Lamentations 4:15 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 4:13-20

We have here, I. The sins they were charged with, for which God brought this destruction upon them, and which served to justify God in it (Lam. 4:13, 14): It is for the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests. Not that the people were innocent; no, they loved to have it so (Jer. 5:31), and it was to please them that the prophets and priests did as they did; but the fault is chiefly laid upon them, who should have taught them better, should have reproved and admonished them, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 4:15

They cried unto them, depart ye, it is unclean ,.... Or, O ye "unclean" F5 טמא "immunde", Montanus; "immundi", Strigelius. "gens polluta", Vatablus; "discedite polluti", Gataker. ; that is, the people said so to the priests, being polluted with blood; they abhorred them, did not care they should come nigh them, but bid them keep at distance; they that cleansed others of leprosy were treated as leprous persons themselves, and proclaimed unclean, and shunned as such: and, to show... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 4:15

When they fled away - These priests and prophets were so bad, that the very heathen did not like to permit them to sojourn among them. The prophet now resumes the history of the siege. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 4:15

Verse 15 The Prophet confirms the former verse, as I have said, even that no part of the city was free from filth, because they cried everywhere, “Depart, depart — unclean!” That what is said may be more evident to us, we must notice that the Prophet alludes (which also has not been perceived) to Leviticus 13:45. For it is said there of the lepers, whose disease was incurable, that they were to go with rent garments, with a bare head, with covered lips, and cry, “Unclean, unclean, טמא טמא יקרא... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 4:15

They cried unto them, etc. As they leave the city they are pursued by the maledictions of those whom they have oppressed. It is unclean . The cry with which the leper was directed to warn off passengers, lest they should become infected (Le 13:45). There may be an allusion to this, but, though commonly accepted, the view is not certain, as the" leper" in the present case is not the person who raises the cry, but those who meet him. When they fled away and wandered. The clause is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 4:15

Contamination. So horrible is the condition of Jerusalem after the siege that men regard the holy city as an unclean place, like a haunt of lepers or an abode of. the dead. They cry, "Go aside! Unclean! Go aside! go aside!" as they would to one who incautiously approached too near to one of these banned spots. The dread of contamination is a natural testimony to the instinct for purity; but it is often sadly perverted, for while no feeling should be more related to truth and fact, it... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 4:15

Men cried to these priests, “Away! Unclean! Away! Away! Touch not.” “Unclean” was the cry of the leper whenever he appeared in public: here it is the warning shout of those who meet the murderers.When they fled away and wandered - These priests fled away from the city, but with uncertain steps, not knowing where to find refuge. They find themselves abhorred abroad as well as at home.It is quite possible that this verse records a real occurrence, if not during the siege, at all events during the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Lamentations 4:14-16

Lamentations 4:14-16. They have wandered as blind men in the streets They strayed from the paths of righteousness, and were blind to every thing that was good, but to do evil they were quick-sighted; they have polluted themselves with blood The blood of the saints and servants of the Lord; so that men could not touch their garments But they would be legally polluted; and there were so many of them, that a man could not walk in the streets but he must touch some of them. They cried... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Lamentations 4:15

Depart ye, &c. Reference to Pentateuch ( Lev 18:46 ). heathen = nations. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 4:13-20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 4:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 4:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 4:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 4:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 4:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 4:15

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Lamentations 4:14-16

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Lamentations 4:1-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Lamentations 4:15

Group of Brands