Lamentations 5:12

12 Princes are hung up by their hands, leaders receive no respect.

Lamentations 5:12 Meaning and Commentary

Lamentations 5:12

Princes are hanged up by their hand
According to some, as Aben Ezra observes, by the hand of the servants before mentioned; however, by the hand of the Chaldeans or Babylonians; see ( Jeremiah 52:10 ) . Some understand it of their own hands, as if they laid violent hands upon themselves, not being able to bear the hardships and disgrace they were subjected to but I should rather think this is to be understood of hanging them, not by the neck, but by the hand, could any instance be given of such a kind of punishment so early used, and by this people; which has been in other nations, and in more modern times: the faces of elders were not honoured;
no reverence or respect were shown to elders in age or office, or on account of either; but were treated with rudeness and contempt.

Lamentations 5:12 In-Context

10 Our skins are as black as a furnace because of the searing blasts of famine.
11 They have raped the women of Tziyon, virgins in the cities of Y'hudah.
12 Princes are hung up by their hands, leaders receive no respect.
13 Young men are compelled to grind at the mill, boys stagger under loads of wood.
14 The old men have deserted the city gate, the young men have given up their music.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.