Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
Judah mourneth,.... That is, the inhabitants of Judah; those of the house of Judah, as the Targum; these mourned because of the drought and famine that were upon the land:
and the gates thereof…
Barnes' Notes
They are black unto the ground - The people assembled at the gates, the usual places of concourse, are in deep mourning and sit humbly on the ground.
The first verse is the title of the whole chapter: it does indeed all concern the dearth, but much of it consists of the prophet's prayers concerning it; yet these are not unfitly said to be, The word…
Cambridge Bible
the gates put, as often in Hebrew, for cities, i.e. for the inhabitants, as being the place of general resort.
they sit in black upon the ground Cp. Jer 8:21; Jer 13:18; also Psa 137:1; and Isa 47:1.
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture