[1] 1:1 she Throughout this poem, the city of Jerusalem is represented as a woman.
[2] 1:3 where . way out Or, "in the narrow valleys."
[3] 1:4 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[4] 1:4 have been taken away This follows the ancient Greek version. The Hebrew has "are upset."
[5] 1:6 Daughter Zion Another name for Jerusalem.
[6] 1:14 yoke A pole that was put across the shoulders of men, usually slaves, or animals and used in pulling or carrying heavy loads.
[7] 1:15 Virgin Daughter Judah A name for the city of Jerusalem.
[8] 1:17 Jacob Another name for Israel (see Gen. 32:24-28), ancestor of the people of Israel (also called Israelites and, later, Jews). He was the father of twelve sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended.
[9] 2:1 Daughter Zion Another name for Jerusalem. Also in verses 8, 13.
[10] 2:2 Jacob Another name for Israel (see Gen. 32:24-28), ancestor of the people of Israel (also called Israelites and, later, Jews). He was the father of twelve sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended.
[11] 2:2 Daughter Judah Another name for Jerusalem. Also in verse 5.
[12] 2:6 his own tent This is a reference to the Lord's Temple in Jerusalem.
[13] 2:6 special days of rest Or, "Sabbaths." This might mean Saturday, or it might mean all the special days when the people were not supposed to work.
[14] 2:9 vision Something like a dream used by God to speak to people.
[15] 2:10 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[16] 2:10 sackcloth A rough cloth made from animal hair that people sometimes wore to show sadness.
[17] 2:15 Daughter Jerusalem Another name for Jerusalem.
[18] 2:18 Cry out The Hebrew says, "Their hearts cried out."
[19] 2:18 Daughter Zion Another name for Jerusalem.
[20] 3:24 The Lord . him Or, "The Lord is my portion and I trust him.
[21] 3:27 yoke A pole that was put across the shoulders of men, usually slaves, or animals and used in pulling or carrying heavy loads.
[22] 4:1 jewels Here, the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain.
[23] 4:2 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[24] 4:3 daughter of my people Another name for Jerusalem. Also in verse 6.
[25] 4:6 Sodom A city that God destroyed, together with the city of Gomorrah, because the people living there were so evil. See Gen. 19.
[26] 4:6 Gomorrah A city that God destroyed, together with the city of Sodom, because the people living there were so evil. See Gen. 19.
[27] 4:6 No human hand . destruction The Hebrew of this line is unclear.
[28] 4:7 dedicate To set apart something for God or for a special purpose, which means it can then be used only for that purpose.
[29] 4:16 elders (Old Testament) Older men who were city leaders and helped make decisions for the people.
[30] 5:5 yoke A pole that was put across the shoulders of men, usually slaves, or animals and used in pulling or carrying heavy loads.
[31] 5:6 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[32] 5:11 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.