en_tn/lam/02/04.md

# He has bent his bow toward us like an enemy, he has set his right hand like an adversary

A soldier has to bend his bow in order to shoot an arrow from it. This speaks of the Lord preparing to attack Israel as if he were an enemy about to shoot them with a bow and arrow. Alternate translation: "He has prepared to kill us, like an enemy who has made his bow ready to shoot us" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile]])

# like an enemy ... like an adversary

"As if he were our enemy ... as if he were our adversary"

# he has set his right hand like an adversary. He has slaughtered all

Some modern translations read, "he has set his right hand. Like an adversary, he has slaughtered all"

# he has set his right hand

He has pulled back the bowstring and is ready to shoot an arrow. Most bowmen pull back the string and arrow with their right hands.

# in the tent of the daughter of Zion

The "daughter of Zion" is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. The phrase "tent of the daughter of Zion" speaks of Jerusalem as a "tent" emphasizing that it is the home of those who live there. Alternate translation: "who live in Jerusalem" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# he has poured out his wrath like fire

This speaks of the Lord's wrath as if it were a liquid that he were pouring out on the people. His wrath is also compared to a "fire" to emphasize how destructive it is. Alternate translation: "in his anger he has destroyed everything like a blazing fire" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])