Why does the verse beginning with Pei precede the verse beginning with Ayin?
Rashi citing Eichah Rabah 2:20: It is because they said with their Peh (mouths) what their Ayin (eye) did not see 1 . Sifsei Chachamim - the first Perek is in proper order, for one who wants to lie, he says a little Emes at the beginning so it will be accepted in the end.
R. Avigdor: This is difficult. The enemies' words were due to what they saw (refer to 2:16:5:1)! (Also, this can explain 3:46, which is like our verse, but not the other verses for Pei that precede those for Ayin! - PF) Magihah (in Toras Chayim): Rashi and the Midrash imply that this refers to the enemies that our verse discusses. Sanhedrin 104b says so about the Meraglim, due to whom the Churban came!
What is the meaning of "Patzu Alayich Pihem"?
Ibn Ezra: They spoke much condescendingly]. "Patzu" is like "Yiftze Pihu" (Iyov 35:16) (Rid - and "u'Fatzesah ha'Adamah Es Piha" - Bamidbar 16:30).
Who are "Kol Oyvayich"?
Ri Kara: They are the nations around Eretz Yisrael; they rejoiced. The other nations were pained over the Churban (refer to 2:15:3:1).
Why did they say "Bilanu"?
Palgei Mayim: The punishment was so great that the nations said 'we swallowed them.'
What is the significance of "ha'Yom she'Kivinuhu Matzanu"?
R. Avigdor: The initial letters, reversed, spell Moshe. The day that Moshe said "va'Hashimosi Es Mikdesheichem" (Vayikra 26:31), we found and saw that day 1 .
R. Avigdor: Similarly, the last letters of "Ashbisah me'Enosh Zichram" (Devarim 32:26), reversed, spell Moshe - what Moshe said, we saw.
