19:11 Its boughs were strong, fit 1 for rulers’ scepters; it reached up into the clouds.
It stood out because of its height and its many branches. 2
19:12 But it was plucked up in anger; it was thrown down to the ground.
The east wind 3 dried up its fruit;
its strong branches broke off and withered –
a fire consumed them.
19:13 Now it is planted in the wilderness,
in a dry and thirsty land. 4
19:14 A fire has gone out from its branch; it has consumed its shoot and its fruit. 5
No strong branch was left in it, nor a scepter to rule.’
This is a lament song, and has become a lament song.”
1 tn The word “fit” does not occur in the Hebrew text.
2 tn Heb “and it was seen by its height and by the abundance of its branches.”
3 sn The east wind symbolizes the Babylonians.
4 sn This metaphor depicts the Babylonian exile of the Davidic dynasty.
5 tn The verse describes the similar situation recorded in Judg 9:20.