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One of the most devastating results of Israel鈥檚 sin against God was that the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem in 586 BC. The prophet Jeremiah lamented the loss of the city and the sin that led to it, crying, 鈥淥h, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people鈥� (Jeremiah 9:1). The book of Lamentations is a record of the prophet鈥檚 grief, describing the destruction of the city walls and the burning of the temple. He likely wrote it shortly after the fall of the city in 586 BC.

The first verse of Lamentations describes Jerusalem鈥檚 fall. Jeremiah mourns, 鈥淗ow deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave鈥� (Lamentations 1:1). The book鈥檚 opening sets the tone for the entire five-chapter book. It further supports the view that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations soon after Jerusalem鈥檚 destruction, as it conveys the sorrow of someone who witnessed the devastation.

The book of Jeremiah clearly identifies the prophet as its author (e.g., Jeremiah 1:1–3), and Lamentations shares many of its themes and descriptions. This strengthens the view that Jeremiah also wrote Lamentations soon after Jerusalem鈥檚 fall.

Further strengthening the connection between the two books is the way they portray Jerusalem鈥檚 suffering using similar language. For example, Lamentations 1:2 says, 鈥淏itterly she weeps at night, tears are on her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.鈥� Likewise, Jeremiah 30:14 declares, 鈥淎ll your allies have forgotten you; they care nothing for you. I have struck you as an enemy would and punished you as would the cruel, because your guilt is so great and your sins so many.鈥� These types of parallels further support the view that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations soon after witnessing Jerusalem鈥檚 fall.

Although Lamentations does not directly name its author, internal evidence supports the view that Jeremiah wrote it. This connection helps establish the book鈥檚 date, since Jeremiah personally witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem. For example, Lamentations 1:14 personifies Jerusalem鈥檚 suffering under the Babylonian conquest: 鈥淢y sins have been bound into a yoke; by his hands they were woven together. They have been hung on my neck, and the Lord has sapped my strength. He has given me into the hands of those I cannot withstand.鈥�

There is further evidence in Lamentations that an eyewitness wrote the book. For instance, Lamentations 2:9 describes the condition of the city in detail: 鈥淗er gates have sunk into the ground; their bars he has broken and destroyed. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and her prophets no longer find visions from the Lord.鈥� This verse reflects not only the physical ruin of Jerusalem but also its spiritual and political collapse. These descriptions support the view that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations shortly after the city鈥檚 fall in 586 BC.

Though the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and Jeremiah was later taken to Egypt against his will, God鈥檚 people were not without hope. Jeremiah expressed his hope in the book: 鈥淏ecause of the Lord鈥檚 great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 鈥楾he Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him鈥欌�� (Lamentations 3:22–24). Even in the worst times of Israel鈥檚 history, Lamentations affirms that God is faithful to His people.