This was for the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed in the midst of her the blood of the righteous.
The Prophet, as in a matter fully proved, rebukes the Jews, that he might, as it was necessary, bring down their pride. Had he at first condemned the wickedness of the prophets and the priests, no credit would have been given to his word.
The prophets and priests bear chief fault, not that the people were innocent, but these watchmen should have warned them and did not. They shed the blood of the righteous to please their people and advance their false religion. Nothing ripens a nation for ruin faster than the sins of those set to teach the truth.
AI summary
Commenting on Lamentations 4:13-20
For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests,.... Aben Ezra interprets this of the prophets of Baal, and the priests of the high places; but though false prophets and wicked priests are meant, yet such as were among the Jews, made choice of and approved of by them: see Ch2 36:14; not that the people were faultless, but these were the...