Lamentations 5:3

3 Nous sommes orphelins, sans père; Nos mères sont comme des veuves.

Lamentations 5:3 Meaning and Commentary

Lamentations 5:3

We are orphans and fatherless
In every sense; in a natural sense, their fathers having been cut off by the sword, famine, or pestilence; in a civil sense, their king being taken from them; and in a religious sense, God having forsaken them for their sins: our mothers [are] as widows;
either really so, their husbands being dead; or were as if they had no husbands, they not being able to provide for them, protect and deferred them. The Targum adds,

``whose husbands are gone to the cities of the sea, and it is doubtful whether they are alive.''

Some understand this politically, of their cities being desolate and defenceless.

Lamentations 5:3 In-Context

1 Souviens-toi, Eternel, de ce qui nous est arrivé! Regarde, vois notre opprobre!

2 Notre héritage a passé à des étrangers, Nos maisons à des inconnus.

3 Nous sommes orphelins, sans père; Nos mères sont comme des veuves.

4 Nous buvons notre eau à prix d'argent, Nous payons notre bois.

5 Nous sommes poursuivis, le joug sur le cou; Nous sommes épuisés, nous n'avons point de repos.