Lamentations 4:18-20

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Lamentations 4:18 tn Heb “they”; this has been specified in the translation as “our enemies” for clarity.
2. Lamentations 4:18 tn Heb “they hunted our steps.”
3. Lamentations 4:18 tn Heb “our days were full.”
4. Lamentations 4:19 tn The bird referred to here could be one of several species of eagles but more likely is the griffin-vulture (cf. NEB “vultures”). However, because eagles are more commonly associated with swiftness than vultures in contemporary English, “eagles” was used in the translation.
5. Lamentations 4:19 tn Or “in the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heaven(s)” or “sky,” depending on the context.
6. Lamentations 4:20 tn Heb “the anointed one of the Lord.” The term “king” is added in the translation to clarify the referent of the phrase “the Lord’s anointed.”
7. Lamentations 4:20 tn Heb “was captured in their pits.”
8. Lamentations 4:20 tn Heb “of whom we had said.”
9. Lamentations 4:20 tn Heb “under his shadow.” The term צֵל (tsel, “shadow”) is used figuratively here to refer the source of protection from military enemies. In the same way that the shade of a tree gives physical relief and protection from the heat of the sun (e.g., Judg 9:15; Job 40:22; Ps 80:11; Song 2:3; Ezek 17:23; 31:6, 12, 17; Hos 4:13; 14:8; Jon 4:5, 6), a faithful and powerful king can provide “shade” (= protection) from enemies and military attack (Num 14:19; Ps 91:1; Isa 30:2, 3; 49:2; 51:16; Jer 48:45; Lam 4:20).