Lamentations 2:13 (KJV)

What does Lamentations 2:13 mean?

Lamentations 2:13 expresses the speaker’s deep sorrow for Jerusalem, saying that her suffering is so great, there is nothing to compare it to or use as a comfort. The verse highlights the enormity of Jerusalem’s “breach,” or wound, describing it as vast as the sea and beyond human healing.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem after the city’s destruction by Babylon. He is searching for words or examples to describe their pain but finds none that match the scale of their loss. The verse shows how overwhelming and unique Jerusalem’s suffering is, emphasizing the hopelessness and depth of the city’s devastation.

The Hebrew behind Lamentations 2:13

• “Breach” (שֶׁבֶר, shever): This word refers to a break, fracture, or wound. Here, it describes Jerusalem’s destruction as a deep, gaping injury, not just a minor setback.
• “Great” (גָּדוֹל, gadol): Used to stress the immense size or seriousness of the breach, showing that the city’s suffering is not small or ordinary.
• “Heal” (רָפָא, rapha’): This verb means to heal or restore. The question “who can heal you?” underlines that no human effort can fix what has happened to Jerusalem.

Why Lamentations 2:13 matters

• Lamentations 2:13 makes clear that Jerusalem’s suffering is unique and cannot be easily explained or comforted, countering any idea that this is just another hardship among many.
• The verse highlights the prophet’s empathy and helplessness, showing that even a spiritual leader feels at a loss for words in the face of such tragedy.
• By comparing the city’s wound to the sea, the verse connects to the wider theme of overwhelming judgment in Lamentations, helping readers grasp the scale of what has happened.