It is described as a multitude of…transgressions.
The original word used here for transgressions
is a general term for sin that indicates the wilful breaking of God’s law (see also Lamentations 1:14,Lamentations 1:22; Lamentations 3:42). It is also used to express political rebellion (see 1 Kings 12:19; 2 Kings 1:1; 2 Kings 3:5, 2 Kings 3:7). In Lamentations it indicates Judah’s rebellion against God’s authority.1
Although the transgressions are not named in detail, we find an indication of them in the book of Jeremiah: lying, kidnapping, murder, theft and Sabbath-breaking (Jeremiah 7:9–11; Jeremiah 9:5; Jeremiah 17:19–27). It is also mentioned that they offered their own children as sacrifices (Jeremiah 7:30–34). They also formed military alliances with other nations, instead of trusting God — worst of all was their idolatry (Jeremiah 10:1–16). With such transgressions they broke covenant (Jeremiah 11:1–7) with the Lord their God.2
The transgressions were not only serious; they were also numerous. The word multitude
indicates that Judah’s sin was abundant (see Hosea 8:11, Hosea 8:14; Hosea 10:1), not just sporadic acts. They, over a long period of time, had taken the Lord's patience for granted.3
5 Her foes have become the head; her enemies prosper, because the LORD has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone away, captives before the foe.