Lamentation
TextsWhat is the meaning of Lamentation in the Bible?
Derived from the Hebrew term qinah, a lamentation is a formal expression of grief. It typically takes the form of a dirge or a funeral elegy.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Analyzing these poetic structures reveals the emotional depth and liturgical frameworks ancient communities used to process national catastrophe, providing essential context for interpreting prophetic and historical narratives in the Bible.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Lamentation functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Lamentation in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Lamentation clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Lamentation." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/lamentation/