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LAMENTATIONS 4

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Etc.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 4:1-22
 ¹How dark the gold has become,
 How the pure gold has changed!
 The sacred stones are poured out
 At the corner of every street.
 ²The precious sons of Zion,
 Weighed against fine gold,
 How they are regarded as earthen jars,
 The work of a potter's hands!
 ³Even jackals offer the breast,
 They nurse their young;
 But the daughter of my people has become cruel
 Like ostriches in the wilderness.
 ⁴The tongue of the infant cleaves
 To the roof of its mouth because of thirst;
 The little ones ask for bread,
 But no one breaks it for them.
 ⁵Those who ate delicacies
 Are desolate in the streets;
 Those reared in purple
 Embrace ash pits.
 ⁶For the iniquity of the daughter of my people
 Is greater than the sin of Sodom,
 Which was overthrown as in a moment,
 And no hands were turned toward her.
 ⁷Her consecrated ones were purer than snow,
 They were whiter than milk;
 They were more ruddy in body than corals,
 Their polishing was like lapis lazuli.
 ⁸Their appearance is blacker than soot,
 They are not recognized in the streets;
 Their skin is shriveled on their bones,
 It is withered, it has become like wood.
 ⁹Better are those slain with the sword
 Than those slain with hunger;
 For they pine away, being stricken
 For lack of the fruits of the field.
 ¹⁰The hands of compassionate women
 Boiled their own children;
 They became food for them
 Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people.
 ¹¹The Lord has accomplished His wrath,
 He has poured out His fierce anger;
 And He has kindled a fire in Zion
 Which has consumed its foundations.
 ¹²The kings of the earth did not believe,
 Nor did any of the inhabitants of the world,
 That the adversary and the enemy
 Could enter the gates of Jerusalem.
 ¹³Because of the sins of her prophets
 And the iniquities of her priests,
 Who have shed in her midst
 The blood of the righteous;
 ¹⁴They wandered, blind, in the streets;
 They were defiled with blood
 So that no one could touch their garments.
 ¹⁵"Depart! Unclean!" they cried of themselves.
 "Depart, depart, do not touch!"
 So they fled and wandered;
 Men among the nations said,
 "They shall not continue to dwell with us."
 ¹⁶The presence of the Lord has scattered them,
 He will not continue to regard them;
 They did not honor the priests,
 They did not favor the elders.
 ¹⁷Yet our eyes failed,
 Looking for help was useless;
 In our watching we have watched
 For a nation that could not save.
 ¹⁸They hunted our steps
 So that we could not walk in our streets;
 Our end drew near,
 Our days were finished
 For our end had come.
 ¹⁹Our pursuers were swifter
 Than the eagles of the sky;
 They chased us on the mountains,
 They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.
 ²⁰The breath of our nostrils, the Lord's anointed,
 Was captured in their pits,
 Of whom we had said, "Under his shadow
 We shall live among the nations."
 ²¹Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom,
 Who dwells in the land of Uz;
 But the cup will come around to you as well,
 You will become drunk and make yourself naked.
 ²²The punishment of your iniquity has been completed, O daughter of Zion;
 He will exile you no longer.
 But He will punish your iniquity, O daughter of Edom;
 He will expose your sins!

4:1 "How" This is the same exclamatory term (BDB 32) that starts the lament in chapters 1 and 2 (cf. Isa. 14:4,12), usually translated, "Alas" (JPSOA, NET Bible).

▣ "dark" This is imagery of gold losing its value compared to the value of the covenant people of Judah (cf. Lam. 4:2a). AB, p. 78, suggests an emendation to "despised." Judah's sin and rebellion have tarnished her glory and value.

▣ "the sacred stones" This may refer to the twelve stones on the breastplate of the High Priest. Here it would refer to Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, who were part of the southern kingdom of Judah.

The JPSOA translation suggests in a footnote an emendation from "sacred" (BDB 871) to "precious" (BDB 429). The gold would still be from the Temple but the change would parallel Lam. 4:2a.

It is even possible that the imagery comes from Zech. 9:16, where the covenant people are described as the jewels in YHWH's royal crown (cf. Isa. 62:3).

SPECIAL TOPIC: BREASTPLATE OF THE HIGH PRIEST

4:2 "sons of Zion" This refers to the population of Jerusalem. They are the "sacred stones" of Lam. 4:1 because of Jerusalem's association with the Temple. They are worth their weight in gold (BDB 698, KB 756, Pual ACTIVE PARTICIPLE).

▣ "earthen jars" What a contrast! The precious ones are the easily broken and discarded ones. This imagery may suggest

1. the violent fall of Jerusalem
2. God's part (i.e., the Divine potter, cf. Isa. 48:9; Jeremiah 18) in the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple

The MT has תבין (BDB 1072), which means

1. serpent ‒ Deut. 32:33; Ps. 91:13
2. dragon ‒ Neh. 2:13; Jer. 51:34
3. sea monster ‒ Gen. 1:21; Job 7:12; Ps. 74:13; 148:7; Isa. 27:1; 51:9; Ezek. 29:3; 32:2

The Masoretic scholars suggested תן (BDB 1072), cf. Job 30:29; Ps. 44:19; Isa. 13:22; 43:20; Jer. 9:11; 10:22; 49:33; 51:37; Mic. 1:8; Mal. 1:3.

The UBS Text Project gives "jackals" an "A" rating (very high probability), p. 350.

SPECIAL TOPIC: LEVIATHAN

▣ "the daughter of my people" The MT has the SINGULAR "daughter" (BDB 123) but the Targums, LXX, and Peshitta change it to the PLURAL (REB).

1. SINGULAR ‒ the city of Jerusalem seen as women (collective)
2. PLURAL ‒ refers to all the mothers in Jerusalem

▣ "cruel like ostriches" Ostriches (Qere, BDB 419, LXX and Peshitta) were an ANE proverb of careless parents (cf. Job 39:13-18). Both jackals and ostriches were desert animals connected to abandoned, destroyed ruins. Their presence was seen as the presence of the demonic (cf. Isa. 13:21-22; 34:13-15; Rev. 18:2).

It is possible that "ostrich" could be "eagle-owl." See NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 489.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEMONIC IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

4:5 This verse addresses the privileged and wealthy people of Jerusalem.

1. they ate delicacies (BDB 726, cf. Gen. 49:20)
2. they dressed in purple (BDB 1068)

But now they scavenge (lit. "embrace," BDB 287, KB 287, Piel PERFECT) in the trash heaps (BDB 1046, cf. Job 2:8; Ps. 113:7; at a gate in Jerusalem in Neh. 2:13; 3:13,14; 12:31) like everyone else!

For "desolate" see notes at Lam. 1:13,16; 3:11.

The MT has a comparison of the divine punishment brought on Sodom (cf. Gen. 19:1-11,27-29; Deut. 32:32; Jer. 23:14; Ezek. 16:44-59) and the punishment brought on Judah (cf. 2 Kings 25; 2 Chr. 36:9-21).

This punishment was greater because the level of the knowledge of YHWH (and His will) was greater (i.e., Rom. 9:4).

▣ "and no hands were turned toward her" The MT is difficult here and might mean

1. JB, REB, "no time to wring his hands"
2. NRSV, JB, JPSOA, "without a hand being laid on it"
3. TEV, "which met a sudden downfall at the hands of God"
4. NKJV, NET, "with no hand to help her"

The idea is that Sodom fell in a supernatural/natural event initiated by YHWH so quickly that even the Sodomites did not have time to fear (cf. JB, REV). But Jerusalem fell by the hands of the Babylonians (at YHWH's initiation).

4:7-9 There is a contrast between the healthy Jerusalemites in Lam. 4:7 and the hungry, emaciated ones in Lam. 4:8.

The conclusion is drawn in Lam 4:9 that a quick death in the invasion (or final assault) is better than the slow death of hunger and disease in a besieged city.

The MT has "consecrated one" (BDB 634).

1. Nazirite ‒ Numbers 6; Jdgs. 13:5,7; 16:17
2. prince, ruler ‒ Gen. 49:26; Deut. 33:16
3. NJB comes from a change of roots (BDB 654 II: boy, lad, youth, cf. Lam. 2:21; Deut. 28:50; Ps. 148:12; Jer. 1:6,7)

The problem comes because the Hebrew root is uncertain.

1. stem, trunk ‒ בוע, BDB 160
2. cut, polish ‒ גורה, BDB 160
3. cut, divide ‒ בור, BDB 160
4. NRSV follows ANE parallels of putting lapis lazuli in the beard or hair of statues

There are so many contrasts in this lament between verses (antithetical parallelism). Note the contrast between Lam. 4:7 and 8.

It is obvious that Lam. 4:7 is describing handsome, healthy, viral, young men (see Song of Songs 5:11-16).

4:9 There are obviously two kinds of death being contrasted.

1. a slow death by starvation ‒ the VERB (BDB 264, KB 266, Qal IMPERFECT) means "to flow," or "to gush"; only here is it translated "pine away." Some scholars suggest an emendation to "feed" (BDB 266).
2. a fast death by the sword ‒ the VERB (BDB 201, KB 230, Pual ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, NASB, "slain") means "to be pierced." The VERB should be translated to reflect which VERB goes with which death.

4:10 This describes the horrible nature of siege warfare in the ANE. The people of besieged Jerusalem ate their children (cf. Lam. 2:20; 2 Kgs. 6:26-29; Jer. 19:9). This was part of YHWH's "cursing and blessing" predictions about disobedience to His covenant (cf. Lev. 26:29; Deut. 28:53-57).

▣ "compassionate women" This ADJECTIVE is found only here. This root is used of God in Lam. 3:22. These were not bad, mean mothers who ate their children, but starving mothers who could no longer nurse, thus the babies died.

▣ "food" The MT has הרב, which is a Piel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (BDB 136, KB 154). It means "devouring" and is found only here in Piel. Most English translations change this to the root תברו (BDB 136), which means "food" (cf. Ps. 69:21) and is found only there (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 739, "a food ration").

4:11 The PERFECT VERBS of lines a and b foreshadow Lam. 4:22a-b. YHWH did (1) fully punish and (2) not spare (cf. Lam. 2:2,12,21; Ezek. 7:2-9), but (3) His punishment was limited (cf. Lam. 3:31-33; Ps. 103:8-14).

▣ "fire" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE.

4:12 "inhabitants" This VERB (BDB 442, KB 444, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) means "to sit," "to remain," or "to dwell." Most translations choose the third option and translate "inhabitants," but because it can mean "to sit" (i.e., sit on a throne), it could mean "rulers," which parallels "kings" better (cf. AB, p. 82,76).

So the interpretive question, is verse 12

1. synonymous parallelism?
2. antithetical parallelism?

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW POETRY

▣ "the earth. . .the world" This is hyperbolic language for the surrounding nations of the ANE.

These two words also appear parallel in Jer. 10:12.

▣ "did not believe" This is the usual word for "faith", but here it denotes "considering something true" (cf. Ps. 116:10). The surrounding nations had heard Israel's/Judah's claim of Divine protection (cf. Deut. 23:14; Ps. 46:5; 48:3,4-8; Ezek. 43:7,9; Joel 2:27).

SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

4:13-16 These verses must be interpreted together because Lam. 4:13 starts with "because" and the PRONOUN "they" is ambiguous.

1. the sin and judgment of the religious leaders (i.e., priests and prophets, cf. Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:31; 6:13-15; 23:11-12; 26:7-15; Ezek. 22:26,28, TEV)
2. the judgment on the people of Judah because of the sins of the religious leaders (cf. Lam. 4:16)

4:13 "prophets" See SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT) and SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTASY (aphistēmi).

4:14 "They wandered, blind in the streets" This may reflect the "cursing" for disobedience in Deut. 28:28-29; Isa. 59:10; Zeph. 1:17.

4:15 There are several commands.

1. depart ‒ BDB 693, KB 747, Qal IMPERATIVE (three times)
2. do not touch ‒ BDB 619, KB 668, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

This imagery is connected to Lam. 4:14c. This is leper imagery (cf. Lev. 13:45). Their treatment of the poor and powerless in court had made them unclean like murderers (cf. Zeph. 3:1). These judged spiritual lepers fled and wandered among the surrounding nations but no one wanted them.

▣ "fled and wandered" The first VERB (BDB 663, KB 715, Qal PERFECT) occurs only here. The JPSOA takes it as another root for "wander." Most translations connect it to the root "plumage" (BDB 663), therefore, "fly."

The second VERB (BDB 631, KB 681, Qal PERFECT) in the Qal stem means "to totter" or "to faint." The Hiphil root can mean "to wander aimlessly" (cf. Num. 32:13; 2 Sam. 15:20; Ps. 59:11; 109:10).

4:16 This is either

1. a continuation of the bad treatment the Judean religious leaders experienced (cf. Lam. 4:16 c-d)
2. dealing with the exile of the entire nation of Judah (cf. Deut. 28:49-50)

▣ "the presence of the Lord" This is literally "the face of," which denotes the personal presence of YHWH (cf. Exod. 33:14,15; Lev. 20:3,6; 26:17; Deut. 4:37; Ps. 34:16; 80:16; Jer. 21:10; 44:11; Lam. 3:35; Ezek. 14:8), here for judgment (i.e., exile, lit. "scattered them," BDB 323, KB 322, Piel PERFECT).

The Targums (Aramaic translation and commentaries), which are nervous about anthropomorphisms, change "face" to "anger."

The MT has the VERB (BDB 323, KB 322, Piel PERFECT) which means "to divide" or "to apportion," like the Promised Land to the tribes (cf. Deut 4:19; Jos. 14:5; 22:9; Neh. 9:22), but it means "scatter." The LXX translation catches the meaning of the verbal root in "their portion." This, then, would be a way of asserting YHWH as Judah's covenant Deity. The rest of the verse would assert that YHWH showed no favoritism to the priests or elders ("lift the face" is an idiom of partiality). See The Interpreter's Bible, vol. 6, pp. 33-34.

The other way to interpret (Robert Gordis, p. 193) is to see Lam. 4:16 split, with lines a-b describing YHWH's disfavor of Judah but lines c-d referring to the invaders' lack of respect for Judah's leaders (i.e., priests and elders).

▣ "elders" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ELDER.

4:17 "a nation that could not save" This may refer to Isa. 36:6-10; Jeremiah 37; Ezekiel 29, where Egypt brought a temporary respite from the siege of Jerusalem.

4:18 This may refer to the breech of the city's defenses. Anyone in the street, in the general area of the breech, was slain as a possible combatant.

▣ "our days were finished" The VERB (BDB 569, KB 583, Qal PERFECT) means "to be full." This is an idiom for the end of life (cf. 2 Sam. 7:12; 1 Chr. 17:11).

4:19 "Our pursuers were swifter
   Than the eagles of the sky" This imagery of a fast moving Babylonian invading army is also found in Isa. 5:26-28; Jer. 4:13; 48:40; Ezek. 17:3; Hab. 1:8.

4:20 "the breath of our nostrils" This is imagery for the Davidic King Zedekiah, cf. 2 Kgs. 25:4-7; Jer. 39:4-7; 52:7-11). He was captured in the "wilderness" (cf. Lam. 4:19d).

For "breath" (ruah, BDB 924) see SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE.

▣ "the Lord's anointed" This is the Judean Davidic King, Zedekiah.

SPECIAL TOPIC: "ANOINTING" IN THE BIBLE

▣ "pits" This NOUN (BDB 1605) occurs only here and Ps. 107:20, where it is translated by NASB as "destruction."

The VERB "captured" (BDB 539, KB 530, Niphal PERFECT) is often used of animal traps.

▣ "under his shadow" This imagery is often used of YHWH, but here it is parallel to "the Lord's anointed," which refers to Zedekiah. He was to be the protector of God's people (see similar imagery for Nebuchadnezzar in Dan. 4:12).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADOW AS A METAPHOR FOR PROTECTION AND CARE

4:21 Notice the two Qal IMPERATIVES "rejoice" and "be glad," which are used sarcastically because Edom is about to be judged for participating in the invasion and looting of Judea (cf. Ps. 137:7; Ezekiel 25; Obad. vv. 10-15).

SPECIAL TOPIC: EDOM AND ISRAEL

▣ "the cup" This is an idiom of judgment (cf. Ps. 75:8; Isa. 51:17,22; Jer. 25:15-16,27-28; Ezek. 23:31-34).

For the positive usage, see notes on Ps. 11:6 online.

Often "the cup" is associated with drunkenness and folly (here, "nakedness," cf. Lam. 4:22d).

▣ "drunk" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ALCOHOL ‒ ALCOHOLISM.

4:22a-b What great news! Judah's punishment is complete and its consequences are coming to an end (cf. Isa. 40:1-2; Jer. 16:14-15; 33:7-8)!

This is another contrast, so common in this lament.

▣ "He will punish your iniquity. . ." See Jeremiah 49:7-22.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. What or who are the sacred stones?
2. Explain Lam. 4:6 in your own words.
3. Is Lam. 4:12 hyperbolic or proverbial?
4. Who does this lament say is responsible for Judah's fall?
5. About whom is Lam. 4:15 talking?
6. Who is the "He" and "they" of Lam. 4:16?
7. To what nation is Lam. 4:17 referring?
8. To whom is Lam. 4:20 referring?
9. Why is Lam 4:22a-b so theologically significant?

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