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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Lamentations 4:20 The LORD's anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, "Under his shadow we will live among the nations."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/4-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/25_Lam_04_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 4:20 - The Distress of Zion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The LORD's anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, Under his shadow we will live among the nations." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/lamentations/4-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/lamentations/4-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/lamentations/">Lamentations</a> > <a href="/lamentations/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm" title="Lamentations 4:19">◄</a> Lamentations 4:20 <a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm" title="Lamentations 4:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/lamentations/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/lamentations/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The LORD&#8217s anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps. We thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Our king—the LORD’s anointed, the very life of our nation— was caught in their snares. We had thought that his shadow would protect us against any nation on earth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the LORD’s anointed, was captured in their pits, of whom we said, “Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, Was caught in their pits, Of whom we said, “Under his shadow We shall live among the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the LORD’S anointed, Was captured in their pits, Of whom we had said, “In his shadow We shall live among the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the LORD&#8217S anointed, Was captured in their pits, Of whom we had said, &#8220Under his shadow We shall live among the nations.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Yahweh, Was captured in their pits, Of whom we had said, “Under his shadow We shall live among the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD [our king], Was captured in their snares, He of whom we had said, “Under his shadow We shall live among the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their traps. We had said about him, “We will live under his protection among the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD&#8217s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their traps. We had said about him,&#8221 We will live under his protection among the nations.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits; Of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD's chosen leader was our hope for survival! We thought he would keep us safe somewhere among the nations, but even he was caught in one of their traps. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits; of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The person the LORD anointed [as king], who is the breath of our life, was caught in their pits. We had thought that we would live in our king's shadow among the nations."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They captured the source of our life, the king the LORD had chosen, the one we had trusted to protect us from every invader. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD's anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. About him we had said, "Under his protection we will survive among the nations."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits; of whom we said, "Under his shadow we can live among the nations."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Yahweh, was taken in their pits; of whom we said, under his shadow we will live among the nations. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils—the anointed of YHWH, "" Has been captured in their pits, of whom we said: “We live among nations in his shadow.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The breath of our nostrils -- the anointed of Jehovah, Hath been captured in their pits, of whom we said: 'In his shadow we do live among nations.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The spirit of our nostrils, the Messiah of Jehovah was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Res. The breath of our mouth, Christ the Lord, is taken in our sins: to whom we said: Under thy shadow we shall live among the Gentiles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />RES. The spirit of our mouth, Christ the Lord, has been captured by our sins; to him, we said, “In your shadow, we will live among the Gentiles.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The LORD’s anointed—our very lifebreath!— was caught in their snares, He in whose shade we thought to live among the nations. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was taken in their pits— the one of whom we said, “Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Our very spirit, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we had said, Under his shadow we shall live among the Gentiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Resh The Spirit of our nostrils, The Messiah of LORD JEHOVAH, was seized in their pits, he of whom they were saying: “In his shade we shall live among the nations!” <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, Was taken in their pits; Of whom we said: 'Under his shadow We shall live among the nations.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />RECHS. The breath of our nostrils, <i>our</i> anointed Lord, was taken in their destructive snares, of whom we said, In his shadow we shall live among the Gentiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/4-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rKrWuOkEqzQ?start=1272" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/4.htm">The Distress of Zion</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">The LORD’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/4899.htm" title="4899: mə·šî·aḥ (Adj-msc) -- Anointed. From mashach; anointed; usually a consecrated person; specifically, the Messiah.">anointed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-csc) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">the breath</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap·pê·nū (N-mdc:: 1cp) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">of our life,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3920.htm" title="3920: nil·kaḏ (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To capture, seize, take. A primitive root; to catch; generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose; figuratively, to cohere.">was captured</a> <a href="/hebrew/7825.htm" title="7825: biš·ḥî·ṯō·w·ṯām (Prep-b:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A pit. From shachah; a pit-fall.">in their pits.</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">We had said</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">of him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6738.htm" title="6738: bə·ṣil·lōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- A shadow. From tsalal; shade, whether literal or figurative.">“Under his shadow</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: niḥ·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">we will live</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: ḇag·gō·w·yim (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">among the nations.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>So rejoice and be glad, O Daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz. Yet the cup will pass to you as well; you will get drunk and expose yourself.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/39-5.htm">Jeremiah 39:5-7</a></span><br />But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him. / There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah. / Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-4.htm">2 Kings 25:4-7</a></span><br />Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, / but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him. / The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment on him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/52-8.htm">Jeremiah 52:8-11</a></span><br />but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him. / The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on Zedekiah. / There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the officials of Judah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-17.htm">2 Chronicles 36:17-20</a></span><br />So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, / who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials. / Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-12.htm">Ezekiel 12:12-13</a></span><br />And at dusk the prince among them will lift his bags to his shoulder and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land. / But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-18.htm">Jeremiah 22:18-19</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: “They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’ They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’ / He will be buried like a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/37-17.htm">Jeremiah 37:17-21</a></span><br />Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” / Then Jeremiah asked King Zedekiah, “How have I sinned against you or your servants or these people, that you have put me in prison? / Where are your prophets who prophesied to you, claiming, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you or this land’? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/38-14.htm">Jeremiah 38:14-28</a></span><br />Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. “I am going to ask you something,” said the king to Jeremiah. “Do not hide anything from me.” / “If I tell you,” Jeremiah replied, “you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.” / But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-2.htm">Isaiah 32:2</a></span><br />Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/91-1.htm">Psalm 91:1-2</a></span><br />He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. / I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Jeremiah 23:5-6</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-2.htm">Isaiah 53:2-3</a></span><br />He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. / He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-42.htm">Matthew 21:42</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-15.htm">John 19:15</a></span><br />At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a></span><br />As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.</p><p class="hdg">breath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/2-9.htm">Lamentations 2:9</a></b></br> Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes <i>are</i> among the Gentiles: the law <i>is</i> no <i>more</i>; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a></b></br> And the LORD God formed man <i>of</i> the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/44-30.htm">Genesis 44:30</a></b></br> Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad <i>be</i> not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;</p><p class="hdg">the anointed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm">1 Samuel 12:3,5</a></b></br> Behold, here I <i>am</i>: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received <i>any</i> bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/16-6.htm">1 Samuel 16:6</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed <i>is</i> before him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">1 Samuel 24:6,10</a></b></br> And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he <i>is</i> the anointed of the LORD… </p><p class="hdg">was taken</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/39-5.htm">Jeremiah 39:5</a></b></br> But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/52-8.htm">Jeremiah 52:8</a></b></br> But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/12-13.htm">Ezekiel 12:13</a></b></br> My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon <i>to</i> the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Anointed</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-19.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-9.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-41.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-15.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-7.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-62.htm">Live</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-15.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-5.htm">Nostrils</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-8.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Pits</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-45.htm">Shade</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-45.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-54.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Traps</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/16-9.htm">Anointed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-20.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-4.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-13.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-24.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-24.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm">Live</a> <a href="/ezekiel/2-3.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/ezekiel/38-18.htm">Nostrils</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-9.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-9.htm">Pits</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-23.htm">Shade</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-23.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-32.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">Traps</a><div class="vheading2">Lamentations 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/4-1.htm">Zion bewails her pitiful estate</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/4-13.htm">She confesses her sins</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm">Edom is threatened and Zion comforted.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the Old Testament, kings were anointed with oil as a sign of their divine appointment (<a href="/1_samuel/10.htm">1 Samuel 10:1</a>). The term "anointed" also has messianic implications, pointing to the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ, who fulfills the role of the perfect king and priest (<a href="/psalms/2-2.htm">Psalm 2:2</a>, <a href="/acts/4-26.htm">Acts 4:26-27</a>).<p><b>The breath of our life</b><br>This expression highlights the vital role of the king in the life of the nation. The king was seen as a source of protection and stability, much like breath is essential for life. In a broader theological sense, it can also be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, who is the true source of life for believers (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>, <a href="/colossians/3-4.htm">Colossians 3:4</a>).<p><b>Was captured in their pits</b><br>This refers to the capture of King Zedekiah by the Babylonians, as recorded in <a href="/2_kings/25-4.htm">2 Kings 25:4-7</a>. The "pits" symbolize the traps and snares set by the enemy, leading to the downfall of the king and the nation. Historically, this event marked the end of the Davidic reign in Jerusalem until the coming of Christ, the eternal King (<a href="/jeremiah/52-8.htm">Jeremiah 52:8-11</a>).<p><b>We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”</b><br>This reflects the hope and expectation that the people of Judah had placed in their king for protection and survival. The "shadow" signifies a place of refuge and safety, akin to the imagery found in <a href="/psalms/91.htm">Psalm 91:1</a>. However, this hope was misplaced in a human king, pointing to the need for a greater fulfillment in Christ, who provides true and eternal refuge (<a href="/isaiah/32-2.htm">Isaiah 32:2</a>, <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord's_anointed.htm">The LORD's Anointed</a></b><br>This refers to the king of Judah, likely King Zedekiah, who was considered God's chosen leader for the people. His capture symbolizes the loss of divine protection and leadership.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_breath_of_our_nostrils.htm">The Breath of Our Nostrils</a></b><br>This metaphor emphasizes the king's vital role in the life and survival of the nation, akin to the air they breathe.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/captured_in_their_pits.htm">Captured in Their Pits</a></b><br>This phrase describes the capture and humiliation of the king by the Babylonians, leading to the fall of Jerusalem.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nations.htm">The Nations</a></b><br>Refers to the surrounding nations among whom the Israelites hoped to find refuge and survival under the king's leadership.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem's_fall.htm">Jerusalem's Fall</a></b><br>The broader context of Lamentations is the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, a pivotal event in Jewish history.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fragility_of_human_leadership.htm">The Fragility of Human Leadership</a></b><br>Human leaders, even those anointed by God, are fallible and can fail. Our ultimate trust should be in God, not in human institutions or leaders.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The capture of the king and the fall of Jerusalem serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>Despite the calamity, God remains sovereign. His judgments are just, and His plans are ultimately for the good of His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_ultimate_deliverance.htm">Hope in God's Ultimate Deliverance</a></b><br>While earthly leaders may fail, God's promise of a future Messiah, the ultimate Anointed One, offers hope and redemption.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_leadership.htm">Community and Leadership</a></b><br>The well-being of a community is often tied to its leadership. Praying for and supporting godly leaders is crucial for the health of a nation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_lamentations_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'breath_of_our_nostrils'_idolatry.htm">(Lamentations 4:20) Does calling the king “the breath of our nostrils” suggest a form of idolatry contrary to strict monotheism elsewhere in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'root_of_jesse'_mean.htm">What does 'life is a vapor' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_critics_explain_david's_lament.htm">2 Samuel 1:26: How do critics reconcile David's intense lament for Jonathan with cultural norms of warfare and rivalry at the time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/compare_psalm_131's_humility_to_vengeful_god..htm">How does the humble tone in Psalm 131 compare to other passages that depict a vengeful or warlike God (e.g., Deuteronomy 20)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/lamentations/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">The breath of our nostrils.</span>--The "breath of life" of <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm" title="And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.">Genesis 2:7</a>. The phrase emphasises the ideal character of the king as the centre of the nation's life. So Seneca (<span class= "ital">Clement. </span>i. 4) speaks of a ruler as the <span class= "ital">spiritus vitalis </span>of his people.<p><span class= "bld">Of whom we said.--</span>The words that follow point to the scheme which was rendered abortive by Zedekiah's capture. Those who followed him had hoped to find a refuge among some friendly neighbouring nation, where they might at least have maintained the continuity of their national existence, and waited for better days.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The breath of our nostrils.</span> The theocratic king was the direct representative of the people with Jehovah, and to him the promises of <a href="/2_samuel/7.htm">2 Samuel 7</a>. were conveyed. He was also, in a sense, the representative of Jehovah with the people. His throne was "the throne of Jehovah" (<a href="/1_chronicles/29-23.htm">1 Chronicles 29:23</a>). A similar conception of the king was generally prevalent in antiquity. Most of all among the Egyptians; but, even in imperial Rome, we find Seneca ('De Clementia,' 1:4, quoted by Archbishop Seeker, in Blayney) declaring, "Ille (Princeps) est spiritus vitalis, quem haec tot millia (civium) trahunt." For the Jewish, or Old Testament, conception, see <a href="/psalms/28-8.htm">Psalm 28:8</a>, where (as the Septuagint shows) "his people" and "his anointed" are used almost synonymously. <span class="cmt_word">Was taken in their pits.</span> A figure from hunting (comp. <a href="/lamentations/1-13.htm">Lamentations 1:13</a>; <a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Psalm 7:15</a>). The fate of Zedekiah is referred to. <span class="cmt_word">Among the heathen;</span> better, <span class="accented">among the nations.</span> The rendering of the Authorized Version suggests that the Jews hoped to preserve at least a qualified independence under their own king, even after their captivity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/4-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The LORD’s</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anointed,</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשִׁ֣יחַ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·šî·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4899.htm">Strong's 4899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Anointed, a consecrated person, the Messiah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the breath</span><br /><span class="heb">ר֤וּחַ</span> <span class="translit">(rū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of our life,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַפֵּ֙ינוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ap·pê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - mdc | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was captured</span><br /><span class="heb">נִלְכַּ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(nil·kaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3920.htm">Strong's 3920: </a> </span><span class="str2">To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in their pits.</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּשְׁחִיתוֹתָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(biš·ḥî·ṯō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7825.htm">Strong's 7825: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pit-fall</span><br /><br /><span class="word">We had said</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֔רְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of him,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Under his shadow</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּצִלּ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṣil·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6738.htm">Strong's 6738: </a> </span><span class="str2">A shadow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we will live</span><br /><span class="heb">נִֽחְיֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(niḥ·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among the nations.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בַגּוֹיִֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇag·gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/4-20.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 4:20 The breath of our nostrils the anointed (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 4:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 4:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>