This chapter, like Lamentations 1:0 and Lamentations 2:0 , is an acrostic: the twenty-two verses commencing successively with the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. gold . . . most fine gold . . . fine gold. Figure of speech Anabasis , which is lost in Authorized Version rendering, which should be "gold . . . fine gold . . . pure gold". read more
A LAMENT OVER WHAT HAPPENED TO JERUSALEM DURING THE TERRIBLE FAMINE SIEGE AND FAMINELamentations 4:1-10"How is the gold become dim!How is the most pure gold changed!The stones of the sanctuary are poured outat the head of every street.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 jackals draw out the breast,they give suck to their young ones:The daughter of my people is become cruel,like the ostriches in... read more
Lamentations 4:1. How is the gold become dim! &c.— "How is the glory of the temple obscured! The sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold, now lies in the ruins." Some think that the prophet here alludes to the princes and chief persons of the country. See the next verse, and Psalms 119:83. read more
1. gold—the splendid adornment of the temple [CALVIN] (Lamentations 1:10; 1 Kings 6:22; Jeremiah 52:19); or, the principal men of Judea [GROTIUS] (Lamentations 4:2). stones of . . . sanctuary—the gems on the breastplate of the high priest; or, metaphorically, the priests and Levites. Beth. read more
This lament resumes the characteristic "How" introduction (cf. Lamentations 1:1; Lamentations 2:1). The gold and precious stones that had decorated the temple no longer served that function. Jeremiah compared the precious inhabitants of Jerusalem (cf. Exodus 19:5-6) to gold and gems. They now lay in the streets of the city defiled and dead."For those who esteemed themselves as high-quality gold, the kind of experience which reduced them to the level of base metal in the opinion of their enemies... read more
1. The first description of siege conditions 4:1-6 read more
A. Conditions during the siege 4:1-11This section of the poem consists of two parallel parts (Lamentations 4:1-11). The Judahites had become despised (Lamentations 4:1-2; Lamentations 4:7-8), and both children and adults (everyone) suffered (Lamentations 4:3-5; Lamentations 4:9-10). This calamity was the result of Yahweh’s punishment for sin (Lamentations 4:6; Lamentations 4:11). read more
Zion’s former Glory contrasted with her present HumiliationIn this fourth dirge the poet describes the miseries of the various classes in the sack of Jerusalem, concluding with a warning to Edom. In structure, each alphabetic v. is composed of two rather than of three sub-divisions, the ideas and phrases balancing as in ordinary Hebrew poetry. This is considered the finest poetry of the book. The mourner speaks throughout.1-10. The terrible distress of the people and nobles.1. How is the gold... read more
IV.(1) How is the gold . . .—The chapter, considered as a distinct poem, reproduces in its general character that of Lamentations 1:2, differing from them, however, in tracing more fully the connection between the sufferings and the sins of Judah. The “gold” and the stones of holiness are none other than the material treasures of palace or temple, and the repetition of the phrase “in the top of every street,” used in Lamentations 2:19 of children, seems intended to indicate that the words... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Lamentations 4:1-22
Corrupt leaders disgraced (4:1-22)Jerusalem’s former glory is contrasted with her present ruin. The once glorious temple, now defiled and shattered, is symbolic of the once glorious people now shamed and broken. Jerusalem’s dead lie in the streets like pieces of broken pottery (4:1-2). The writer recalls again the scene of horror during the siege. Wild beasts provide food for their young, but in Jerusalem mothers are unable to provide food for their children. Rich nobles die on the streets like... read more