OET interlinear LAM 2:3

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

גָּדַ֣ע בָּֽ⁠חֳרִי אַ֗ף כֹּ֚ל קֶ֣רֶן יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

(Some words not found in UHB: cut_off in_[the],heat_of also/though all might_of Yisrael he_withdrew back hand_of,his_right from=face/in_front_of enemy and,he_has_burned (in),Jacob like,a_fire_of flaming eating all_around )

The writer is speaking of God removing the power of Israel as if God cut off every horn, since a horn represents the strength and power of an animal. If your language has a comparable expression, you could use it. If not, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [He has destroyed in fierce anger all the power of Israel]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

בָּֽ⁠חֳרִי אַ֗ף

(Some words not found in UHB: cut_off in_[the],heat_of also/though all might_of Yisrael he_withdrew back hand_of,his_right from=face/in_front_of enemy and,he_has_burned (in),Jacob like,a_fire_of flaming eating all_around )

Here, nose represents the emotion of wrath, since the nostrils flare when a person is angry. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable expression that has the same meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [in burning wrath] or [angrily]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

הֵשִׁ֥יב אָח֛וֹר יְמִינ֖⁠וֹ

(Some words not found in UHB: cut_off in_[the],heat_of also/though all might_of Yisrael he_withdrew back hand_of,his_right from=face/in_front_of enemy and,he_has_burned (in),Jacob like,a_fire_of flaming eating all_around )

Here, his right hand represents God’s power to help and protect his people, since the right hand was associated with strength and action. The writer says that God turned back this power, meaning he withdrew his protection. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [He has withdrawn his protective power]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

מִ⁠פְּנֵ֣י אוֹיֵ֑ב

(Some words not found in UHB: cut_off in_[the],heat_of also/though all might_of Yisrael he_withdrew back hand_of,his_right from=face/in_front_of enemy and,he_has_burned (in),Jacob like,a_fire_of flaming eating all_around )

Jeremiah is using from the face of as a common expression to mean “from before” or “away from the direction of.” He means that God withdrew his right hand away from facing the enemy, leaving Israel unprotected. If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [from before the enemy] or [from the enemy’s advance]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

וַ⁠יִּבְעַ֤ר בְּ⁠יַעֲקֹב֙ כְּ⁠אֵ֣שׁ לֶֽהָבָ֔ה

(Some words not found in UHB: cut_off in_[the],heat_of also/though all might_of Yisrael he_withdrew back hand_of,his_right from=face/in_front_of enemy and,he_has_burned (in),Jacob like,a_fire_of flaming eating all_around )

The writer uses this comparison to say that God’s judgment was as destructive to Israel as a fire of flame is to whatever it burns. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [and he has destroyed Jacob with devastating force]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

אָכְלָ֖ה סָבִֽיב

eating all_around

The writer is continuing the image of fire, speaking of God’s judgment as a flame that destroys everything in its path. The word consuming pictures the fire burning to nothing everything it touches. If your language has a comparable expression, you could use it. If not, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [destroying everything on every side]