Lamentations 3:12

He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) He hath bent his bow.—(Comp. Job 16:12.) The figure is changed, but there is a natural sequence of thought. The lion suggests the huntsman. but he appears on the scene not to save the victim, but to complete the work of destruction.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:1-20 The prophet relates the more gloomy and discouraging part of his experience, and how he found support and relief. In the time of his trial the Lord had become terrible to him. It was an affliction that was misery itself; for sin makes the cup of affliction a bitter cup. The struggle between unbelief and faith is often very severe. But the weakest believer is wrong, if he thinks that his strength and hope are perished from the Lord.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This new simile arises out of the former one, the idea of a hunter being suggested by that of the bear and lion. When the hunter comes, it is not to save him.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. (Job 7:20).

He.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

He hath prepared himself for acts of vindicative justice, and he hath made me the object of it.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

He hath bent his bow,.... Which is put for all the instruments, of war; the Chaldeans were archers, and shot their arrows into the city:

and set me as a mark for the arrow; as a target to shoot at; signifying that God dealt with him, or his people, as enemies, the object of his wrath and indignation; and if he directed his arrow against them, it must needs hit them; there was no escaping his vengeance; see Job 7:20.

Geneva Study Bible

He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

12, 13. Jehovah is now likened not to the beast of prey, but to the hunter. Cp. Job 16:12 f.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - Set me as a mark. Precisely as Job complains of Jehovah, "He hath set me up for his mark" (Job 16:13). Lamentations 3:12

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

"He hath bent His bow," as in Lamentations 2:4. The second member, "He hath made me the mark for His arrows," is taken almost verbatim from Job 16:12. The arrows are the ills and sorrows appointed by God; cf. Deuteronomy 32:23; Psalm 38:3; Job 6:4.