Hope from a Linear Reading of Lamentations

This article investigates whether a linear reading of the book of Lamentations is able to produce the same results as a concentric reading. A number of scholars have argued that a concentric reading of the book of Lamentations results in a chiastic structure that places Lamentations 3 at the centre. The central part is anchored on the words of hope uttered by the גבר. Besides the concentric reading of the text, one may opt for a linear reading of the text. It is observed in this article that if one opts for a linear reading, three of the five laments end with an imprecation. Two of the five laments end with a prayer. Such a conclusion of the laments shows a hopeful ending rather than a doubtful ending. It is therefore argued that the hopeful tone from a concentric reading can still be found from a linear reading of the text of Lamentations.