Lamentations 5:6-16

6 We have made a deal with Egypt [and] Assyria to be satisfied [with] food.
7 Our fathers have sinned, they are no more; we bear their iniquity.
8 Slaves rule over us; there is no one to deliver us from their hand.
9 {We risk our life for food} because of the sword of the desert.
10 Our skin is hot like an oven because of the scorching famine.
11 They raped women in Zion, young women in the cities of Judah.
12 They hang princes by their hand; they do not show respect before elders.
13 Young men must carry a hand-mill and boys stumble under the wood.
14 Elders are no longer at the gate, young men no longer play stringed instruments.
15 The joy of our hearts has stopped; our circle-dancing has changed to a mourning ceremony.
16 The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned!

Lamentations 5:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LAMENTATIONS 5

In this chapter are reckoned up the various calamities and distresses of the Jews in Babylon, which the Lord is desired to remember and consider, La 5:1-16; their great concern for the desolation of the temple in particular is expressed, La 5:17,18; and the chapter is concluded with a prayer that God would show favour to them, and turn them to him, and renew their prosperity as of old, though he had rejected them, and been wroth with them, La 5:19-22.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Literally "We take our food at our life"
  • [b]. Or "virgins"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.