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Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But now their faces are blacker than soot. No one recognizes them in the streets. Their skin sticks to their bones; it is as dry and hard as wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now their face is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets; their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>Now</i> their appearance is blacker than soot; They go unrecognized in the streets; Their skin clings to their bones, It has become as dry as wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Their appearance is darker than soot, They are not recognized in the streets; Their skin is shriveled on their bones, It is dry, it has become like wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Their appearance is blacker than soot, They are not recognized in the streets; Their skin is shriveled on their bones, It is withered, it has become like wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Their appearance is blacker than soot, They are not recognized in the streets; Their skin is shriveled on their bones, It is withered, it has become like wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Their form is blacker than soot; They are not recognized in the streets; Their skin is shriveled on their bones; It is withered, it has become like wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Their appearance is [now] blacker than soot [because of the prolonged famine]; They are not recognized in the streets; Their skin clings to their bones; It is withered, and it has become [dry] like wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now they appear darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become dry like wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now they appear darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become dry like wood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: Their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Now they are blacker than tar, and no one recognizes them; their skin clings to their bones and is drier than firewood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Their faces are [now] blacker than soot. No one recognizes them on the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones. It has become as dry as bark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Now they lie unknown in the streets, their faces blackened in death; their skin, dry as wood, has shriveled on their bones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now their faces are blacker than coal; they are unrecognized in the streets. Their skin clings to their bones; it has become dry like a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now their appearance is darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it is dried up, like tree bark. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They appear darker than soot; they are not known in the streets. Their skin cleaves to their bones; it is withered and has become as dry as a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Their appearance is blacker than a coal. They are not known in the streets. Their skin clings to their bones. It is withered. It has become like wood. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Their face has been darker than blackness, "" They have not been known in out-places, "" Their skin has cleaved to their bone, "" It has withered—it has been as wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Darker than blackness hath been their visage, They have not been known in out-places, Cleaved hath their skin unto their bone, It hath withered -- it hath been as wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Their form dark above blackness; they were not known in the streets: their skin adhered to their bones; it was dried up, it was as wood.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Heth. Their face is now made blacker than coals, and they are not known in the streets: their skin hath stuck to their bones, it is withered, and is become like wood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />HETH. Their face has been blacked more than coals, and they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has adhered to their bones; it dried out and became like wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now their appearance is blacker than soot, they go unrecognized in the streets; Their skin has shrunk on their bones, and become dry as wood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now their visage is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as wood.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But now their visage is blacker than charcoal; they are not recognized in the streets; their skin is shriveled on their bones; it has dried up and it has become like a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Kheth Their faces are darker than coal and they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin on their bones is shriveled up; it is dried up and it is like wood<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Their visage is blacker than a coal; They are not known in the streets; Their skin is shrivelled upon their bones; It is withered, it is become like a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />HETH. Their countenance is become blacker than smoke; they are not known in the streets: their skin has cleaved to their bones; they are withered, they are become as a stick.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/4-8.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=1139" 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">7</span>Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like sapphires. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8389.htm" title="8389: tā·’o·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Outline, form. From ta'ar; outline, i.e. Figure or appearance.">But now their appearance</a> <a href="/hebrew/2821.htm" title="2821: ḥā·šaḵ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be or grow dark. A primitive root; to be dark; transitively, to darken.">is blacker</a> <a href="/hebrew/7815.htm" title="7815: miš·šə·ḥō·wr (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Blackness. From shachar; dinginess, i.e. Perhaps soot.">than soot;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they are not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5234.htm" title="5234: nik·kə·rū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To regard, recognize. ">recognized</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: ba·ḥū·ṣō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">in the streets.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5785.htm" title="5785: ‘ō·w·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- A skin. From uwr; skin; by implication, hide, leather.">Their skin</a> <a href="/hebrew/6821.htm" title="6821: ṣā·p̄aḏ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To draw together, contract. A primitive root; to adhere.">has shriveled</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.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/6106.htm" title="6106: ‘aṣ·mām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Bone, substance, self. From atsam; a bone; by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. Selfsame.">their bones;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">it has become</a> <a href="/hebrew/3001.htm" title="3001: yā·ḇêš (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be dry, dried up, or withered. A primitive root; to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also to dry up or wither.">as dry</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ḵā·‘êṣ (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">as a stick.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>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.…<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="/job/30-30.htm">Job 30:30</a></span><br />My skin grows black and peels, and my bones burn with fever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/52-14.htm">Isaiah 52:14</a></span><br />Just as many were appalled at Him—His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-21.htm">Jeremiah 8:21</a></span><br />For the brokenness of the daughter of my people I am crushed. I mourn; horror has gripped me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-2.htm">Jeremiah 14:2</a></span><br />“Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-83.htm">Psalm 119:83</a></span><br />Though I am like a wineskin dried up by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-24.htm">Isaiah 3:24</a></span><br />Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/37-1.htm">Ezekiel 37:1-2</a></span><br />The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones. / He led me all around among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, and indeed, they were very dry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/2-10.htm">Nahum 2:10</a></span><br />She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-6.htm">Joel 2:6</a></span><br />Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/5-6.htm">Daniel 5:6</a></span><br />his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-28.htm">Matthew 27:28-30</a></span><br />They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. / And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand, knelt down before Him, and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” / Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-17.htm">Mark 15:17-19</a></span><br />They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head. / And they began to salute Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” / They kept striking His head with a staff and spitting on Him. And they knelt down and bowed before Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-29.htm">Luke 23:29-31</a></span><br />Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ / At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ / For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-1.htm">John 19:1-3</a></span><br />Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. / The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe. / And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-16.htm">Romans 3:16-18</a></span><br />ruin and misery lie in their wake, / and the way of peace they have not known.” / “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin sticks to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.</p><p class="hdg">visage</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/5-10.htm">Lamentations 5:10</a></b></br> Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/30-17.htm">Job 30:17-19,30</a></b></br> My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joel/2-6.htm">Joel 2:6</a></b></br> Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.</p><p class="hdg">blacker than a coal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1,2</a></b></br> How is the gold become dim! <i>how</i> is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">Ruth 1:19,20</a></b></br> So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, <i>Is</i> this Naomi? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12</a></b></br> And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.</p><p class="hdg">their skins</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/19-20.htm">Job 19:20</a></b></br> My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/33-21.htm">Job 33:21</a></b></br> His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones <i>that</i> were not seen stick out.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/32-4.htm">Psalm 32:4</a></b></br> For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/4-7.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-3.htm">Blackness</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-4.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Cleaved</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Cleaves</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Cleaveth</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-16.htm">Coal</a> <a href="/genesis/49-12.htm">Darker</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-43.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-35.htm">Face</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-20.htm">Hanging</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Night</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Out-Places</a> <a href="/jeremiah/28-9.htm">Recognized</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-4.htm">Shriveled</a> <a href="/job/16-8.htm">Shrivelled</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-4.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/exodus/9-10.htm">Soot</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-4.htm">Stick</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-14.htm">Visage</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-10.htm">Withered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Wood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/joel/2-2.htm">Blackness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-5.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-9.htm">Cleaved</a> <a href="/luke/10-11.htm">Cleaves</a> <a href="/luke/10-11.htm">Cleaveth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-7.htm">Coal</a> <a href="/genesis/49-12.htm">Darker</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-10.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-10.htm">Face</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-12.htm">Hanging</a> <a href="/ezekiel/32-8.htm">Night</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-14.htm">Out-Places</a> <a href="/matthew/5-9.htm">Recognized</a> <a href="/joel/1-17.htm">Shriveled</a> <a href="/matthew/12-10.htm">Shrivelled</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-10.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/exodus/9-8.htm">Soot</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-26.htm">Stick</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-14.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/daniel/3-19.htm">Visage</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-12.htm">Withered</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-4.htm">Wood</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>But now their appearance is blacker than soot;</b><br>This phrase describes the severe physical deterioration of the people due to famine and suffering. The imagery of being "blacker than soot" suggests extreme malnutrition and exposure, leading to a darkened, unhealthy complexion. In biblical times, soot was a common byproduct of burning wood or oil, often used to describe something extremely dark or dirty. This reflects the dire conditions during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, where food scarcity led to starvation. The blackness can also symbolize mourning and despair, common themes in Lamentations. The suffering of the people is a consequence of their disobedience to God, as prophesied in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Deuteronomy 28:48</a>, where curses for disobedience include hunger and nakedness.<p><b>they are not recognized in the streets.</b><br>The drastic change in appearance due to suffering makes the people unrecognizable. This indicates the extent of their physical and social degradation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, one's appearance was closely tied to identity and social status. The loss of recognition signifies a loss of identity and dignity. This also reflects the fulfillment of prophetic warnings, such as those in <a href="/jeremiah/13-25.htm">Jeremiah 13:25-26</a>, where God declares that He will expose and humiliate the people for their sins. The streets, once places of community and interaction, now become places of alienation and shame.<p><b>Their skin has shriveled on their bones;</b><br>This vivid description highlights the effects of severe malnutrition and dehydration. The skin, lacking nourishment, clings tightly to the bones, indicating extreme emaciation. This condition is a direct result of the prolonged siege, where food and water were scarce. In the broader biblical narrative, such physical affliction is often a consequence of turning away from God, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/26-29.htm">Leviticus 26:29</a>, where God warns of dire consequences for disobedience, including famine. The shriveled skin also serves as a metaphor for spiritual desolation, reflecting the people's estrangement from God.<p><b>it has become as dry as a stick.</b><br>The comparison to a dry stick emphasizes the lifelessness and brittleness of the people's condition. In the arid climate of the Near East, a dry stick is devoid of moisture and vitality, symbolizing death and decay. This imagery underscores the severity of the famine and the hopelessness of the situation. Biblically, dryness often represents spiritual barrenness, as seen in <a href="/ezekiel/37.htm">Ezekiel 37:1-14</a>, where dry bones symbolize the spiritual death of Israel. The hope, however, lies in God's power to restore and renew, as He promises to breathe life into the dry bones, foreshadowing the eventual restoration of His people.<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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city that has been destroyed, leading to the suffering and lamentation described in the book.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_inhabitants_of_jerusalem.htm">The Inhabitants of Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The people who are suffering due to the siege and destruction, their physical appearance drastically altered by famine and hardship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_siege.htm">Babylonian Siege</a></b><br>- The event that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of its people, as described in Lamentations.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_streets_of_jerusalem.htm">The Streets of Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The setting where the once-proud inhabitants are now unrecognizable due to their suffering.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The physical and spiritual degradation described in <a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8</a> serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_suffering.htm">The Reality of Suffering</a></b><br>This verse vividly portrays the reality of human suffering, encouraging believers to empathize with those in distress and to seek God's comfort and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a></b><br>The lamentation over Jerusalem's condition underscores the need for repentance and turning back to God to avoid such dire consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_despair.htm">Hope in Despair</a></b><br>Even in the midst of suffering, believers are reminded that God is sovereign and can bring restoration and healing.<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_do_colors_symbolize_in_the_bible.htm">What do colors symbolize in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_'unclean'_isolation.htm">(Lamentations 4:15) Is there archaeological or historical evidence supporting the intense public isolation of the 'unclean'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_divine_arrows_explain_job's_suffering.htm">In Job 6:4, how could divine arrows filled with poison be reconciled with any natural or historical cause of Job's suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_ten_plagues_in_the_bible.htm">What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible?</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>(8) <span class= "bld">Their visage is blacker . . .</span>--We look, as it were, on the two pictures: the bloom and beauty of health, the wan, worn, spectral looks of starvation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Their visage is blacker than a coal;</span> rather, <span class="accented">their appearance is darker than blackness</span> - one of the hyperboles which seem to indicate that the poem was not written at the very moment of the calamity described (comp. <a href="/job/30-30.htm">Job 30:30</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Not known in the streets.</span> Another point of contact with the Book of Job (<a href="/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Their skin,</span> etc. Again we must compare the lamentations of Job (<a href="/job/19-20.htm">Job 19:20</a>; <a href="/job/30-30.htm">Job 30:30</a>). <a href="/psalms/102-5.htm">Psalm 102:5</a> may also be quoted; for the second half of the verse is toe short unless we insert "to my skin" before "to my flesh." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/4-8.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">But now their appearance</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּֽאֳרָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(tā·’o·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8389.htm">Strong's 8389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Outline, figure, appearance</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is blacker</span><br /><span class="heb">חָשַׁ֤ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·šaḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2821.htm">Strong's 2821: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dark, to darken</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than soot;</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְּׁחוֹר֙</span> <span class="translit">(miš·šə·ḥō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7815.htm">Strong's 7815: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dinginess, soot</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they are not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">recognized</span><br /><span class="heb">נִכְּר֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(nik·kə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5234.htm">Strong's 5234: </a> </span><span class="str2">To regard, recognize</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the streets.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחוּצ֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥū·ṣō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2351.htm">Strong's 2351: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Their skin</span><br /><span class="heb">עוֹרָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5785.htm">Strong's 5785: </a> </span><span class="str2">Skin, hide, leather</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has shriveled</span><br /><span class="heb">צָפַ֤ד</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·p̄aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6821.htm">Strong's 6821: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw together, contract</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</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">their bones;</span><br /><span class="heb">עַצְמָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘aṣ·mām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6106.htm">Strong's 6106: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it has become</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<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">as dry</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבֵ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3001.htm">Strong's 3001: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be ashamed, confused, disappointed, to dry up, wither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as a stick.</span><br /><span class="heb">כָעֵֽץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḵā·‘êṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tree, trees, wood</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/4-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 4:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 4:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:9" /></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>