1. Lamentations 1:1–22 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

How many voices do we find in Lamentations 1 and what is its purpose?

Lamentations 1:1–22 (NEG79)

1 Eh quoi! elle est assise solitaire, cette ville si peuplée! Elle est semblable à une veuve! Grande entre les nations, souveraine parmi les Etats, Elle est réduite à la servitude!

There are two voices: the author’s voice and that of Jerusalem as personified by a widow. The voices are arranged as follows:

  1. The voice of the author (Lamentations 1:1–9a)

  2. The voice of Jerusalem (Lamentations 1:9b)

  3. The voice of the author (Lamentations 1:10–11a)

  4. The voice of Jerusalem (Lamentations 1:11–16)

  5. The voice of the author (Lamentations 1:17)

  6. The voice of Jerusalem (Lamentations 1:18–22).

Such a dialogue serves to magnify the tragedy.1