“Turn Away, Unclean!”: Analyzing ס֤וּרוּ… ס֨וּרוּ in Lamentations 4:15
Introduction to Lamentations 4:15: Public Shame and Ritual Defilement This verse from Lamentations 4:15 depicts the depth of Jerusalem’s humiliation after the Babylonian destruction. The once-honored people of YHWH are now driven away with the cry ס֣וּרוּ טָמֵ֞א—“Turn aside! Unclean!” The command ס֤וּרוּ is then repeated for emphasis: ס֤וּרוּ ס֨וּרוּ. This article focuses on the…