-15.htm">Hiss</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-15.htm">Hisses</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-4.htm">Longed</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-5.htm">Making</a> <a href="/jeremiah/41-5.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-18.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-25.htm">Mouths</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">Open</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-25.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/psalms/102-8.htm">Rail</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-9.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-15.htm">Scoff</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-3.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-5.htm">Swallowed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-30.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-15.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-26.htm">Whistling</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-19.htm">Wide</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/4-14.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-22.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-30.htm">Found</a> <a href="/matthew/8-12.htm">Gnash</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-36.htm">Hiss</a> <a href="/job/27-23.htm">Hisses</a> <a href="/matthew/13-17.htm">Longed</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-55.htm">Making</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-3.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-29.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Mouths</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Open</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Rail</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-7.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-5.htm">Scoff</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-3.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-3.htm">Swallowed</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-16.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/judges/5-16.htm">Whistling</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Wide</a><div class="vheading2">Lamentations 2</div>1. <a href="/lamentations/2-1.htm">Jeremiah laments the misery of Jerusalem</a> 20. <a href="/lamentations/2-20.htm">He complains thereof to God</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> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/lamentations/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/lamentations/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/lamentations/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>All your enemies open their mouths against you. This phrase reflects the intense hostility and mockery faced by Jerusalem from surrounding nations. In the ancient Near East, open hostility was often expressed verbally, and the imagery of enemies opening their mouths suggests both verbal assault and the intent to devour. This is reminiscent of <a href="/psalms/22-13.htm">Psalm 22:13</a>, where the psalmist describes enemies as "roaring lions tearing their prey." The enemies' actions fulfill the warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah, who foretold the consequences of Israel's disobedience (<a href="/jeremiah/4-16.htm">Jeremiah 4:16-17</a>).They hiss and gnash their teeth, Hissing was a common expression of scorn and derision in ancient cultures, akin to booing today. Gnashing of teeth indicates intense anger or frustration, often used in the Bible to describe the reaction of the wicked (<a href="/psalms/37-12.htm">Psalm 37:12</a>). This phrase underscores the deep-seated animosity and satisfaction of Jerusalem's enemies at her downfall. It also reflects the fulfillment of divine judgment, as God allowed these nations to act as instruments of His wrath due to Israel's unfaithfulness.saying, “We have swallowed her up. The imagery of swallowing suggests complete destruction and consumption, indicating that Jerusalem's enemies believed they had utterly defeated her. This echoes the language of <a href="/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3</a>, where the psalmist speaks of being swallowed alive by enemies. The phrase highlights the perceived finality of Jerusalem's fall, yet it also sets the stage for God's eventual restoration, as seen in the broader narrative of Scripture.This is the day for which we have waited. The enemies' anticipation of Jerusalem's downfall suggests a long-standing enmity and desire for revenge. Historically, nations like Babylon and Edom harbored animosity towards Israel, and their actions during the siege of Jerusalem were seen as the culmination of these hostilities. This phrase also serves as a reminder of the prophetic warnings given to Israel, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-49.htm">Deuteronomy 28:49-57</a>, where God warned of a day of reckoning if His people turned away from Him.We have lived to see it!” The exclamation of having lived to witness Jerusalem's destruction indicates the fulfillment of long-held desires and prophecies. For the enemies, it was a moment of triumph, but for Israel, it was a moment of profound loss and reflection. This phrase underscores the reality of God's judgment but also points to the hope of future redemption, as God promises to restore His people and city in passages like <a href="/isaiah/40.htm">Isaiah 40:1-2</a>. The lamentation serves as a call to repentance and trust in God's ultimate plan for salvation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> - Traditionally considered the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" who lamented the destruction of Jerusalem. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> - The city that is the focal point of Lamentations, representing the heart of Judah and the center of Jewish worship, now lying in ruins. 3. <a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_jerusalem.htm">Enemies of Jerusalem</a> - The surrounding nations and peoples who opposed Israel and Judah, often rejoicing in their downfall. 4. <a href="/topical/b/babylonian_conquest.htm">Babylonian Conquest</a> - The historical event where Babylon, under King Nebuchadnezzar, besieged and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_day_of_the_lord.htm">The Day of the Lord</a> - A concept often associated with judgment and fulfillment of prophecy, seen here as a day of reckoning for Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_judgment.htm">The Reality of Judgment</a> God's judgment is real and often comes as a result of persistent disobedience. The destruction of Jerusalem serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. <a href="/topical/t/the_pain_of_mockery.htm">The Pain of Mockery</a> Experiencing mockery and scorn from enemies can be deeply painful. Believers are called to respond with grace and trust in God's justice rather than retaliate. <a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">The Fulfillment of Prophecy</a> The events described in Lamentations were foretold by prophets like Jeremiah. This reminds us of the reliability of God's Word and the importance of heeding prophetic warnings. <a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_despair.htm">Hope Amidst Despair</a> Even in the darkest times, there is hope. Lamentations, while a book of sorrow, also points to God's faithfulness and the possibility of restoration. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_pride.htm">Guarding Against Pride</a> The enemies' gloating serves as a warning against pride and taking pleasure in others' misfortunes. Christians are called to humility and compassion.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_lamentations_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 2</a> <a href="/q/what_context_justifies_psalm_58's_curses.htm">Which historical context supports the harsh curses in Psalm 58 when other biblical texts advocate forgiveness?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'gnashing_of_teeth'_mean.htm">What does "gnashing of teeth" mean?</a> <a href="/q/how_can_god_be_an_'enemy'_yet_unchanging.htm">Lamentations 2:5 - In what sense can God become an 'enemy' to those He once favored, and does this contradict other biblical portrayals of His unchanging nature?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_josiah_ignore_necho's_warning.htm">Why would Josiah ignore Necho's explicit warning in 2 Chronicles 35:21 if it was truly from God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/lamentations/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) All thine enemies.--The exultation of the enemies is expressed by every feature in the physiognomy of malignant hate, the wide mouth, the hissing, the gnashing of the teeth. They exult, as in half-broken utterances, in the thought that they have brought about the misery at which they mock. It is what they had long looked for; they had at last seen it.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 16, 17. - On the transposition of the initial letters in these verses, see Introduction. Verse 16. - Have opened their mouth against thee. As against the innocent sufferer of <a href="/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a>. (ver. 13). Gnash the teeth. In token of rage, as <a href="/psalms/35-16.htm">Psalm 35:16</a>; <a href="/psalms/37-12.htm">Psalm 37:12</a>. We have seen it (comp. <a href="/psalms/35-21.htm">Psalm 35:21</a>). <a href="/commentaries/lamentations/2-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>All כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every your enemies א֣וֹיְבַ֔יִךְ (’ō·wy·ḇa·yiḵ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> Hating, an adversary open פָּצ֨וּ (pā·ṣū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6475.htm">Strong's 6475: </a> To rend, open their mouths פִּיהֶם֙ (pî·hem) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to against you. עָלַ֤יִךְ (‘ā·la·yiḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against They hiss שָֽׁרְקוּ֙ (šā·rə·qū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8319.htm">Strong's 8319: </a> To be shrill, to whistle, hiss and gnash וַיַּֽחַרְקוּ־ (way·ya·ḥar·qū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2786.htm">Strong's 2786: </a> To grate the teeth their teeth, שֵׁ֔ן (šên) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8127.htm">Strong's 8127: </a> A tooth, ivory, a cliff saying, אָמְר֖וּ (’ā·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “We have swallowed her up. בִּלָּ֑עְנוּ (bil·lā·‘ə·nū) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1104.htm">Strong's 1104: </a> To swallow down, swallow up, engulf This זֶ֥ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that is the day הַיּ֛וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day for which we have waited. שֶׁקִּוִּינֻ֖הוּ (šeq·qiw·wî·nu·hū) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common plural | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6960.htm">Strong's 6960: </a> To bind together, collect, to expect We have lived מָצָ֥אנוּ (mā·ṣā·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present to see it!” רָאִֽינוּ׃ (rā·’î·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-16.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 2:16 All your enemies have opened their mouth (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/2-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 2:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 2:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/2-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 2:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 2:17" /></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>