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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 4:19 Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/4-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/25_Lam_04_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 4:19 - The Distress of Zion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness." /><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/4-19.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/4-19.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 19</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="/ad19.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/4-18.htm" title="Lamentations 4:18">◄</a> Lamentations 4:19 <a href="/lamentations/4-20.htm" title="Lamentations 4:20">►</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 />Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Our enemies were swifter than eagles in flight. If we fled to the mountains, they found us. If we hid in the wilderness, they were waiting for us there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles in the heavens; they chased us on the mountains; they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the heavens. They pursued us on the mountains And lay in wait for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky; They chased us on the mountains, They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky; They chased us on the mountains, They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky. They chased us on the mountains; They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky; They hotly pursued us on the mountains; They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky; They pursued us on the mountains, They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those who chased us were swifter than eagles in the sky; they relentlessly pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those who chased us were swifter than eagles in the sky; they relentlessly pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens: They chased us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They swooped down faster than eagles from the sky. They hunted for us in the hills and set traps to catch us out in the desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they chased us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.<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 hunting us were faster than eagles in the sky. They chased us in the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Swifter than eagles swooping from the sky, they chased us down. They tracked us down in the hills; they took us by surprise in the desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than soaring eagles; they pursued us over the mountains, lying in wait for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Those who pursued us were swifter than eagles in the sky. They chased us over the mountains; they ambushed us in the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky. They chased us on the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky. They chased us on the mountains. They set an ambush for us in the wilderness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Swifter have been our pursuers, "" Than the eagles of the heavens, "" On the mountains they have burned [after] us, "" In the wilderness they have laid wait for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Swifter have been our pursuers, Than the eagles of the heavens, On the mountains they have burned after us, In the wilderness they have laid wait for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They pursuing us were swift above the eagle of the heavens: they burned after us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the desert.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Coph. Our persecutors were swifter than the eagles of the air: they pursued us upon the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />COPH. Our persecutors have been swifter than the eagles of the sky. They have been pursuing us above the mountains; they have lain in wait for us in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky, In the mountains they were hot on our trail, they ambushed us in the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles in the heavens; they chased us on the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the air; they chased us upon the mountains, they laid in wait for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Qoph Our pursuers have been swifter than the eagles of Heaven! On the mountains they chased us and in the wilderness they ambushed us! <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the heaven; They chased us upon the mountains, They lay in wait for us in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky, they flew on the mountains, in the wilderness they laid wait for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/4-19.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=1262" 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">18</span>They stalked our every step, so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near, our time ran out, for our end had come! <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: rō·ḏə·p̄ê·nū (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 1cp) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">Those who chased us</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.">were</a> <a href="/hebrew/7031.htm" title="7031: qal·lîm (Adj-mp) -- Light, swift, fleet. Contracted from qalal; light; rapid.">swifter</a> <a href="/hebrew/5404.htm" title="5404: min·niš·rê (Prep-m:: N-mpc) -- An eagle. From an unused root meaning to lacerate; the eagle.">than the eagles</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: šā·mā·yim (N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">in the sky;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1814.htm" title="1814: də·lā·qu·nū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cp) -- To burn, hotly pursue. A primitive root; to flame.">they pursued us</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: he·hā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">the mountains</a> <a href="/hebrew/693.htm" title="693: ’ā·rə·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To lie in wait. A primitive root; to lurk.">and ambushed</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">us</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: bam·miḏ·bār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">in the wilderness.</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>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.”…<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/4-13.htm">Jeremiah 4:13</a></span><br />Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-49.htm">Deuteronomy 28:49</a></span><br />The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Habakkuk 1:8</a></span><br />Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16</a></span><br />“No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/48-40.htm">Jeremiah 48:40</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, an eagle swoops down and spreads his wings against Moab.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/49-22.htm">Jeremiah 49:22</a></span><br />Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s mighty men will be like the heart of a woman in labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-23.htm">2 Samuel 1:23</a></span><br />Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/9-25.htm">Job 9:25-26</a></span><br />My days are swifter than a runner; they flee without seeing good. / They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/8-1.htm">Hosea 8:1</a></span><br />Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-1.htm">Amos 9:1-4</a></span><br />I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape. / Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. / Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-28.htm">Matthew 24:28</a></span><br />Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-37.htm">Luke 17:37</a></span><br />“Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-14.htm">Revelation 12:14</a></span><br />But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-16.htm">Matthew 24:16-18</a></span><br />then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-14.htm">Mark 13:14-16</a></span><br />So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us on the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.</p><p class="hdg">persecutors</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-49.htm">Deuteronomy 28:49</a></b></br> The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, <i>as swift</i> as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-26.htm">Isaiah 5:26-28</a></b></br> And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16,17</a></b></br> But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift… </p><p class="hdg">the eagles.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/2-14.htm">Amos 2:14</a></b></br> Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/9-1.htm">Amos 9:1-3</a></b></br> I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/51-12.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-52.htm">Chased</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-43.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-36.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Eagles</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-50.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-66.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-6.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-6.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-3.htm">Persecutors</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-43.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-3.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Quicker</a> <a href="/jeremiah/40-15.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-53.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Swifter</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-15.htm">Vultures</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-26.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-16.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-26.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hosea/6-9.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-4.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/acts/26-11.htm">Chased</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-9.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-13.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/daniel/4-33.htm">Eagles</a> <a href="/ezekiel/31-6.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-1.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-5.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-2.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Persecutors</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-5.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-5.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Quicker</a> <a href="/hosea/6-9.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-3.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Swifter</a> <a href="/matthew/24-28.htm">Vultures</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-26.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-5.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/daniel/7-16.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-9.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-9.htm">Wilderness</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 who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky;</b><br>This phrase highlights the speed and determination of the enemies of Jerusalem. Eagles are known for their swiftness and keen sight, symbolizing the relentless pursuit by the Babylonians. In biblical times, eagles were often used as symbols of power and speed (<a href="/deuteronomy/28-49.htm">Deuteronomy 28:49</a>). The imagery suggests that the attackers were not only fast but also strategic, much like an eagle that spots its prey from afar and swoops down with precision. This relentless pursuit can be seen as a fulfillment of the curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where God warns Israel of the consequences of disobedience.<p><b>they pursued us over the mountains</b><br>The mountains refer to the rugged terrain surrounding Jerusalem, which the people might have thought would provide refuge or a natural barrier against their enemies. However, the Babylonians were undeterred by the difficult landscape, emphasizing their determination and the futility of escape. Historically, the mountains of Judah were often seen as places of refuge (<a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14</a>), but in this instance, they offered no protection. This pursuit over the mountains can also symbolize the inescapable nature of divine judgment when God allows adversaries to prevail.<p><b>and ambushed us in the wilderness.</b><br>The wilderness, often a place of desolation and danger, becomes a setting for ambush, indicating the strategic and unexpected attacks by the Babylonians. The wilderness in biblical narratives is frequently a place of testing and trial (Exodus 15-18), and here it becomes a place of defeat. The ambush suggests a well-planned and executed military strategy, leaving the people of Jerusalem with no place to hide. This reflects the totality of the judgment upon Jerusalem, as even the wilderness, which might have been a place of escape, becomes a trap. The imagery of ambush can also be seen as a metaphor for the suddenness and inevitability of God's judgment when His people turn away from Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" who lamented the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Judah who are experiencing the consequences of their disobedience to God, including the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuers.htm">The Pursuers</a></b><br>Likely referring to the Babylonian army, known for their speed and strength, who relentlessly pursued the Israelites during the conquest.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/eagles_in_the_sky.htm">Eagles in the Sky</a></b><br>A metaphor for the swiftness and power of the Babylonian forces, emphasizing their ability to overtake and capture the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>Represents a place of danger and desolation where the Israelites were vulnerable to their enemies.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The Israelites' suffering was a direct result of their disobedience to God. This serves as a reminder of the importance of living in accordance with God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_relentlessness_of_sin.htm">The Relentlessness of Sin</a></b><br>Just as the pursuers were relentless, sin can be relentless in its pursuit of us. We must remain vigilant and seek God's strength to overcome it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>Even in judgment, God remains sovereign. The Israelites' experience was part of God's larger plan, reminding us to trust in His ultimate wisdom and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_desolation.htm">Hope in Desolation</a></b><br>While the wilderness represents desolation, it is also a place where God can meet us and provide for us. We should seek His presence even in our darkest times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_repentance.htm">The Need for Repentance</a></b><br>The Israelites' plight underscores the need for genuine repentance and turning back to God. This is a call for us to examine our lives and seek reconciliation with Him.<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_was_jesus'_place_of_residence.htm">What defines a psalm?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_ezekiel_19_4,_19_9_captivity.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence that confirms the captivity described in Ezekiel 19:4 and 19:9?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_satan's_claim_fit_god's_rule.htm">If the devil claimed authority over 'all the kingdoms' (Matthew 4:8-9), how does that align with God's sovereignty?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_job's_words_contain_any_sin.htm">What is the significance of Mount Sinai?</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>(19) <span class= "bld">Our persecutors.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">Our pursuers, </span>the words referring to the Chaldaean enemies rather than to persecutors in the modern sense of the word. The comparison with eagles has a parallel in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-49.htm" title="The LORD shall bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies; a nation whose tongue you shall not understand;">Deuteronomy 28:49</a>. If we take the second clause as referring to the flight of Zedekiah, mentioned in the next verse, the mountains would be the heights east of Jerusalem, beginning with the Mount of Olives, and the wilderness that of the <span class= "ital">Ghor, </span>or Jordan Valley (<a href="/jeremiah/39-5.htm" title="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 on him.">Jeremiah 39:5</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Swifter than the eagles of the heaven</span>. Jeremiah, or his imitator, repeats the figure which occurs in <a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Jeremiah 4:13</a>. There is probably no special reference to the circumstances of the capture of Zedekiah (<a href="/jeremiah/39-4.htm">Jeremiah 39:4, 5</a>); the escape of many fugitives would be similarly cut off. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/4-19.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 who chased us</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹדְפֵ֔ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(rō·ḏə·p̄ê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were</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">swifter</span><br /><span class="heb">קַלִּ֤ים</span> <span class="translit">(qal·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7031.htm">Strong's 7031: </a> </span><span class="str2">Light, swift, fleet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than the eagles</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנִּשְׁרֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(min·niš·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5404.htm">Strong's 5404: </a> </span><span class="str2">The eagle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the sky;</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמָ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(šā·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they pursued us</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּלָקֻ֔נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(də·lā·qu·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1814.htm">Strong's 1814: </a> </span><span class="str2">To burn, hotly pursue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the mountains</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶהָרִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(he·hā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and ambushed us</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֥רְבוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·rə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_693.htm">Strong's 693: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie in wait</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the wilderness.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(bam·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 4:19 Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/4-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 4:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/4-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 4:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:20" /></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>