Definition: The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Lamentations 4:11. It’s a really powerful and dramatic verse about God’s intense anger. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “The LORD has been incredibly angry! He’s unleashed his fierce fury, and he's started to burn Zion – that’s Jerusalem – down to the ground.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “The LORD hath accomplished his fury” : This means God is really upset. It’s not just a mild feeling; it’s a deep, overwhelming anger. “He hath poured out his fierce anger” : Think of it like a volcano erupting – something huge and destructive has been unleashed. “And hath kindled a fire in Zion” : This is the key part. The fire isn't just a small spark; it’s a massive, burning blaze that’s spreading throughout Jerusalem. “It hath devoured the foundations thereof” : This is the most shocking part. “Devoured” means to completely destroy or consume. It's suggesting that everything – the buildings, the temples, the cities - are being systematically destroyed by this fire. What does it mean in a broader sense? Lamentations 4:11 often represents a period of great hardship and suffering for the people of Israel. It’s a reminder that God is involved in their lives, and when He's angry, He can bring about terrible consequences. It’s a message of judgment and a call to repentance – meaning it urges us to turn away from our sins and seek a closer relationship with God. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of a period of intense punishment or suffering for the Israelites. It's not meant to be taken literally as a literal burning down of Jerusalem, but rather as a metaphor for devastating events that God uses to test and punish His people. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Lamentations? Talk about the historical context of this passage? Discuss what it might symbolize in general?