Ratapan 4:17-20
Konteksע (Ayin)
4:17 Our eyes continually failed us
as we looked in vain for help. 1
From our watchtowers we watched
for a nation that could not rescue us.
צ (Tsade)
4:18 Our enemies 2 hunted us down at every step 3
so that we could not walk about in our streets.
Our end drew near, our days were numbered, 4
for our end had come!
ק (Qof)
4:19 Those who pursued us were swifter
They chased us over the mountains;
they ambushed us in the wilderness.
ר (Resh)
4:20 Our very life breath – the Lord’s anointed king 7 –
was caught in their traps, 8
of whom we thought, 9
“Under his protection 10 we will survive among the nations.”
[4:17] 1 tn Heb “Our eyes failed in vain for help.”
[4:18] 2 tn Heb “they”; this has been specified in the translation as “our enemies” for clarity.
[4:18] 3 tn Heb “they hunted our steps.”
[4:18] 4 tn Heb “our days were full.”
[4:19] 5 tn The bird referred to here could be one of several species of eagles, but more likely is the griffin-vulture (cf. NEB “vultures”). However, because eagles are more commonly associated with swiftness than vultures in contemporary English, “eagles” was used in the translation.
[4:19] 6 tn Or “in the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heaven(s)” or “sky” depending on the context.
[4:20] 7 tn Heb “the anointed one of the
[4:20] 8 tn Heb “was captured in their pits.”
[4:20] 9 tn Heb “of whom we had said.”
[4:20] 10 tn Heb “under his shadow.” The term צֵל (tsel, “shadow”) is used figuratively here to refer the source of protection from military enemies. In the same way that the shade of a tree gives physical relief and protection from the heat of the sun (e.g., Judg 9:15; Job 40:22; Ps 80:11; Song 2:3; Ezek 17:23; 31:6, 12, 17; Hos 4:13; 14:8; Jon 4:5, 6), a faithful and powerful king can provide “shade” (= protection) from enemies and military attack (Num 14:19; Ps 91:1; Isa 30:2, 3; 49:2; 51:16; Jer 48:45; Lam 4:20).
