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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 4:9 Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/4-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/25_Lam_04_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 4:9 - The Distress of Zion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce." /><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><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/4-9.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/4-9.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 9</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="/ad9.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/4-8.htm" title="Lamentations 4:8">◄</a> Lamentations 4:9 <a href="/lamentations/4-10.htm" title="Lamentations 4:10">►</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 />Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine; racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of food from the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger. Starving, they waste away for lack of food from the fields.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Happier were the victims of the sword than the victims of hunger, who wasted away, pierced by lack of the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>They that be</i> slain with the sword are better than <i>they that be</i> slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for <i>want of</i> the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>Those</i> slain by the sword are better off Than <i>those</i> who die of hunger; For these pine away, Stricken <i>for lack</i> of the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better <i>off</i> are those killed by the sword Than those killed by hunger; For they waste away, stricken By the lack of the produce of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Better are those slain with the sword Than those slain with hunger; For they pine away, being stricken For lack of the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Better are those slain with the sword Than those slain with hunger; For they pine away, being stricken For lack of the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Better are those pierced through with the sword Than those pierced through with hunger; For their <i>life</i> flows away, being stricken For lack of the produce of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Those killed with the sword Are more fortunate than those killed with hunger; For the hungry pine <i>and</i> ebb away, For the lack of the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those slain by the sword are better off than those slain by hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those slain by the sword are better off than those slain by hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Being killed with a sword is better than slowly starving to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Those who were killed with swords are better off than those who are dying from starvation. Those who were stabbed bled to death. The others are dying because there is nothing in the fields to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Those who died in the war were better off than those who died later, who starved slowly to death, with no food to keep them alive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Those who die by the sword are better off than those who die from starvation, who slowly waste away like those pierced through for lack of food from the fields.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger; those who waste away, pierced through, for lack of the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through, for lack of the fruits of the field. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Better have been the pierced of a sword "" Than the pierced of famine, "" For these flow away, pierced through, "" Without the increase of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Better have been the pierced of a sword Than the pierced of famine, For these flow away, pierced through, Without the increase of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Those wounded by the sword were good above those wounded by famine: these will flow away, being thrust through from the produce of the field.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Teth. It was better with them that were slain by the sword, than with them that died with hunger: for these pined away being consumed for want of the fruits of the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />TETH. It was better for those slain by the sword, than for those put to death by famine. For these waste away, being consumed by the sterility of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Better for those pierced by the sword than for those pierced by hunger, Better for those who bleed from wounds than for those who lack food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Happier were those pierced by the sword than those pierced by hunger, whose life drains away, deprived of the produce of the field.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Those who were slain by the sword are better than those who are slain with hunger; for these pine away, like those who are wounded and thrown in the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Teth The slain of the sword are better than those killed by famine, for they waste away like those who are wounded and are thrown out in a field<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They that are slain with the sword are better Than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, For want of the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />TETH. The slain with the sword were better than they that were slain with hunger: they have departed, pierced through from <i>want of</i> the fruits of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/4-9.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=1152" 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">8</span>But now their appearance is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2491.htm" title="2491: ḥal·lê- (N-mpc) -- Pierced, polluted. From chalal; pierced; figuratively, polluted.">Those slain</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥe·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">by the sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">are</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·w·ḇîm (Adj-mp) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">better off</a> <a href="/hebrew/2491.htm" title="2491: mê·ḥal·lê (Prep-m:: N-mpc) -- Pierced, polluted. From chalal; pierced; figuratively, polluted.">than those who die</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: rā·‘āḇ (N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">of hunger,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: še·hêm (Pro-r:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/2100.htm" title="2100: yā·zū·ḇū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To flow, gush. A primitive root; to flow freely, i.e. to have a flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow.">waste away,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1856.htm" title="1856: mə·ḏuq·qā·rîm (V-Pual-Prtcpl-mp) -- To pierce, pierce through. A primitive root; to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile.">pierced with pain</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: śā·ḏāy (N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">because the fields</a> <a href="/hebrew/8570.htm" title="8570: mit·tə·nū·ḇōṯ (Prep-m:: N-fpc) -- Fruit, produce. From nuwb; produce.">lack produce.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.…<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="/deuteronomy/28-53.htm">Deuteronomy 28:53-57</a></span><br />Then you will eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you. / The most gentle and refined man among you will begrudge his brother, the wife he embraces, and the rest of his children who have survived, / refusing to share with any of them the flesh of his children he will eat because he has nothing left in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you within all your gates. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Jeremiah 19:9</a></span><br />I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh in the siege and distress inflicted on them by their enemies who seek their lives.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/5-10.htm">Ezekiel 5:10</a></span><br />As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your remnant to every wind.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-28.htm">2 Kings 6:28-29</a></span><br />Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’ / So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-29.htm">Leviticus 26:29</a></span><br />You will eat the flesh of your own sons and daughters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-18.htm">Jeremiah 14:18</a></span><br />If I go out to the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I enter the city, I see those ravaged by famine! For both prophet and priest travel to a land they do not know.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/52-6.htm">Jeremiah 52:6</a></span><br />By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3</a></span><br />By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20</a></span><br />They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-26.htm">Isaiah 49:26</a></span><br />I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-7.htm">Matthew 24:7</a></span><br />Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-11.htm">Luke 21:11</a></span><br />There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-8.htm">Revelation 6:8</a></span><br />Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-8.htm">Revelation 18:8</a></span><br />Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-8.htm">Mark 13:8</a></span><br />Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">for</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-39.htm">Leviticus 26:39</a></b></br> And 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/24-23.htm">Ezekiel 24:23</a></b></br> And your tires <i>shall be</i> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/33-10.htm">Ezekiel 33:10</a></b></br> Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins <i>be</i> upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?</p><p class="hdg">pine away.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/26-13.htm">Better</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-3.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-32.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">Death</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-12.htm">Die</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-6.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-33.htm">Field</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-49.htm">Flow</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Food</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-20.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-32.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-3.htm">Happier</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-19.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-43.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/35-19.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Need</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-13.htm">Pierced</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-12.htm">Pine</a> <a href="/psalms/90-9.htm">Pined</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-43.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Slowly</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-26.htm">Stricken</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-16.htm">Victims</a> <a href="/jeremiah/42-22.htm">Want</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/15-2.htm">Better</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-2.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-12.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Die</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-10.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-15.htm">Field</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-23.htm">Flow</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-10.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-8.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-40.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/matthew/18-13.htm">Happier</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-10.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-16.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-6.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-17.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-10.htm">Need</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-7.htm">Pierced</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-17.htm">Pine</a> <a href="/psalms/90-9.htm">Pined</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-4.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-2.htm">Slowly</a> <a href="/daniel/4-19.htm">Stricken</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-9.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-29.htm">Victims</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-17.htm">Want</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm">Waste</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/lamentations/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/lamentations/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/lamentations/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Those slain by the sword are better off</b><br>This phrase reflects the intense suffering experienced during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Historically, the siege led to severe famine, making death by the sword seem merciful in comparison. The sword represents a quick death, while famine brings prolonged suffering. This sentiment echoes the despair found in other biblical texts, such as <a href="/jeremiah/14-18.htm">Jeremiah 14:18</a>, where the prophet laments the widespread death and destruction.<p><b>than those who die of hunger,</b><br>Hunger during a siege was a common and devastating reality in ancient warfare. The Book of Lamentations captures the horror of starvation, which was often seen as a slow and agonizing death. This reflects the curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-53.htm">Deuteronomy 28:53-57</a>, where disobedience to God leads to such dire consequences. The cultural context of the time viewed famine as a sign of divine judgment.<p><b>who waste away,</b><br>The phrase "waste away" describes the physical and emotional deterioration caused by prolonged hunger. In the ancient Near East, the body wasting away was not only a physical condition but also a metaphor for spiritual and communal decay. This imagery is consistent with the lamentations of Job, who also speaks of wasting away due to suffering (<a href="/job/19-20.htm">Job 19:20</a>).<p><b>pierced with pain</b><br>The pain here is both physical and emotional, highlighting the depth of suffering experienced by those enduring famine. This phrase can be connected to the broader biblical theme of suffering and redemption, as seen in the suffering servant passages of <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>, which foreshadow the suffering of Christ. The piercing pain can also be seen as a type of the suffering Christ endured on the cross.<p><b>because the fields lack produce.</b><br>The lack of produce signifies the complete breakdown of agricultural and economic systems due to the siege. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, fields were a source of life and sustenance. The failure of the land to produce is a direct consequence of the covenant curses found in <a href="/leviticus/26-20.htm">Leviticus 26:20</a>. This also serves as a reminder of the dependency on God for provision, as seen in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread" (<a href="/matthew/6-11.htm">Matthew 6:11</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>- Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" who lamented the destruction of Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city that faced destruction and siege, leading to the dire circumstances described in Lamentations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_siege.htm">Babylonian Siege</a></b><br>- The event during which the Babylonians besieged Jerusalem, leading to famine and suffering among its inhabitants.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/inhabitants_of_jerusalem.htm">Inhabitants of Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The people who suffered during the siege, experiencing both the sword and starvation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/fields_of_jerusalem.htm">Fields of Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The agricultural lands that failed to produce food during the siege, contributing to the famine.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_suffering.htm">The Reality of Suffering</a></b><br><a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9</a> highlights the severe suffering experienced during the siege, reminding us of the reality of human suffering in a fallen world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The verse serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, as seen in the history of Israel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_for_the_suffering.htm">Compassion for the Suffering</a></b><br>As Christians, we are called to have compassion for those who suffer, recognizing their pain and offering support and prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Hope in God’s Deliverance</a></b><br>Despite the dire circumstances, believers are encouraged to hold onto hope in God's ultimate deliverance and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_nourishment.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Nourishment</a></b><br>Just as physical famine leads to death, spiritual famine can lead to spiritual death. We must seek nourishment through God's Word and prayer.<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/what_defines_christianity's_apostolic_age.htm">What role does Satan play in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_ezekiel_5_11-12's_punishment.htm">In Ezekiel 5:11–12, how can we reconcile the promised devastating punishment (famine, sword, and scattering) with accounts from other biblical or secular sources? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_lamentations_4_10_literal_or_hyperbole.htm">(Lamentations 4:10) Is the claim that mothers cooked their children historically accurate or a hyperbolic contradiction of a loving God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_mass_death_in_jeremiah_16_4.htm">In Jeremiah 16:4, the prophecy describes mass death without mourning--what historical or archaeological evidence supports such a widespread calamity in that era?</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>(9) <span class= "bld">For want of . . .</span>--The italics indicate the difficulty of the sentence. Literally the clause stands, <span class= "ital">from the fruits of the field, </span>and it has been explained by some as referring to those that died in battle, <span class= "ital">stricken through while yet there were fruits, i.e., </span>not doomed to perish slowly from hunger. The construction of <a href="/psalms/109-24.htm" title="My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh fails of fatness.">Psalm 109:24</a>, however, "faileth of fatness"--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>for want of fatness--gives a sufficient support to the Authorised version.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span>-The miserable condition just now described maintains a sad pre-eminence even when compared with the fate of the slain in battle. And why! <span class="cmt_word">For these pine away</span> (literally, <span class="accented">melt away</span>)<span class="a<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/4-9.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">Those slain</span><br /><span class="heb">חַלְלֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḥal·lê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pierced, polluted</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶ֔רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">better off</span><br /><span class="heb">טוֹבִ֤ים</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·w·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than those who die</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵֽחַלְלֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ḥal·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pierced, polluted</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of hunger,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָעָ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> </span><span class="str2">Famine, hunger</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁ֣הֵ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(še·hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">waste away,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָז֙וּבוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yā·zū·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2100.htm">Strong's 2100: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flow freely, to have a, flux, to waste away, to overflow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pierced with pain</span><br /><span class="heb">מְדֻקָּרִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḏuq·qā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1856.htm">Strong's 1856: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stab, to starve, to revile</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because the fields</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂדָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(śā·ḏāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> </span><span class="str2">Field, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lack produce.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִתְּנוּבֹ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(mit·tə·nū·ḇōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8570.htm">Strong's 8570: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fruit, produce</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 4:9 Those who are killed with the sword (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 4:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/4-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 4:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:10" /></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>