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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 4:4 The nursing infant's tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/4-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/25_Lam_04_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 4:4 - The Distress of Zion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The nursing infant's tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. 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The children cry for bread, but no one has any to give them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the nursing infant sticks to the roof of its mouth for thirst; the children beg for food, but no one gives to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, <i>and</i> no man breaketh <i>it</i> unto them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the infant clings To the roof of its mouth for thirst; The young children ask for bread, <i>But</i> no one breaks <i>it</i> for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the infant clings To the roof of its mouth because of thirst; The children ask for bread, <i>But</i> no one breaks <i>it</i> for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The tongue of the infant cleaves To the roof of its mouth because of thirst; The little ones ask for bread, But no one breaks it for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The tongue of the infant cleaves To the roof of its mouth because of thirst; The little ones ask for bread, <i>But</i> no one breaks <i>it</i> for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The tongue of the nursing baby cleaves To the roof of its mouth because of thirst; The infants ask for bread, <i>But</i> no one breaks <i>it</i> for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the infant clings To the roof of its mouth because of thirst; The little ones ask for food, But no one gives it to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The nursing baby’s tongue clings to the roof of his mouth from thirst. Infants beg for food, but no one gives them any.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The nursing infant&#8217s tongue clings to the roof of his mouth from thirst. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: The young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Babies are so thirsty that their tongues are stuck to the roof of the mouth. Children go begging for food, but no one gives them any. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The tongues of nursing infants stick to the roofs of their mouths because of their thirst. Little children beg for bread, but no one will break off a piece for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They let their babies die of hunger and thirst; children are begging for food that no one will give them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The nursing child's tongue cleaves to its palate from thirst. Young children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The infant's tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth due to thirst; little children beg for bread, but no one gives them even a morsel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The nursing infant's tongue sticks to the roof of his mouth for thirst. The young children ask for bread, but no one gives to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it to them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the nursing child clings to the roof of his mouth for thirst. The young children ask for bread, and no one breaks it for them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The tongue of a suckling has cleaved to his palate with thirst, "" Infants asked for bread, they have no dealer [of it] out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Cleaved hath the tongue of a suckling unto his palate with thirst, Infants asked bread, a dealer out they have none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The tongue of the suckling adhered to his palate in thirst: the young children asked for bread, none breaking bread to them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Daleth. The tongue of the sucking child hath stuck to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the little ones have asked for bread, and there was none to break it unto them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />DALETH. The tongue of the infant adheres to his palate out of thirst. The little ones have asked for bread, and there was no one to break it for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the infant cleaves to the roof of its mouth in thirst; Children beg for bread, but no one gives them a piece. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the infant sticks to the roof of its mouth for thirst; the children beg for food, but no one gives them anything.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the suckling child cleaves to the roof of his mouth for thirst; the children ask bread, but no one breaks the loaf and gives it to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Daleth The tongue of the infant is stuck to the roof of his palate in thirst. Children asked for bread and there is none who breaks bread, giving it to them <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth To the roof of his mouth for thirst; The young children ask bread, And none breaketh it unto them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />DALETH. The tongue of the sucking child cleaves to the roof of its mouth for thirst: the little children ask for bread, <i>and</i> there is none to break <i>it</i> to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/4-4.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=1097" 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">3</span>Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like an ostrich in the wilderness. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3243.htm" title="3243: yō·w·nêq (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To suck. A primitive root; to suck; causatively, to give milk.">The nursing infant’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/3956.htm" title="3956: lə·šō·wn (N-csc) -- Tongue. Or lashon; also feminine lshonah; from lashan; the tongue, used literally, and figuratively.">tongue</a> <a href="/hebrew/1692.htm" title="1692: dā·ḇaq (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To cling, cleave, keep close. A primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. Cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit.">clings</a> <a href="/hebrew/6772.htm" title="6772: baṣ·ṣā·mā (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Thirst. From tsame'; thirst.">in thirst</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/2441.htm" title="2441: ḥ·kō (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Probably from chanak in the sense of tasting; properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself.">the roof of his mouth.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5768.htm" title="5768: ‘ō·w·lā·lîm (N-mp) -- A child. Or lolal; from uwl; a suckling.">Little children</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: šā·’ă·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">beg for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">bread,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">but no</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6566.htm" title="6566: pō·rêś (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To spread out, spread. A primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.">one gives them any.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets; those brought up in crimson huddle in ash heaps.…<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="/2_kings/6-25.htm">2 Kings 6:25-29</a></span><br />So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver. / As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, “Help me, my lord the king!” / He answered, “If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or the winepress?” ...<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="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15</a></span><br />“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/9-14.htm">Hosea 9:14</a></span><br />Give them, O LORD—what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up!<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="/job/24-10.htm">Job 24:10-11</a></span><br />Without clothing, they wander about naked. They carry the sheaves, but still go hungry. / They crush olives within their walls; they tread the winepresses, but go thirsty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Psalm 22:15</a></span><br />My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-1.htm">Isaiah 3:1</a></span><br />For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-19.htm">Matthew 24:19</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-17.htm">Mark 13:17</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-23.htm">Luke 21:23</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">Matthew 15:32</a></span><br />Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-2.htm">Mark 8:2-3</a></span><br />“I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. / If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The tongue of the sucking child sticks to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaks it to them.</p><p class="hdg">tongue</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Psalm 22:15</a></b></br> My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/137-6.htm">Psalm 137:6</a></b></br> If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.</p><p class="hdg">the young</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/1-11.htm">Lamentations 1:11</a></b></br> All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Lamentations 2:11,12</a></b></br> Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Deuteronomy 32:24</a></b></br> <i>They shall be</i> burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/38-20.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-16.htm">Breaketh</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-29.htm">Breaks</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">Child</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-33.htm">Children</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-21.htm">Cleaved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-11.htm">Cleaves</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-11.htm">Cleaveth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-19.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-63.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-19.htm">Food</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-30.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-7.htm">Infant</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-20.htm">Little</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-34.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-30.htm">Nursling</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/songs/7-9.htm">Palate</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-27.htm">Roof</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Sucking</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-7.htm">Suckling</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-18.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-31.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/1-12.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-6.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/ezekiel/26-9.htm">Breaketh</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-5.htm">Breaks</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-12.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Child</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">Cleaved</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">Cleaves</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">Cleaveth</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-4.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-26.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-9.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-13.htm">Infant</a> <a href="/hosea/13-16.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-8.htm">Little</a> <a href="/ezekiel/2-8.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Need</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-25.htm">Nursling</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-7.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-26.htm">Palate</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-26.htm">Roof</a> <a href="/numbers/11-12.htm">Sucking</a> <a href="/genesis/32-15.htm">Suckling</a> <a href="/hosea/2-3.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-5.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Young</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>The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth.</b><br>This phrase vividly depicts the dire conditions during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The image of a nursing infant suffering from thirst highlights the severity of the famine and the breakdown of societal structures. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the well-being of children was a reflection of the community's health. The mention of thirst is significant, as water scarcity was a common issue during sieges, and it underscores the desperation of the situation. This imagery is reminiscent of <a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Deuteronomy 28:48</a>, where God warns of the consequences of disobedience, including hunger and thirst. The suffering of the innocent, such as infants, emphasizes the depth of the nation's calamity and serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.<p><b>Little children beg for bread,</b><br>The plight of the children begging for bread illustrates the extreme poverty and hunger experienced during the siege. Bread, a staple food in the ancient world, symbolizes basic sustenance and life. The fact that children, who are typically cared for and protected, are reduced to begging indicates a complete societal collapse. This situation fulfills the curses outlined in <a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Leviticus 26:26</a>, where God warns that disobedience will lead to a lack of bread. The image of children begging also evokes compassion and highlights the moral and spiritual decay of the society that fails to provide for its most vulnerable members.<p><b>but no one gives them any.</b><br>This phrase underscores the hopelessness and despair prevalent in Jerusalem during the siege. The lack of response to the children's pleas indicates a community overwhelmed by its own needs and unable to extend help to others. It reflects the fulfillment of prophetic warnings, such as those in <a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Jeremiah 19:9</a>, where God foretells the dire consequences of the people's unfaithfulness. The absence of compassion and aid is a stark contrast to the biblical call to care for the needy, as seen in passages like <a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Proverbs 19:17</a>. This situation serves as a sobering reminder of the spiritual desolation that accompanies physical suffering and the importance of maintaining faithfulness to God's commands.<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." He laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of its people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city that has been destroyed by the Babylonians, leading to the suffering and starvation described in this verse.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_siege.htm">Babylonian Siege</a></b><br>- The event that led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, causing severe famine and hardship for its inhabitants.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The suffering of the children in <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4</a> is a direct result of the nation's disobedience to God. This serves as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_for_the_vulnerable.htm">Compassion for the Vulnerable</a></b><br>The imagery of children begging for bread calls believers to have compassion and take action to support the vulnerable in society.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_nourishment.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Nourishment</a></b><br>Just as physical hunger is devastating, spiritual hunger can lead to spiritual death. Believers are encouraged to seek and provide spiritual nourishment through God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>Despite the dire circumstances, believers are reminded to trust in God's provision and faithfulness, even in times of trial.<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/evidence_for_jacob's_distress_event.htm">Jeremiah 30:7 describes a period of unparalleled distress for Jacob (Israel); what historical or archaeological evidence supports such a catastrophic event? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_123_4_conflict_with_other_verses.htm">Psalm 123:4 laments the scorn of the proud; does this conflict with other verses implying the righteous should not be shaken by contempt?</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/how_does_lamentations_4_13_align_with_communal_guilt.htm">(Lamentations 4:13) How does blaming prophets and priests for the downfall align or conflict with other biblical teachings on communal guilt?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Breaketh it unto them.</span> The Jewish bread, consisting of round or oval cakes (comp. <a href="/1_kings/19-6.htm">1 Kings 19:6</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/4-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The nursing infant’s</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹנֵ֛ק</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·nêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3243.htm">Strong's 3243: </a> </span><span class="str2">To suck, to give milk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tongue</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשׁ֥וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">The tongue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">clings</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּבַ֨ק</span> <span class="translit">(dā·ḇaq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1692.htm">Strong's 1692: </a> </span><span class="str2">To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in thirst</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּצָּמָ֑א</span> <span class="translit">(baṣ·ṣā·mā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6772.htm">Strong's 6772: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thirst</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the roof of his mouth.</span><br /><span class="heb">חכּ֖וֹ‪‬‪‬‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(ḥik·kōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2441.htm">Strong's 2441: </a> </span><span class="str2">Palate, roof of the mouth, gums</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Little children</span><br /><span class="heb">עֽוֹלָלִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·lā·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5768.htm">Strong's 5768: </a> </span><span class="str2">A suckling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">beg for</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֣אֲלוּ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ă·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bread,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶ֔חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one gives them any.</span><br /><span class="heb">פֹּרֵ֖שׂ</span> <span class="translit">(pō·rêś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6566.htm">Strong's 6566: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break apart, disperse</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 4:4 The tongue of the sucking child cleaves (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 4:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 4:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:5" /></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>