SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:7
Zain : Sus Nazareos fueron blancos más que la nieve, más resplandecientes que la leche; su compostura más encendida que las piedras preciosas cortadas del zafiro;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Lamentations 4:7
Verse 7. Her Nazarites were purer than snow] ryzn nazir does not always signify a person separated under a religious vow; it sometimes denotes what is chief or eminent. It is applied to Joseph, Gen. xlix. 26. Blayney therefore translates here, HER NOBLES.
"Her nobles were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk; They were ruddier on the bone than rubies; their veining was the sapphires." On which he remarks: - "In the first line the whiteness of their skin is described, and in the second, their flesh;" and as rzg gazar signifies to divide and intersect, as the blue veins do on the surface of the body, these are without doubt intended.
Milk will most certainly well apply to the whiteness of the sktn; the beautiful ruby to the ruddiness of the flesh; and the sapphire, in its clear transcendent purple, to the veins in a fine complexion. The reverse of this state, as described in the following verse, needs no explanation. The face was a dismal dark brown, the flesh gone, the skin shrivelled, and apparently wrapped round the bones.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. Her Nazarites were purer than snow , etc.] Such who separated themselves by a vow to the Lord, and abstained from drinking wine and strong drink, and by a moderate diet, and often washing themselves, as well as taking great care of their hair, appeared very neat and comely, like snow, without any spot or blemish. Some think such as were separated from others in dignity, very honourable persons, the sons of nobles, are meant, since the word has the signification of a “crown”, and interpret it, her princes; Jarchi makes mention of this sense, and rejects it; but it is received by many: and the meaning is, that her young noblemen, who were well fed, and neatly dressed, looked as pure and as beautiful as the driven snow: they were whiter than milk ; this intends the same thing, expressed by another metaphor: they were more ruddy in body than rubies ; or rather “than precious stones”; and particularly “than pearls”, which Bochart proves at large are designed by the word used, which are white, and not red; and the word should be rendered, “clearer” or “whiter than pearls”, as it is by Lyra and others f113 ; and the word in the Arabic language signifies white and clear f114 , as pearls are; and so the phrase is expressive of the beauty and comeliness of these persons: and Ludolphus says, that in the Ethiopic language it signifies “beautiful”; and he translates the whole, “they were more beautiful than pearls”; denoting the clearness of their skins, and the goodness of their complexion: their polishing [was] of sapphire ; or “their cutting, sapphire” f116 ; they were as beautiful as if they had been cut out of sapphire, and polished; which is a very precious stone, and looks very beautiful; so smooth were their skins. The Targum is, “their face or countenance is as sapphire.”
Braunius thinks the word used signifies the veins full of blood, which variously intersect the flesh like sapphirine rivers; and that the sense of the words is, “their bodies were white like snow and milk, yea, shining like pearls (or red in the cheeks, lips, etc. like coral f118 ); veins full of blood running between like sapphire, of a most agreeable sky colour; which is, a true description of a most fair and beautiful body.” (see Song of Solomon 5:14). All this is to be understood of them before the famine, but, when that came upon them, then they were as follow:
Matthew Henry Commentary
The deplorable state of the nation is contrasted with its ancien prosperity.
Lam. 4:1-12 What a change is here! Sin tarnishes the beauty of the mos exalted powers and the most excellent gifts; but that gold, tried in the fire, which Christ bestows, never will be taken from us; it outward appearance may be dimmed, but its real value can never be changed. The horrors of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem ar again described. Beholding the sad consequences of sin in the church of old, let us seriously consider to what the same causes may justly brin down the church now. But, Lord, though we have gone from thee in rebellion, yet turn to us, and turn our hearts to thee, that we ma fear thy name. Come to us, bless us with awakening, converting renewing, confirming grace.
Lam. 4:13-20 Nothing ripens a people more for ruin, nor fills the measure faster, than the sins of priests and prophets. The king himsel cannot escape, for Divine vengeance pursues him. Our anointed Kin alone is the life of our souls; we may safely live under his shadow and rejoice in Him in the midst of our enemies, for He is the true God and eternal life.
Lam. 4:21,22 Here it is foretold that an end should be put to Zion' troubles. Not the fulness of punishment deserved, but of what God ha determined to inflict. An end shall be put to Edom's triumphs. All the troubles of the church and of the believer will soon be accomplished And the doom of their enemies approaches. The Lord will bring their sins to light, and they shall lie down in eternal sorrow. Edom her represents all the enemies of the church. And the corruption, and sin of Israel, which the prophet has proved to be universal, justifies the judgments of the Lord. It shows the need of that grace in Christ Jesus which the sin and corruption of all mankind make so necessary __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
זכו 2141 נזיריה 5139 משׁלג 7950 צחו 6705 מחלב 2461 אדמו 119 עצם 6106 מפנינים 6443 ספיר 5601 גזרתם׃ 1508
