Verse 8 has undergone considerable rearrangement in Good News Translation. Good News Translation‘s first line corresponds to the second unit in Hebrew, the second line in Good News Translation corresponds to the third unit in Hebrew, and Good News Translation‘s third line is the first unit in Hebrew. The purpose of this reordering of units is to set forth the conditions which describe Jerusalem’s present status. The past act which caused the condition is kept for the final line. It is equally possible, however, to give an accurate picture by following the Hebrew line order as seen in Revised Standard Version.
Jerusalem sinned grievously: sinned does not translate the word rendered “transgressions” in verse 5. Here the term is general and means to do evil or wrong, to err by being opposed to God. Grievously translates a word indicating sorrowful extent and may be translated “greatly,” “terribly,” “gravely.” See Good News Translation‘s final line “with terrible sin.”
She became filthy: the word translated filthy is taken by some interpreters to refer to an object of scorn, and so AB translates “people shake their heads at her.” This ties in well with the last unit of verse 7. Gordis agrees and translates “Therefore she is scorned.” However, most modern translations understand the word to signify the ceremonial uncleanliness of a woman during her period of menstruation, as indicated in Leviticus 12.2, 5; 15.19-24. In view of the context the word is probably to be understood as a variant spelling of the word translated “filthy thing” in verse 17. This line clearly links verse 8 with verse 9.
In many languages she became filthy will refer only to physical dirtiness. In some cases the real meaning may be clear. However, it is unlikely that the reader will understand how sin can result in a person becoming “dirty.” Accordingly in many languages it will be more meaningful to shift to the idea of defilement, and in some languages we may say, for example, “no one would touch her because her sins had made her defiled” or “no one would go near her because she had sinned and was taboo.”
All who honored her despise her: that is, all those nations who formerly respected Jerusalem now hate her. Still speaking of Jerusalem as a woman, the next half-line gives the reason for despising her: for they have seen her nakedness, which Good News Translation renders “she is naked and held in contempt.” Those who honored her are her former allies, as in verse 2. In Ezekiel 16.37 Jerusalem is again represented as a woman and is stripped naked in the sight of her “lovers.” Nakedness was a disgrace, and stripping off the clothing was a punishment for faithless women, as in Hosea 2.3.
Yea, she herself groans: yea translates the Hebrew for “also” and may not require translating. It is because of her shame that she groans (same verb as in verse 4). Turns her face away is her reaction to the public shame of exposure. Good News Translation “hides her face in shame” expresses the idea well in English. Bible en français courant says “She can only withdraw and utter sighs.” Translators should use the common expression suitable for the context. In some languages this is “she covers her head with her hands,” “she places her hands over her eyes,” or “she drops to the ground.”
Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on Lamentations. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .