LAMENTATIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Lamentations, noun: (1) A collection of poetic expressions of sorrow, grief, and mourning, usually written or recited in response to a tragic event or loss. (2) A book of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, consisting of five poetic laments that mourn the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people. (3) A heartfelt expression or vocalization of sadness, regret, or distress over a particular situation, often accompanied by lamenting or mourning rituals.
Lamentations is a word that encompasses both a genre of literature and a book of profound religious and cultural significance. As a literary genre, lamentations have been used across numerous cultures throughout history to express deep sorrow and grief, especially in response to collective and individual traumas such as wars, natural disasters, and the death of loved ones. In this context, lamentations often serve as a cathartic outlet for emotional processing and becoming reconciled with the hardships of life.
In a more specific sense, Lamentations refers to the biblical book found in the Hebrew Bible, and it is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. This book is composed of five individual poetic laments composed in a unique alphabetic acrostic structure, reflecting the deep mourning and sorrow of the Jewish people following the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem and their subsequent exile in Babylon. This book holds significant religious and historical importance for Judaism and is read during the annual commemoration of the fast day Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning for the Jewish people.
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A book of the Old Testament.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for LAMENTATIONS
Etymology of LAMENTATIONS
The word "Lamentations" originated from the Latin term "lamentationes", which was derived from the verb "lamentari", meaning "to lament" or "to mourn". The Latin word, in turn, can be traced back to the earlier Latin noun "lamentum", meaning "a lament" or "a wailing". This noun is believed to have roots in the Proto-Indo-European language, where the word "lament" originally meant "to cry out" or "to mourn". Over time, "Lamentations" eventually became associated with the biblical book in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah, who mourned and bemoaned the destruction of Jerusalem.
Similar spelling words for LAMENTATIONS
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