De-Centering Lamentations: A Crisis of Hope, of Memory, and of Continued Presence

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Psalm 102, after 102:12, asserts that everything else in creation is temporal and evanescent.

“This is followed in Ps. 102 with the assertion that everything else in creation is temporal and evanescent.”

• cites Ps. 102Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Lamentations 5:2-18 contain an extended catalogue of woe and suffering.

“Verses 2-18 contain an extended catalogue of their woe and suffering.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Lamentations 5:19 is reminiscent of and echoes Psalm 102:12.

“The turn in verse 19 is reminiscent of Psalm 102.”

• Also stated in: § D NO LONGER ALONE · plain

  “Lamentations 5:19, “But you, O LORD, reign for ever; your throne endures to all generations”, echoes the claim in Psalm 102:12, “But you, O LORD, are enthroned for ever, your name endures to all generations”.”

• cites Psalm 102:12Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Lamentations 5 opens with imperatives typical of lament prayer, calling on God to remember, look, and see.

“The chapter opens with imperatives typical of lament prayer as God is called upon to “remember,” “look,” and “see” in the opening verse.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

By the book's close, the core affirmation of the Refugee remains a memory, attesting to the past but by no means guaranteeing the future, and it is not clear whether Yahweh continues to share that memory.

“By the book's close this core affirmation of the Refugee remains a memory, attesting to the past but by no means guaranteeing the future, and it is not clear whether Yahweh continues to share that memory.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Lament prayers are by their nature incomplete as long as they remain unanswered.

“Because lament prayers are addressed to God, they are by their nature incomplete as long as they remain unanswered.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The speaker evokes the memory of the covenant's foundation, with the threat of loss due to Israel's sin with the Golden Calf and the crisis of presence that resulted in Exodus 32-34, connecting it to the current crisis.

“The speaker evokes the memory of the covenant's foundation, with the threat of loss due to Israel's sin with the Golden Calf and the crisis of presence that resulted in Exodus 32-34, connecting it to the current crisis.”

• cites Westermann, Bracke, Berlin, Allen, and WrightNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

A dirge requires no response, but laments ultimately force a transition.

“A dirge requires no response, but laments ultimately force a transition.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The theological stance taken by Lamentations is created and sustained by its dissonant voices and the story that they tell together.

“the theological stance taken by Lamentations is created and sustained by its dissonant voices and the story that they tell together.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The nature of the transformation taking place in the characters as the result of their experience of exile is held open by the poet(s) of Lamentations.

“This suggests that the nature of the transformation taking place in the characters as the result of their experience of exile is held open by the poet(s) of Lamentations.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

In Lamentations 2, the Prophet's voice turns to lament and urges Daughter Zion to renew her prayers, and as the poems progress the Prophet loses detachment and enters into Zion's pain, taking up her lament.

“As the poems progress, the Prophet loses all detachment and distance, entering into Zion's pain and taking up her lament.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Both the orthodox testimony of the Refugee and the counter-testimony of the Community of faith adopt the prayer of lament in addressing Zion's crisis, and a number of parallels can be drawn between Lamentations and the tradition of lament prayers in the Psalter.

“It is significant that both the orthodox testimony of the Refugee and the counter-testimony of the Community of faith adopt the prayer of lament in addressing Zion's crisis and that a number of parallels can be drawn between Lamentations and the tradition of lament prayers in the Psalter.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Lamentations 1, 2, and 4 are city dirges, while Lamentations 3 is an individual lament and Lamentations 5 is a communal lament.

“Mark Boda, for example, contends that Lamentations 1, 2, and 4 are city dirges, while 3 is an individual lament and 5 is a communal lament.”

• cites Mark BodaNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Daughter Zion's steadfastness and unwillingness to deny her experience draws in and finally gives voice to the Community of faith.

“and it is her steadfastness and unwillingness to deny her experience that draws in and finally gives voice to the Community of faith.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The Prophet initially struggles to find words that do more than describe from a distance, words that share in and own Zion's devastation.

“Ironically, it is the Prophet who struggles initially to find words that do more than merely describe from a distance, words that share in and own Zion's devastation.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The forward movement of the story can be seen in the move from isolation to community.

“the forward movement of the story can be seen in the move from dirge to lament and from isolation to community”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

There is a progression as the book unfolds: a drawing together of Prophet and Community around stricken Zion.

“Second, there is a progression as the book unfolds; a drawing together of Prophet and Community around stricken Zion.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The Refugee's memories do not allow Daughter Zion to join in his confidence of being heard (3:56-63); they plunge her into renewed despair.

“Such memories, far from allowing Daughter Zion to join in the Refugee's confidence of being heard (3:56-63), plunge her into renewed despair”

• cites 3:56-63Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Moses must petition for the people's very survival (Ex.32:7-14) and for Yahweh's continued willingness to accept them as his own (Ex.32:7, 11).

“Moses must petition for the people's very survival (Ex.32:7-14) and for Yahweh's continued willingness to accept them as his own (Ex.32:7, 11).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In Lamentations 5, the Community has been given voice to engage in prayer calculated to move God, not merely to express pain.

“Like a song that begins with a lone voice, but then swells to include the full chorus, in chapter five the Community that has suffered so much loss has been given voice, not simply to express their pain, but to engage in the type of prayer most calculated to move God.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The Refugee joins readily with Daughter Zion's expressions of suffering, adding memories that give Zion her sense of identity and make her misery more profound by making unavoidable the contrast between what once was and what now is.

“The Refugee joins readily with Daughter Zion's expressions of suffering, adding the memories that both give Zion her sense of identity and make more profound her misery by making unavoidable the contrast between what once was and what now is.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The isolation of Daughter Zion and the Refugee is relieved as they are linked to the Prophet and are once more counted among the Community who joins them in prayer and protest.

“And the isolation of Daughter Zion and the Refugee are relieved as they are linked to the Prophet and are once more counted among the Community who joins them in prayer and protest.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The crisis point in Lamentations frames the question of God's continued presence among his people.

“The crisis point in Lamentations frames the question of God's continued presence among his people.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The ending of Lamentations forestalls the expected closure, leaving the hearer hanging and the future of Israel's relationship with God uncertain.

“The ending to the book of Lamentations, in contrast, forestalls the expected closure, leaving the hearer hanging and the future of Israel's relationship with God anything but certain.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Silence should not be mistaken for absence.

“Silence, though, should not be mistaken for absence.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: It is the very nature of the lament prayer to press into God's silence; if God were truly absent, such speech would devolve into dirge or cease altogether.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The Refugee's attestation in chapter 3, far from resolving the crisis, presses it to the wall, demanding to know whether Yahweh will break silence and renew his presence with the community of faith.

“The Refugee's attestation in chapter 3, far from resolving the crisis presses it to the wall, demanding to know whether Yahweh will break silence and renew his presence with the community of faith.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The question in Lamentations is not whether God will endure, but whether desolate Zion will continue in his presence.

“The question is not whether God will endure, but whether desolate Zion will continue in his presence.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The community lament does more than express pain; it protests divine forgetfulness and insists that only God's continued presence and covenant fidelity can make healing and restoration possible.

“But the community lament does more than express pain, it protests divine forgetfulness and insists that only God's continued presence and covenant fidelity can make healing and restoration possible.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

At the opening of the story, Daughter Zion has her voice and is able from the beginning both to express anguish and to speak boldly to the one who has orchestrated her desolation.

“As the story opens Daughter Zion has no slowness of speech.She has her voice and is able from the beginning both to express anguish and to speak boldly to the one who has orchestrated her desolation.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The story of the threatened loss of God's presence and possession of his chosen people in Ex. 32-34 is itself a counterweight to the description surrounding it of the design and building of the tabernacle, the visible symbol of God's covenant and presence with Israel, in Ex. 25-31 and 35-40.

“The story of the threatened loss of God's presence and possession of his chosen people in Ex. 32-34 is itself a counterweight to the description surrounding it of the design and building of the tabernacle, the visible symbol of God's covenant and presence with Israel, in Ex. 25-31 and 35-40.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

There is a movement throughout Lamentations from isolation toward community, seen first in the exchange between Daughter Zion and the Prophet in the first two chapters.

“There is also a movement throughout the book from isolation toward community that can be seen first of all in the exchange between Daughter Zion and the Prophet in the first two chapters.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The Refugee steps back by claiming an assurance of being heard by God, when such an assurance is as yet far from certain.

“But there is a 'stepping back' as well on the part of the Refugee, as he claims an assurance of being heard by God, when such an assurance is as yet far from certain.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Scholars have frequently looked to chapter three at the centre of the book of Lamentations to provide a note of hope, faith, and comfort, so that the book as a whole is considered a chiasm with its resolution at the centre.

“Scholars have frequently looked to chapter three at the centre of the book of Lamentations to provide a note of hope, faith, and comfort, so that the book as a whole is considered a chiasm with its resolution at the centre.”

• Also stated in: § B CHANGE COMES IN THE END · plain

  “there is a long tradition among commentators of looking to the centre of Lamentations to find resolution and meaning (Gottwald, Boda, Archie Lee, Allen).8”

• cites Gottwald, Boda, Archie Lee, AllenNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Either Yahweh will break silence to remember, look, and see, or he will remain silent and withdraw his presence, taking from Israel finally their sense of self and place.

“Either Yahweh will break silence to remember, to look, to see, or he will remain silent and withdraw his presence, taking from Israel finally their sense of self and place.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The mobilizing of the community in sustained lament in the final chapter presses the questions of God's ongoing presence with his people and the continued existence of his covenant with them to the breaking point.

“The mobilizing of the community in sustained lament in the final chapter of the story presses the questions of God's ongoing presence with his people and the continued existence of his covenant with them to the breaking point.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Dobbs-Allsopp's view that the contrast between the Refugee's affirmation in chapter three and the obvious failure of that claim to be realized in chapter five is ironic assumes an essential resignation and acceptance on the Community's part in chapter five, rather than a growing focus on the protest inherent in community lament.

“The limitation of this view, though, is that it assumes an essential resignation and acceptance on the Community's part in chapter five, rather than a growing focus on the protest inherent in community lament.”

• cites Dobbs-AllsoppNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The story awaits final resolution with God who will either break or perpetuate his silence.

“With bated breath and an unfinished prayer that the people themselves cannot complete, the story awaits final resolution with God who will either break or perpetuate his silence.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Prayers of lament are much more explicit in their use of the language of protest that challenges and seeks change, pressing God for response.

“But prayers of lament are much more explicit in their use of the language of protest that challenges and seeks change, pressing God for response.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The arc of the story told by a variety of characters reaches its climax in chapter three.

“The arc of the story told by a variety of characters reaches its climax in chapter three”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Chapter three is pivotal to our understanding of the book not because it provides resolution, but rather because it introduces the elements that frame the crisis that is at the heart of the book's climax.

“Chapter three is pivotal to our understanding of the book not because it provides resolution, but rather because it introduces the elements that frame the crisis that is at the heart of the book's climax.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The Community of faith may remember and continue to own the Exodus story, but it remains to be seen whether or not Yahweh will do so.

“The Community of faith may remember and continue to own the Exodus story, but it remains to be seen whether or not Yahweh will do so.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

This centrist reading does not give adequate attention to the developing story line running through the book as a whole or the role that chapter three plays in heightening the crisis initiated by the exile and provoking a turning point in the story.

“But this does not give adequate attention to the developing story line running through the book as a whole or the role that chapter three plays in heightening the crisis initiated by the exile and provoking a turning point in the story.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The poems of Lamentations evolve from the expression of anguish typical of dirges to language of protest found in lament prayers that demands change.

“The poems evolve from the expression of anguish typical of dirges to language of protest found in lament prayers that demands change.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The book of Lamentations as a whole does not move cleanly from city dirge to individual and community lament, but there is a general progression with dirge dominating the opening chapters and community lament the book's conclusion.

“My own argument is not that the book of Lamentations as a whole moves cleanly from city dirge to individual and community lament, but rather that there is a general progression with dirge dominating the opening chapters and community lament the book's conclusion.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The progression is accompanied by a change of language from the articulation of pain in dirges to a call for relief in laments that heighten the community's expectation and punctuate the divine silence.

“This is accompanied by a change of language from the articulation of pain in dirges to a call for relief in laments that both heighten the community's expectation and punctuate the divine silence.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Even when God repents his intention to destroy the people, Moses must nevertheless lobby for God's continued presence with his people.

“Even when God repents his intention to destroy the people, Moses must nevertheless lobby for God's continued presence with his people.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Through an act of remembrance the Refugee in chapter three connects the suffering and loss of Daughter Zion with the presence and, indeed, the very name and nature of God.

“More specifically, through an act of remembrance the Refugee in chapter three connects the suffering and loss of Daughter Zion with the presence and, indeed, the very name and nature of God.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The poems that precede chapter 3 do not match the poems that follow it in length and form.

“The poems that precede chapter 3 do not match the poems that follow it in length and form.”

• cites O'ConnorNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Israel considers the ways in which their relationship with Yahweh has fundamentally changed.

“as Israel considers the ways in which their relationship with Yahweh has fundamentally changed.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Chapters 4 and 5 grow shorter.

“Instead chapters 4 and 5 grow shorter”

• cites O'ConnorNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The effect of this breakdown is to underscore the ongoing silence of God and to make most acute the question with which the community presents him.

“The effect of this is to underscore the ongoing silence of God and to make most acute the question with which the community presents him.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Chapter 3 is not bordered by symmetrically composed poems to clinch a chiastic interpretation.

“Despite its midpoint location, however, chapter 3 is not bordered by symmetrically composed poems to clinch such an interpretive decision.”

• cites O'ConnorNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Dirges, with their offering of desolation and anguish, are far from passive, with shame, protest, and even accusation implied.

“Certainly dirges, with their offering of desolation and anguish, are far from passive, with shame, protest, and even accusation implied.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

It is God's silence that the characters in Lamentations seek to break, and it is the question of his continued presence with the community toward which the poet(s) lead their hearers.

“It is God's silence, then, that the characters in Lamentations seek to break and it is the question of his continued presence with the community toward which the poet(s) lead their hearers.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: It is the very nature of the lament prayer to press into God's silence; if God were truly absent, such speech would devolve into dirge or cease altogether.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The progression of Lamentations can be seen in two movements: the shift in genre from dirge to lament and the move from isolation to community.

“This can be seen in two movements; the shift in genre from dirge to lament and the move from isolation to community.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The final verses of Lamentations lack the needed resolution that would place limits on Israel's suffering and bring an end to God's silence, regardless of translation choice.

“But regardless of the choice made in translating the final verses of the book, they seem to lack the needed resolution that would place limits on Israel's suffering and bring an end to God's silence.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The acrostic form disappears altogether in chapter 5.

“and the acrostic form disappears altogether in chapter 5.”

• cites O'ConnorNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

It is God, one way or the other, who finally will conclude the story.

“It is God, one way or the other, who finally will conclude the story.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The understanding of Lamentations as a montage of non-linear images does not fully appreciate the verbal interplay between characters, the literary devices employed to affect change, and the forward movement from dirge to lament to a unified call for God to respond.

“But while the notion of non-linear images capitalizes on poetry's ability to evoke powerful emotion and a sense of shared experience, nevertheless this understanding does not fully appreciate the verbal interplay between the different characters presented, the literary devices employed in order to affect change, and the forward movement from dirge to lament to a unified call for God to respond”

• cites Benjamin MorseNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The breakdown of the acrostic and chapter-length structure is intended to draw the hearer onward from the story's centre to its ending.

“Given the use of acrostic and chapter length to punctuate the message, then, it is the breakdown of that structure that is intended to draw the ear of the hearer onward from the story's centre to its pregnant ending.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The forward movement of the story can be seen in the move from dirge to lament.

“the forward movement of the story can be seen in the move from dirge to lament”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Space is created to consider the unthinkable, that God's relationship with Israel has changed fundamentally and irrevocably.

“Space is created to consider the unthinkable, that God's relationship with Israel has changed fundamentally and irrevocably.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Two features in Lamentations suggest an unfolding story arc that progresses linearly to arrive, at the end of chapter five, at a crossroads poised for change.

“Two features in Lamentations suggest an unfolding story arc that progresses linearly to arrive, at the end of chapter five, at a crossroads poised for change.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The Refugee's claim does not evoke the declaration of the divine name alone with its attributions of justice and mercy, but also the larger story contained in Exodus 32-34 where the newly formed covenant, together with the presence of Yahweh with his people, come under threat.

“The Refugee's claim, though, does not evoke the declaration of the divine name alone with its attributions of justice and mercy, but also the larger story contained in Exodus 32-34 where the newly formed covenant, together with the presence of Yahweh with his people, come under threat.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Lamentations is not a simple, straightforward narrative telling a clear linear tale, but there is a progression of the story line and coming together of the characters in the poems as they are now organized, so that the book as a whole tells a story.

“While Lamentations is by no means a simple, straightforward narrative telling a clear linear tale, nevertheless there is a progression of the story line and coming together of the characters in the poems as they are now organized, so that the book as a whole tells a story.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

By the end of the book Zion's future remains uncertain and God's silence persists, so that it concludes with invitation and expectation rather than closure.

“Certainly, whether or not Linafelt's thesis is accepted, by the end of the book Zion's future remains uncertain and God's silence persists, so that it concludes with invitation and expectation rather than closure.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Lamentations tells the story of a journey to find a voice for a people confounded by loss.

“Lamentations tells the story of a journey to find a voice for a people confounded by loss.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Lamentations 3 and Psalm 77 share parallels in language.

“Adele Berlin and Dobbs-Allsopp both note parallels in language between Lamentations 3 and Psalm 77, a communal prayer that explores the nature of God's relationship with his people and the prospect that that relationship many, in fact, have changed.”

• cites Adele BerlinNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Dobbs-AllsoppNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The Refugee calls to remembrance Yahweh's steadfast love (hesed; vv.22, 32), faithfulness (emunah; v. 23), and his mercy/compassion (racham; v. 22, râcham; v. 32), pointing to the declaration of the divine name that provides the climax for this parallel story.

“He calls to remembrance Yahweh's steadfast love (hesed; vv.22, 32), faithfulness (emunah; v. 23), and his mercy/compassion (racham; v. 22, râcham; v. 32), pointing to the declaration of the divine name that provides the climax for this parallel story.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The fear expressed in Psalm 77:10 fuels the essential question being asked by the Community in Lamentations 5:21-22, not by the Refugee in Lamentations 3, who moves quickly to an assurance of being heard in Lamentations 3:55-63.

“And it is this fear which fuels the essential question being asked not by the Refugee in Lam. 3, who moves quickly to an assurance of being heard in Lam.3:55-63, but by the Community in Lam.5:21-22.”