imprisoned in the jail.

the new gate That is the Eastern Gate; so did Jonathan translate.

“We will surely tell the king” Perhaps he will hear.

to the court Heb. חצרה, equivalent to אל החצר. Every word that requires a ‘lammed’ in the beginning Scripture placed a ‘heh’ at its end.

and the brazier Heb. האח. Our Rabbis (Shabbath 21a) defined it as wood, called so because they burn with brotherhood. (That is to say that they are ignited one from the other, like brothers, who benefit each other. Omitted in other editions.) And according to its simple meaning, it appears that it is a vessel upon which they kindle fire before the princes.

three...verses Our Rabbis (Moed Katan 26a) stated. This was the Scroll of Lamentations. They read before him, (1:1) “How...(:2) She weeps...(ibid. 3) Judah has been exiled...(ibid. 4) The roads of Zion are mournful.” Despite all this, he was not troubled. He said, “I am the king over the survivors.” As soon as he read (ibid. 5), Her adversaries have become the head,” he said, “From now on, I am [no longer] the king.” Immediately, he rent it with a scribe’s razor.

he rent Heb. יקרעה, like קְרָעָה.

entreated Heb. הפגעו, supplicated.

many words like those At first, there were three alphabetical acrostics: (Lam. ch. 1) “O how... remained,” (2) “How...brought darkness,” (4) “How dim...has become.” And he added to it, (3) “I am the man,” in which every letter is tripled.