Lamentations 4:13

13 But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous.

Lamentations 4:13 in Other Translations

13 For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,

13 This was for the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed in the midst of her the blood of the righteous.

13 Yet it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the sins of her priests, who defiled the city by shedding innocent blood.

13 Because of the sins of her prophets and the evil of her priests, Who exploited good and trusting people, robbing them of their lives,

13 [Yet it happened] because of the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous within her.

Lamentations 4:13 Meaning and Commentary

Lamentations 4:13

For the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her
priests
Aben Ezra interprets this of the prophets of Baal, and the priests of the high places; but though false prophets and wicked priests are meant, yet such as were among the Jews, made choice of and approved of by them: see ( 2 Chronicles 36:14 ) ; not that the people were faultless, but these were the principals, who by their examples led on and encouraged the common people in sin: that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her;
not the blood of innocent children, sacrificed to them by Moloch; but of good men in general, whom they persecuted and slew; and of the true prophets of the Lord in particular, whose blood they shed; and was the sin that brought on the destruction of their city by the Romans, as well as of that by the Chaldeans; see ( Matthew 23:35-38 ) ( James 5:6 ) .

Lamentations 4:13 In-Context

11 The LORD has given full vent to his wrath; he has poured out his fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations.

12 The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the peoples of the world, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem.

13 But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous.

14 Now they grope through the streets as if they were blind. They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments.

15 “Go away! You are unclean!” people cry to them. “Away! Away! Don’t touch us!” When they flee and wander about, people among the nations say, “They can stay here no longer.”

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 5:31; Jeremiah 6:13; Ezekiel 22:28; Micah 3:11
• 2. S 2 Kings 21:16