Lamentations 2:17
New International Version
The LORD has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago. He has overthrown you without pity, he has let the enemy gloat over you, he has exalted the horn of your foes.

New Living Translation
But it is the LORD who did just as he planned. He has fulfilled the promises of disaster he made long ago. He has destroyed Jerusalem without mercy. He has caused her enemies to gloat over her and has given them power over her.

English Standard Version
The LORD has done what he purposed; he has carried out his word, which he commanded long ago; he has thrown down without pity; he has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD has done what He planned; He has accomplished His decree, which He ordained in days of old; He has overthrown you without pity. He has let the enemy gloat over you and exalted the horn of your foes.

King James Bible
The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

New King James Version
The LORD has done what He purposed; He has fulfilled His word Which He commanded in days of old. He has thrown down and has not pitied, And He has caused an enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the horn of your adversaries.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD has done what He determined; He has accomplished His word Which He commanded from days of old. He has torn down without sparing, And He has helped the enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the might of your adversaries.

NASB 1995
The LORD has done what He purposed; He has accomplished His word Which He commanded from days of old. He has thrown down without sparing, And He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the might of your adversaries.

NASB 1977
The LORD has done what He purposed; He has accomplished His word Which He commanded from days of old. He has thrown down without sparing, And He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the might of your adversaries.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yahweh has done what He purposed; He has completed His word Which He commanded from days of old. He has pulled down without sparing, And He has caused the enemy to be glad over you; He has exalted the might of your adversaries.

Amplified Bible
The LORD has done what He planned; He has accomplished His word Which He commanded from days of old. He has demolished without sparing, And He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the power of your enemies.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD has done what he planned; he has accomplished his decree, which he ordained in days of old. He has demolished without compassion, letting the enemy gloat over you and exalting the horn of your adversaries.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD has done what He planned; He has accomplished His decree, which He ordained in days of old. He has demolished without compassion, letting the enemy gloat over you and exalting the horn of your adversaries.

American Standard Version
Jehovah hath done that which he purposed; he hath fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old; He hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: And he hath caused the enemy to rejoice over thee; he hath exalted the horn of thine adversaries.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD has done everything that he had planned and threatened long ago. He destroyed you without mercy and let your enemies boast about their powerful forces.

English Revised Version
The LORD hath done that which he devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old; he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused the enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath exalted the horn of thine adversaries.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD has accomplished what he had planned to do. He carried out the threat he announced long ago. He tore you down without any pity, [Jerusalem]. He made your enemies gloat over you. He raised the weapons of your opponents.

Good News Translation
The LORD has finally done what he threatened to do: He has destroyed us without mercy, as he warned us long ago. He gave our enemies victory, gave them joy at our downfall.

International Standard Version
The LORD did what he planned. He carried out his threat. Just as he commanded long ago, he has torn down without pity; He let the enemy boast about you and has exalted the power of your enemies.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD has done what He planned; He has accomplished His decree, which He ordained in days of old; He has overthrown you without pity. He has let the enemy gloat over you and exalted the horn of your foes.

NET Bible
The LORD has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his promise that he threatened long ago: He has overthrown you without mercy and has enabled the enemy to gloat over you; he has exalted your adversaries' power.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD has done that which he purposed, he has fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old. He has thrown down, and has not pitied. He has caused the enemy to gloat over you and exalted the horn of your adversaries.

Webster's Bible Translation
The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thy enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thy adversaries.

World English Bible
Yahweh has done that which he planned. He has fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old. He has thrown down, and has not pitied. He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you. He has exalted the horn of your adversaries.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
YHWH has done that which He devised, "" He has fulfilled His saying "" That He commanded from the days of old, "" He has broken down and has not pitied, "" And causes an enemy to rejoice over you, "" He lifted up the horn of your adversaries.

Young's Literal Translation
Jehovah hath done that which He devised, He hath fulfilled His saying That He commanded from the days of old, He hath broken down and hath not pitied, And causeth an enemy to rejoice over thee, He lifted up the horn of thine adversaries.

Smith's Literal Translation
Jehovah did what he purposed; he completed his word which he commanded in days of old: he pulled down and he pitied not: and be will gladden the enemy over thee; he lifted up the horn of thine adversaries.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Ain. The Lord hath done that which he purposed, he hath fulfilled his word, which he commanded in the days of old: he hath destroyed, and hath not spared, and he hath caused the enemy to rejoice over thee, and hath set up the horn of thy adversaries.

Catholic Public Domain Version
AIN. The Lord has done what he decided to do. He has fulfilled his word, which he instructed since the days of antiquity. He has destroyed, and he has not been lenient, and he has caused the enemy to rejoice over you, and he has exalted the horn of your adversaries.

New American Bible
The LORD has done what he planned. He has fulfilled the threat Decreed from days of old, destroying without pity! He let the enemy gloat over you and exalted the horn of your foes.

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD has done what he purposed, he has carried out his threat; as he ordained long ago, he has demolished without pity; he has made the enemy rejoice over you, and exalted the might of your foes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All your enemies speak evil against you; they hiss and gnash their teeth; they say, We have devoured her; certainly this is the day we looked for; we have found it, we have seen it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Pe All your enemies have opened their mouths against you. They hissed and they gnashed their teeth and they were saying: ‘We have devoured her! Surely this is the day that we waited for! We have found it and we see it!’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The LORD hath done that which He devised; He hath performed His word That He commanded in the days of old; He hath thrown down unsparingly; And He hath caused the enemy to rejoice over thee, He hath exalted the horn of thine adversaries.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
PHE. The Lord has done that which he purposed; he has accomplished his word, even the things which he commanded from the ancient days: he has thrown down, and has not spared: and he has caused the enemy to rejoice over thee, he has exalted the horn of him that afflicted thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Anger over Jerusalem
16All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!” 17The LORD has done what He planned; He has accomplished His decree, which He ordained in days of old; He has overthrown you without pity. He has let the enemy gloat over you and exalted the horn of your foes. 18The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears run down like a river day and night. Give yourself no relief, and your eyes no rest.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:15-68
If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: / You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. / Your basket and kneading bowl will be cursed. ...

Jeremiah 18:7-10
At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring. / And if at another time I announce that I will build up and establish a nation or kingdom, ...

Jeremiah 32:24-25
See how the siege ramps are mounted against the city to capture it. And by sword and famine and plague, the city has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What You have spoken has happened, as You now see! / Yet You, O Lord GOD, have said to me, ‘Buy for yourself the field with silver and call in witnesses, even though the city has been delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans!’”

Ezekiel 7:5-9
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Disaster! An unprecedented disaster—behold, it is coming! / The end has come! The end has come! It has roused itself against you. Behold, it has come! / Doom has come to you, O inhabitants of the land. The time has come; the day is near; there is panic on the mountains instead of shouts of joy. ...

Daniel 9:11-14
All Israel has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey Your voice; so the oath and the curse written in the Law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You. / You have carried out the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us a great disaster. For under all of heaven, nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. / Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquities and giving attention to Your truth. ...

2 Kings 25:8-12
On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over Babylon, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. / He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building. / And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem. ...

Isaiah 42:24-25
Who gave Jacob up for spoil, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned? They were unwilling to walk in His ways, and they would not obey His law. / 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.

Jeremiah 25:8-11
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Because you have not obeyed My words, / behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. / Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp. ...

Leviticus 26:14-39
If, however, you fail to obey Me and to carry out all these commandments, / and if you reject My statutes, despise My ordinances, and neglect to carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant, / then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. ...

2 Chronicles 36:15-17
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. / So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,

Amos 3:6
If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?

Zechariah 1:6
But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’”

Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...

Matthew 23:37-38
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate.


Treasury of Scripture

The LORD has done that which he had devised; he has fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he has thrown down, and has not pitied: and he has caused your enemy to rejoice over you, he has set up the horn of your adversaries.

done

Lamentations 2:8
The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.

Leviticus 26:14
But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;

Deuteronomy 28:15
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

he hath thrown

Lamentations 2:1,2
How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger! …

Ezekiel 5:11
Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

Ezekiel 7:8,9
Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations…

he hath caused

Lamentations 1:5
Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.

Deuteronomy 28:43,44
The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low…

Psalm 38:16
For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.

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Accomplished Adversaries Caused Commanded Devised Enemy Exalted Fulfilled Horn Performed Pitied Purposed Rejoice Sparing Thrown Unsparingly Word
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Accomplished Adversaries Caused Commanded Devised Enemy Exalted Fulfilled Horn Performed Pitied Purposed Rejoice Sparing Thrown Unsparingly Word
Lamentations 2
1. Jeremiah laments the misery of Jerusalem
20. He complains thereof to God














The LORD has done what He purposed
This phrase underscores the sovereignty and faithfulness of God in fulfilling His divine will. The Hebrew root for "purposed" is "zamam," which conveys the idea of a deliberate and determined plan. Historically, this reflects God's covenant relationship with Israel, where He warned through prophets about the consequences of disobedience. The fulfillment of His purpose, even in judgment, demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His word and His ultimate plan for redemption.

He has accomplished His word
The Hebrew term for "accomplished" is "qum," meaning to establish or bring to pass. This highlights the reliability and authority of God's word. In the context of Lamentations, it refers to the prophetic warnings given to Israel. The historical context is the Babylonian exile, a direct result of Israel's failure to heed God's commands. This serves as a reminder of the power and certainty of God's promises, both of judgment and restoration.

that He decreed long ago
The phrase "long ago" points to the timeless nature of God's decrees. The Hebrew word "qedem" suggests ancient times or eternity past. This emphasizes that God's plans are not reactionary but have been established from the beginning. Scripturally, it connects to the eternal nature of God's wisdom and foreknowledge, assuring believers that nothing occurs outside His sovereign will.

He has overthrown you without compassion
The term "overthrown" comes from the Hebrew "haras," meaning to tear down or destroy. This reflects the severity of God's judgment on Jerusalem. The phrase "without compassion" is striking, as it contrasts with God's usual merciful nature. This indicates the seriousness of sin and the necessity of divine justice. Historically, it reflects the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, a pivotal event in Jewish history.

He has let the enemy gloat over you
The word "gloat" translates from the Hebrew "samach," meaning to rejoice or take pleasure. This phrase captures the humiliation and suffering of Israel as their enemies triumph over them. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Theologically, it points to the reality of spiritual warfare and the temporary victories of evil, which ultimately serve God's greater purpose.

He has exalted the horn of your foes
The "horn" symbolizes strength and power in biblical literature. The Hebrew word "qeren" is often used to denote might or authority. By exalting the horn of Israel's foes, God allowed their enemies to gain power and dominance. This reflects the reversal of fortunes due to Israel's disobedience. In a broader scriptural context, it serves as a reminder that God can use even adversarial forces to accomplish His divine purposes, ultimately leading to His glory and the eventual restoration of His people.

(17) The Lord hath done . . .--The writer points, in opposition to the boasts of the enemies, to the true author of the misery of the people. In that thought, terrible as it might at first seem, there was an element of hope. It was better to fall into the hands of God than into those of men (2Samuel 24:14). The suffering came as a chastisement for past transgressions, and might therefore be mitigated by repentance. The Destroyer was also the Healer, and would answer the prayers of those who called on Him.

Verse 17. - His word that he had commanded, etc. "Commanded," i.e. given in charge to. Comp. Zechariah 1:6, My words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets." Zechariah continues, in language which illustrates the foregoing words of this verse, "Did they not take hold of [overtake] your fathers;" where the persons spoken of as "your fathers" are the same as those who are represented by the speaker of the elegy. "In the days of old;" alluding, perhaps, to such passages as Deuteronomy 28:52, etc. The horn of thine adversaries. "Horn" has a twofold meaning - "strength" or "defence" (comp. ver. 3), and "honour" or "dignity" (comp. 1 Samuel 2:1). The figure is too natural to need explanation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has done
עָשָׂ֨ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

what
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He planned;
זָמָ֗ם (zā·mām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2161: To consider, purpose, devise

He has accomplished
בִּצַּ֤ע (biṣ·ṣa‘)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1214: To cut off, break off, gain by violence

His decree,
אֶמְרָתוֹ֙ (’em·rā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 565: Utterance, speech, word

which
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He ordained
צִוָּ֣ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

in days
מִֽימֵי־ (mî·mê-)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of old.
קֶ֔דֶם (qe·ḏem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

He has overthrown you
הָרַ֖ס (hā·ras)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2040: To pull down, in pieces, break, & destroy

without
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

pity;
חָמָ֑ל (ḥā·māl)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2550: To commiserate, to spare

He has let the enemy
אוֹיֵ֔ב (’ō·w·yêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

gloat
וַיְשַׂמַּ֤ח (way·śam·maḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

over you
עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ (‘ā·la·yiḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and exalted
הֵרִ֖ים (hê·rîm)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

the horn
קֶ֥רֶן (qe·ren)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

of your foes.
צָרָֽיִךְ׃ (ṣā·rā·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent


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OT Prophets: Lamentations 2:17 Yahweh has done that which he purposed (Lam. La Lm)
Lamentations 2:16
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