Lamentations 4:18

18 They tracked us down, those hunters. It wasn't safe to go out in the street. Our end was near, our days numbered. We were doomed.

Lamentations 4:18 Meaning and Commentary

Lamentations 4:18

They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets
The Chaldeans, from their forts and batteries, as they could see, they watched the people as they came out of their houses, and walked about the streets, and shot their arrows at them; so that they were obliged to keep within doors, and not stir out, which they could not do without great danger: our end is near, for our days are fulfilled; for our end is come;
either the end of their lives, the days, months, and years appointed for them being fulfilled; or the end of their commonwealth, the end of their civil and church state, at least as they thought; the time appointed for their destruction was not only near at hand, but was actually come; it was all over with them.

Lamentations 4:18 In-Context

16 God himself scattered them. No longer does he look out for them. He has nothing to do with the priests; he cares nothing for the elders.
17 We watched and watched, wore our eyes out looking for help. And nothing. We mounted our lookouts and looked for the help that never showed up.
18 They tracked us down, those hunters. It wasn't safe to go out in the street. Our end was near, our days numbered. We were doomed.
19 They came after us faster than eagles in flight, pressed us hard in the mountains, ambushed us in the desert.
20 Our king, our life's breath, the anointed of God, was caught in their traps - Our king under whose protection we always said we'd live.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.