Lamentations 5:21

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Lamentations 5:21 tc The Kethib is וְנָשׁוּב (v^enashuv, “and we will return”), a simple vav + imperfect. The Qere is וְנָשׁוּבָה (v^enashuvah, “and let us return”), vav + cohortative. Both are from שׁוּב (shuv, “to return”).tn The cohortative after a volitive indicates purpose (“so that”). There is a wordplay in Hebrew between “Bring us back” (Hiphil imperative of שׁוּב [shuv, “to return”]) and “let us return” (Qal imperfect of שׁוּב). This repetition of the root שׁוּב is significant; it depicts a reciprocal relationship between God’s willingness to allow the nation to return to him, on the one hand, and its national repentance, on the other.
2. Lamentations 5:21 tn Heb “our days.” The term “days” is a synecdoche of time (= days) for what is experienced within that time span (= life) (e.g., Gen 5:4, 8, 11; 6:3; 9:29; 11:32; 25:7; 47:8, 9; Deut 22:19, 29; 23:7; Josh 24:31; Judg 2:7, 18; 2 Sam 19:35; Job 7:1, 16, 18; Pss 8:9; 39:5, 6; 90:9, 10, 12, 14; 103:15; Prov 31:12; Eccl 2:3; 5:17, 19; 6:3).
3. Lamentations 5:21 tn Heb “as of old.”