Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Lamentations 4:2–9

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!
Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.
They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.
For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:
Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.
They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

8 selected · 2 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

39 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. Isaiah 30:14Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    14And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

  2. Jeremiah 19:11Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    11And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.

  3. Romans 9:21–23Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

    22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

    23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

  4. 2 Timothy 2:20Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

  5. 2 Corinthians 4:7Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

From verse 3

  1. Ezekiel 5:10Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    10Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.

  2. Luke 23:28–29Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    28But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

    29For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

  3. Lamentations 2:20Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    20¶ Behold, O Lord, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?

  4. Lamentations 4:10Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    10The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

  5. 2 Kings 6:26–29Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    26And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.

    27And he said, If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?

    28And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.

    29So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

From verse 4

  1. Psalms 22:15Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

  2. Lamentations 2:11–12Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    11Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.

    12They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers’ bosom.

  3. Psalms 137:6Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    6If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

  4. Deuteronomy 32:24Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    24They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

  5. Lamentations 1:11Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    11All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O Lord, and consider; for I am become vile.

From verse 5

  1. Luke 16:19Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    19¶ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

  2. Amos 6:3–7Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    3Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;

    4That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

    5That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;

    6That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

    7¶ Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.

  3. Luke 15:16Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

  4. Proverbs 31:21Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

  5. 1 Timothy 5:6Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

From verse 6

  1. Genesis 19:25Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    25And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

  2. Isaiah 1:9–10Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    9Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

    10¶ Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

  3. Luke 10:12Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    12But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

  4. Luke 12:47Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    47And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

  5. Matthew 24:21Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

From verse 7

  1. Psalms 51:7Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

  2. Psalms 144:12Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    12That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:

  3. Song of Solomon 5:10Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    10My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

  4. 1 Samuel 16:12Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

  5. Amos 2:11–12Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    11And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the Lord.

    12But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

From verse 8

  1. Lamentations 5:10Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    10Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.

  2. Job 30:30Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    30My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.

  3. Psalms 102:3–5Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    3For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

    4My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.

    5By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.

  4. Job 19:20Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    20My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.

  5. Psalms 119:83Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

From verse 9

  1. Ezekiel 24:23Rank 1 from verse 9
    Open

    23And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.

  2. Jeremiah 16:4Rank 2 from verse 9
    Open

    4They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

  3. Leviticus 26:39Rank 3 from verse 9
    Open

    39And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.

  4. Ezekiel 33:10Rank 4 from verse 9
    Open

    10Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Lamentations 4:2

COMBINED MEANING

fine

↗

1. Of cloth or workmanship, delicate or finely made. 2. Of flour or meal, finely ground or prepared. 3. Of gold or other metal, pure, refined, or of high quality. 4. As a verb, to refine or purify metal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

esteemed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of esteem, meaning to value, regard, or judge.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

work

↗

Sense 1: Labour, occupation, an assigned task, or service. Sense 2: An action, deed, operation, effect, product, thing made, or manner of workmanship. Sense 3: To labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Lamentations 4:3

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sea

↗

1. A great body or expanse of gathered waters, including a named sea or lake, in which ships and creatures move. 2. The large brazen or molten basin made for the temple and called a sea. 3. Something represented or compared as a sea.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

draw

↗

1. To pull or drag. 2. To bring, lead, or attract. 3. To take out or extract. 4. To make a line.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

young

↗

1. Early in life or growth. 2. Offspring or young persons or creatures.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cruel

↗

Disposed to inflict pain or suffering; without pity or compassion; fierce or severe.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

like

↗

Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wilderness

↗

Uncultivated, desolate, sparsely inhabited, or uninhabited land; a desert, wild country, or solitary region.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Lamentations 4:4

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

child

↗

1. A son or daughter; an offspring or descendant. 2. A young person or infant, considered by age or development. 3. In 'with child,' pregnant or carrying an unborn child. 4. One described as belonging to, derived from, characterized by, or dependent upon another person, group, or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thirst

↗

Sense 1: A strong need or desire for drink; by figure, an intense desire for something. Sense 2: To feel thirst; by figure, to desire intensely.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

young

↗

1. Early in life or growth. 2. Offspring or young persons or creatures.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Lamentations 4:5

COMBINED MEANING

feed

↗

Sense 1: To give or take food; to nourish, tend, or graze. Sense 2: Food for animals.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

desolate

↗

1. Of a place or land, left empty, uninhabited, waste, ruined, barren, or without former use and fruitfulness. 2. Of a person or people, bereft, forsaken, solitary, or left without help, comfort, family, or support. 3. As a verb, to make empty, waste, ruined, or bereft.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

scarlet

↗

Sense 1: A bright red colour. Sense 2: Dye, thread, cloth, or a garment of that colour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Lamentations 4:6

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

iniquity

↗

Wickedness, unrighteousness, transgression, or sin; the guilt or burden of such wrongdoing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sin

↗

1. Wrongdoing against God and his law; transgression or unrighteousness. 2. The guilt or burden of such wrongdoing, or the inward principle so named. 3. As a verb, to commit such wrongdoing.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Sodom

↗

The city of Sodom near the Dead Sea, destroyed in the judgment recorded in Genesis.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

moment

↗

A very short portion of time; an instant.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

stayed

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of stay. Sense 1: Remained, waited, stopped, or delayed. Sense 2: Supported, sustained, relied, or rested upon. Sense 3: Restrained or held back.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Lamentations 4:7

COMBINED MEANING

snow

↗

Frozen white precipitation falling from clouds and covering the earth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ruddy

↗

Of a red color; of a lively flesh color, or the color of the human skin in high health.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

body

↗

Sense 1: The material frame of a person or creature. Sense 2: A visible form, mass, or main substance. Sense 3: A unified whole or company composed of members. Sense 4: Substantial reality distinguished from a shadow.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Lamentations 4:8

COMBINED MEANING

coal

↗

A piece of wood, or other combustible substance, ignited, burning, or charred.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

skin

↗

Sense 1: The natural outer covering of a person or animal; the hide or exterior covering. Sense 2: To strip off the skin or hide.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

withered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of wither, meaning to dry up, fade, lose freshness or strength, or waste away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

like

↗

Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

stick

↗

Sense 1: As a noun, a cut branch, rod, or slender piece of wood. Sense 2: As a verb, to adhere, remain fast, project, or be fixed in or upon something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Lamentations 4:9

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hunger

↗

Sense 1: The bodily craving or need for food. Sense 2: As a verb, to feel that need or earnestly desire.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pine

↗

1. A pine tree. 2. To waste, languish, or decline in strength or life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

stricken

↗

Sense 1: Struck, smitten, pierced, afflicted, or visited with a blow or calamity. Sense 2: In the expression stricken in age or years, advanced and far gone in age.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

want

↗

Absence, lack, need, poverty, or insufficiency of what is required; to lack, be without, need, or come short of it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

fruits

↗

Sense 1: The produce of a plant; offspring. Sense 2: The result and effect of conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

1HOW is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.

2The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

Selected passage

3Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

Selected passage

4The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.

Selected passage

5They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

Selected passage

6For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

Selected passage

7Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:

Selected passage

8Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

Selected passage

9They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

Selected passage

10The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.