Thematic Bible
Lamentations 4:1 (show verse)
(Alef)Alas! Gold has lost its luster; pure gold loses value. Jewels are scattered on every street corner.
Lamentations 4:2 (show verse)
(Bet) The precious sons of Zion were worth their weight in gold -- Alas! -- but now they are treated like broken clay pots, made by a potter.
Lamentations 4:3 (show verse)
(Gimel) Even the jackals nurse their young at their breast, but my people are cruel, like ostriches in the desert.
Lamentations 4:4 (show verse)
(Dalet) The infant's tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth due to thirst; little children beg for bread, but no one gives them even a morsel.
Lamentations 4:5 (show verse)
(He) Those who once feasted on delicacies are now starving to death in the streets. Those who grew up wearing expensive clothes are now dying amid garbage.
Lamentations 4:6 (show verse)
(Vav) The punishment of my people exceeded that of of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment with no one to help her.
Lamentations 4:7 (show verse)
(Zayin) Her consecrated ones were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies more ruddy than corals, their hair like lapis lazuli.
Asceticism » Practised by the nazarites
Famine » Described
Fraternity » Instances of » The nazarites, vows of
Milk » An animal secretion, of a white color
Nazarite » Character of
Nazarites » Esteemed pure
Precious stones » Mentioned in scripture » Ruby
Snow » A symbol of whiteness
Snow » Figurative » Of purity
Famine » Described
Fraternity » Instances of » The nazarites, vows of
Milk » An animal secretion, of a white color
Nazarite » Character of
Nazarites » Esteemed pure
Precious stones » Mentioned in scripture » Ruby
Snow » A symbol of whiteness
Snow » Figurative » Of purity
Lamentations 4:8 (show verse)
(Khet) Now their appearance is darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it is dried up, like tree bark.
Lamentations 4:9 (show verse)
(Tet) Those who died by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, those who waste away, struck down from lack of food.
Lamentations 4:10 (show verse)
(Yod) The hands of tenderhearted women cooked their own children, who became their food, when my people were destroyed.
Lamentations 4:11 (show verse)
(Kaf) The Lord fully vented his wrath; he poured out his fierce anger. He started a fire in Zion; it consumed her foundations.
No Themes for this verse.
Lamentations 4:12 (show verse)
(Lamed) Neither the kings of the earth nor the people of the lands ever thought that enemy or foe would enter the gates of Jerusalem.
No Themes for this verse.
Lamentations 4:13 (show verse)
(Mem) But it happened due to the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who poured out in her midst the blood of the righteous.
Lamentations 4:14 (show verse)
(Nun) They wander blindly through the streets, defiled by the blood they shed, while no one dares to touch their garments.
Lamentations 4:15 (show verse)
(Samek) People cry to them, "Turn away! You are unclean! Turn away! Turn away! Don't touch us!" So they have fled and wander about; but the nations say, "They may not stay here any longer."
No Themes for this verse.
Lamentations 4:16 (show verse)
(Pe) The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. They did not honor the priests; they did not show favor to the elders.
No Themes for this verse.
Lamentations 4:17 (show verse)
(Ayin) Our eyes continually failed us as we looked in vain for help. From our watchtowers we watched for a nation that could not rescue us.
Lamentations 4:18 (show verse)
(Tsade) Our enemies hunted us down at every step so that we could not walk about in our streets. Our end drew near, our days were numbered, for our end had come!
No Themes for this verse.
Lamentations 4:19 (show verse)
(Qof) Those who pursued us were swifter than eagles in the sky. They chased us over the mountains; they ambushed us in the wilderness.
Lamentations 4:20 (show verse)
(Resh) Our very life breath -- the Lord's anointed king -- was caught in their traps, of whom we thought, "Under his protection we will survive among the nations."
No Themes for this verse.
Lamentations 4:21 (show verse)
(Sin/Shin) Rejoice and be glad for now, O people of Edom, who reside in the land of Uz. But the cup of judgment will pass to you also; you will get drunk and take off your clothes.
Lamentations 4:22 (show verse)
(Tav) O people of Zion, your punishment will come to an end; he will not prolong your exile. But, O people of Edom, he will punish your sin and reveal your offenses!
No Themes for this verse.