Bible Strands
Lamentations 2:3
In fierce anger He has cut off every horn of Israel and withdrawn His right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet addresses the fallen state of Judah, describing Yahweh’s active judgment as hostile forces approach Jerusalem. The speaker recounts how divine wrath directly causes the collapse of Israel’s kingdom and its leadership.
The words — The text uses גָּדַע (ga.Da'), literally "he has cut off," to describe the removal of every horn, and הֵשִׁיב אָחוֹר (he.Shiv 'a.Chor), literally "he has turned back [His right hand]," signaling the withdrawal of protective power.
The thread — The withdrawal of God's right hand at the approach of the enemy parallels Psalms 74:11, while the cutting off of horns to signify divine judgment aligns with Psalms 75:10.
Why it lands — The passage demands acknowledgment that national collapse follows divine withdrawal, requiring readers to recognize God’s sovereign control over political and military outcomes.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.
Cross-references
- Psalms 74:11 Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand? Stretch it out to destroy them!
- Psalms 75:5 Do not lift up your horn against heaven or speak with an outstretched neck.’”
- Psalms 75:10 “All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous will be exalted.”
- Isaiah 42:25 So He poured out on them His furious anger and the fierceness of battle. It enveloped them in flames, but they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.
- Psalms 79:5 How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
- Psalms 89:46 How long, O LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath keep burning like fire?
- Jeremiah 48:25 The horn of Moab has been cut off, and his arm is broken,” declares the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains.
- Job 16:15 I have sewn sackcloth over my skin; I have buried my horn in the dust.
- Psalms 89:24 My faithfulness and loving devotion will be with him, and through My name his horn will be exalted.