Definition: And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as [if it were of] a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Lamentations 2:6. It’s a really powerful and sad verse that describes a significant turning point in Israel's history. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Imagine Israel was a beautiful, thriving country, and God was their loving protector. But over time, they became very selfish and disrespectful. They started to ignore God’s instructions about how to worship Him and celebrate special times (like Passover and the Sabbath). They lost faith and stopped valuing the relationship with God. What the Verse Says – It's a Harsh Description: “He hath violently taken away his tabernacle…” : The “tabernacle” was a special, portable home for God’s presence in Israel. Think of it like a covered shrine or temple where He lived and interacted with His people. It was very important to the Israelites. “…as [if it were] a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly…” : This is a metaphor – it’s comparing the tabernacle to a beautiful garden. God wanted to be surrounded by His people, and the tabernacle was designed for that connection. It was destroyed . “the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion…” : This means the important religious rituals and celebrations that were meant to show reverence and gratitude to God were stopped or ignored. They weren’t treated with the importance they deserved. “…and hath despised in the indignation of his anger.” : This is the most dramatic part. The Lord was angry ! He felt deeply hurt and betrayed by this lack of respect. It's like when someone breaks a trust, and the person feels incredibly wronged. What it Means – A Big Loss: The verse paints a picture of a deep spiritual wound for Israel. It shows that: God’s Presence Was Severely Disrespected: The core of the problem was a lack of reverence and connection with God. His Plan Was Broken: The tabernacle was a symbol of God's presence and His plan for Israel. When it was lost, it meant a loss of God’s favor and guidance. It Led to Spiritual Darkness: The verse suggests that this disregard for God led to a period of spiritual darkness and despair within the nation. In short, the verse describes a time when Israel turned away from God and allowed their relationship with Him to decline. Important Note: It’s important to remember that Lamentations is a lament – a sorrowful expression of pain and regret. It's not meant to be a condemnation of Israel, but rather a reflection on the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God’s commands. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Connect this verse to a specific event or story in biblical history? Give a slightly different perspective on what the verse is trying to convey?