How the gold has become tarnished, the pure gold has become dull! The gems of the temple lie scattered on every street corner.
Here Jeremiah, following the order of the alphabet the fourth time, Here, as in the two first chapters, the verses only begin alphabetically, but instead of having three or six lines, they have only two or four. — Ed. deplores the ruin of the city, and the destruction of the priesthood and of the kingdom.
Jerusalem, once splendid as fine gold, has become dull and worthless dross. The temple's gold was sullied in the fire, its precious stones scattered like rubbish through the streets. When God withdrew His presence through provoked judgment, no wonder the sanctuary itself was profaned and cast down.
AI summary
Commenting on Lamentations 4:1-12
How is the gold become dim!.... Or "covered" (b); or hid with rust, dust, or dirt; so that it can scarcely be discerned: how is the most fine gold changed! this may be literally true of the gold of the temple; and so the Targum calls it "the gold of the house of the sanctuary;'' with which that was overlaid, and many things in it...