Vav
“The earth heaves
Before him.
The world heaves.
All who live in the world
Heave.”
With the Hebrew letter Vav, the whole world, including the earth and everybody in it, would tremble or heave back and forth.
Vav
The punishment (Lam 4:6-4:6)
Vav
“The chastisement
Of my people
Has been greater
Than the punishment
Of Sodom.
It was overthrown
In a moment,
Even though
No hand
Was laid on it.”
This author compares the punishment of Jerusalem to that of the city of Sodom in Genesis, chapter 19, which seemed to resonate in the Israelite imagination. In fact, the punishment to the people of Jerusalem during this siege was worse than that of Sodom, because this punishment was lingering and not quick. This verse starts with the Hebrew consonant letter Vav in this acrostic poem.
The forgotten happiness (Lam 3:16-3:18)
Vav
“Yahweh has made
My teeth grind
On gravel.
He made me
Cower in ashes.
My soul is bereft
Of peace.
I have forgotten
What happiness is.
So I say.
‘Gone is my glory,
All that I had hoped for
From Yahweh.’”
This suffering person proclaims that Yahweh has made him grind his teeth on gravel, which is not a pretty thought. Yahweh made him cower or be afraid with ashes on him, as if in mourning. His soul had no peace. He had forgotten what happiness was. All the glory that he had hoped for from Yahweh was gone. He was almost in despair. These three verses start with the Hebrew consonant letter Vav in this acrostic poem.
Yahweh has destroyed his own Temple (Lam 2:6-2:6)
Vav
“Yahweh
Has broken down
His booth
Like a garden.
He has destroyed
His tabernacle.
Yahweh has abolished
Festivals
Along with the Sabbath
In Zion.
His fierce indignation
Has spurned Kings
As well as priests.”
Yahweh has destroyed his own booth or tabernacle. Yahweh has abolished all Sabbath and festival worship services, mainly because there was no more Temple. In his fierce indignation, Yahweh has turned against his kings and priests. After all, a lot of people have died or gone into Babylonian captivity or, like Jeremiah, gone to Egypt or other places. This verse starts with the Hebrew consonant letter Vav. Each verse after this will use the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet in this acrostic poem.
The princes have fled (Lam 1:6-1:6)
Vav
“All her majesty
Has departed
From daughter Zion!
Her princes
Have become
Like stags
That find no pasture.
They fled
Without strength
Before the pursuer.”
All the great majesty that was part of Zion has now departed. Her princes have become like wandering stag deer with no place to pasture. They even fled without any strength before the pursuing Babylonians. This verse starts with the Hebrew consonant letter Vav. Each verse after this will use the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet in this acrostic poem.
Steadfast love (Ps 119:41-119:48)
Vav
“Let your steadfast love come to me!
Yahweh!
Let your salvation come to me according to your promise!
Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me.
I trust in your word.
Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth.
My hope is in your ordinances.
I will keep your law continually,
Forever and ever.
I shall walk at liberty.
I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your decrees before kings.
I shall not be put to shame.
I find my delight in your commandments.
I love them!
I revere your commandments.
I love them!
I will meditate on your statutes.”
The psalmist wants the steadfast love of Yahweh to be with him. He wanted to be saved as Yahweh had promised. He trusted in the word of Yahweh. He did not want to be taunted. He had hope in the ordinances and laws of Yahweh. He wanted to continually walk in the liberty that God’s ordinances brought him. He wanted to tell kings about his God’s decrees. He delighted and loved the commandments of God. He wanted to meditate on all God’s statutes. So ends this section on the sixth consonant of the Hebrew alphabet, Vav.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 