Definition: Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Lamentations 3:48. It’s a really powerful and somewhat poetic passage about God’s sadness and care for His people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is deeply saddened by the suffering and hardship experienced by His people – specifically, by the destruction of their daughter (which we can interpret as a specific group or community). He's expressing this sadness with a lot of intensity. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Mine eye runneth down…” : This is a metaphor. “Eye” represents God’s compassion and his ability to feel something deeply. "Runneth down" means he pours out a large amount of something - like tears, water, or sadness. “…for the destruction of the daughter of my people.” : This is the core of the verse. "Daughter of my people" is a really important phrase. It refers to the Jewish community God loved and cared for – the Israelites. “Destruction” means suffering, pain, loss, and hardship. So, this part says that God feels immense sorrow and sadness because of a terrible event happening to his people. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: It's not just about one specific tragedy. Lamentations 3:48 suggests a long history of suffering for the Israelites. It implies that God is deeply affected by their pain, and he’s actively working to alleviate it – through pouring out his sadness in a way that’s overwhelming. Why is this verse significant? It shows God's love: It highlights that even when people suffer greatly, God cares about them deeply. It acknowledges suffering: It doesn't shy away from the reality of hardship. It’s a reminder of hope: While acknowledging sadness, it also points towards God's ultimate plan to restore and heal. Think of it like this: Imagine someone who is constantly feeling heartbroken – that’s kind of what this verse describes. It’s a powerful expression of God’s love and concern for His people. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Lamentations 3? Talk about the context of Lamentations (when it was written)? Provide some possible interpretations of the verse?