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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 4:1 How the gold has become tarnished, the pure gold has become dull! The gems of the temple lie scattered on every street corner.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/4-1.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_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 4:1 - The Distress of Zion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="How the gold has become tarnished, the pure gold has become dull! 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The sacred gems are scattered at every street corner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How the gold has lost its luster! Even the finest gold has become dull. The sacred gemstones lie scattered in the streets!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the gold has become tarnished, the pure gold has become dull! The gems of the temple lie scattered on every street corner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />How the gold has become dim! <i>How</i> changed the fine gold! The stones of the sanctuary are scattered At the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />How dark the gold has become, <i>How</i> the pure gold has changed! The sacred stones are spilled out At the corner of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />How dark the gold has become, How the pure gold has changed! The sacred stones are poured out At the corner of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />How dark the gold has become, How the pure gold has changed! The sacred stones are poured out At the corner of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />How dark the gold has become, <i>How</i> the pure gold has changed! The sacred stones are poured out At the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />How dark <i>and</i> dim the gold has become, How the pure gold has changed! The sacred stones [of the temple] are poured out <i>and</i> scattered At the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the gold has become tarnished, the fine gold become dull! The stones of the temple lie scattered at the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the gold has become tarnished, the fine gold become dull! The stones of the temple lie scattered at the corner of every street. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />How is the gold become dim! how is the most pure gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The purest gold is ruined and has lost its shine; jewels from the temple lie scattered in the streets. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />How is the gold become dim! how is the most pure gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the top of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Look how the gold has become tarnished! The fine gold has changed! The sacred stones are scattered at every street corner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Our glittering gold has grown dull; the stones of the Temple lie scattered in the streets. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />How tarnished the gold has become, the finest gold debased! Sacred stones have been scattered at every street corner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the gold has become tarnished, the pure gold has become dull! The gems of the temple lie scattered on every street corner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Alas! Gold has lost its luster; pure gold loses value. Jewels are scattered on every street corner. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />How the gold has become dim. How the most pure gold has changed. The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />How the gold has become dim! The most pure gold has changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />[ALEPH-BET] How the gold has become dim, "" Changed the best—the pure gold! Stones of the sanctuary are poured out "" At the head of all out-places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> How is the gold become dim, Changed the best -- the pure gold? Poured out are stones of the sanctuary At the head of all out-places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />How will the gold become dim the good gold will be changed the stones of the holy place shall be poured out in the head of all the streets.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Aleph. How is the gold become dim, the finest colour is changed, the stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the top of every street? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />ALEPH. O how the gold has become dulled, the finest color has been altered, the stones of the sanctuary have been scattered at the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How the gold has lost its luster, the noble metal changed; Jewels lie scattered at the corner of every street. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The sacred stones lie scattered at the head of every street.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />HOW is the fine gold rejected! how is the lovely color faded! the stones of the sanctuary are thrown down at the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Aleph How the fine gold is rejected and the beautiful dyed garment departed, and the stones of holiness are cast out at the head of all the streets! <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed! The hallowed stones are poured out At the head of every street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />ALEPH. How will the gold be tarnished, <i>and</i> the fine silver changed! the sacred stones have been poured forth at the top of all the streets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/4-1.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=1065" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’ê·ḵāh (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">How</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: zā·hāḇ (N-ms) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">the gold</a> <a href="/hebrew/6004.htm" title="6004: yū·‘am (V-Hofal-Imperf-3ms) -- To darken, dim. A primitive root; to associate; by implication, to overshadow.">has become tarnished,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: haṭ·ṭō·wḇ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">the pure</a> <a href="/hebrew/3800.htm" title="3800: hak·ke·ṯem (Art:: N-ms) -- Gold. From katham; properly, something carved out, i.e. Ore; hence, gold.">gold</a> <a href="/hebrew/8132.htm" title="8132: yiš·ne (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To change. A primitive root; to alter.">has become dull!</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’aḇ·nê- (N-fpc) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">The gems</a> <a href="/hebrew/6944.htm" title="6944: qō·ḏeš (N-ms) -- Apartness, sacredness. From qadash; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity.">of the temple</a> <a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: tiš·tap·pê·ḵə·nāh (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3fp) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">lie scattered</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">on every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: ḥū·ṣō·wṯ (N-mp) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">street</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: bə·rōš (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">corner.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>How the precious sons of Zion, once worth their weight in pure gold, are now esteemed as jars of clay, the work of a potter’s hands!…<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/52-13.htm">Jeremiah 52:13</a></span><br />He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-9.htm">2 Kings 25:9</a></span><br />He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-19.htm">Ezekiel 7:19</a></span><br />They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21</a></span><br />See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-19.htm">2 Chronicles 36:19</a></span><br />Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11</a></span><br />Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-11.htm">Isaiah 64:11</a></span><br />Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-18.htm">Ezekiel 22:18-22</a></span><br />“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are but the dross of silver. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because all of you have become dross, behold, I will gather you into Jerusalem. / Just as one gathers silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace to melt with a fiery blast, so I will gather you in My anger and wrath, leave you there, and melt you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-30.htm">Jeremiah 6:30</a></span><br />They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/3-4.htm">Zephaniah 3:4</a></span><br />Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37-38</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-5.htm">Luke 21:5-6</a></span><br />As some of the disciples were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, Jesus said, / “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-16.htm">Revelation 18:16</a></span><br />saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-1.htm">Matthew 24:1-2</a></span><br />As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings. / “Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-1.htm">Mark 13:1-2</a></span><br />As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!” / “Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.</p><p class="hdg">how is the gold</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/25-9.htm">2 Kings 25:9,10</a></b></br> And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great <i>man's</i> house burnt he with fire… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21</a></b></br> How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/14-12.htm">Isaiah 14:12</a></b></br> How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! <i>how</i> art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!</p><p class="hdg">the stones</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Lamentations 2:19</a></b></br> Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/52-13.htm">Jeremiah 52:13</a></b></br> And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great <i>men</i>, burned he with fire:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/24-2.htm">Matthew 24:2</a></b></br> And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/48-15.htm">Best</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-14.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-26.htm">Corner</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-6.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-3.htm">Dim</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-9.htm">Dropping</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Dull</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-19.htm">Fine</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-19.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-11.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-15.htm">Hallowed</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-54.htm">Head</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-10.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">Out-Places</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-49.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-13.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-20.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-8.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-53.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Street</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Top</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm">Best</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-15.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-21.htm">Corner</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-17.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-17.htm">Dim</a> <a href="/amos/9-13.htm">Dropping</a> <a href="/matthew/13-15.htm">Dull</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm">Fine</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-17.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-41.htm">Hallowed</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-16.htm">Head</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-7.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Out-Places</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-11.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/daniel/2-32.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-21.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-11.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-16.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-40.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-24.htm">Street</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-25.htm">Top</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>How the gold has become tarnished</b><br>This phrase reflects the lament over the loss of former glory and purity. Gold, often symbolizing purity and value, represents the spiritual and moral decay of Jerusalem. In biblical times, gold was used extensively in the temple, signifying God's presence and holiness (<a href="/1_kings/6-20.htm">1 Kings 6:20-22</a>). The tarnishing of gold symbolizes the corruption and defilement of what was once sacred. This imagery can be connected to the spiritual decline of Israel, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/1-22.htm">Isaiah 1:22</a>, where silver becomes dross, indicating moral and spiritual degradation.<p><b>The pure gold has become dull!</b><br>The repetition emphasizes the extent of the decline. Pure gold, which should remain untarnished, becoming dull signifies the complete loss of luster and value. This can be seen as a metaphor for the people of Jerusalem, who were once set apart and holy but have now lost their distinctiveness and righteousness. The dulling of gold can also be seen as a reflection of the people's hearts growing cold and indifferent to God, as warned in <a href="/deuteronomy/8-11.htm">Deuteronomy 8:11-14</a>, where prosperity leads to forgetfulness of the Lord.<p><b>The gems of the temple lie scattered on every street corner.</b><br>This phrase highlights the desecration and destruction of the temple, which was the center of Jewish worship and the dwelling place of God's presence (<a href="/1_kings/8-10.htm">1 Kings 8:10-11</a>). The scattering of the temple's gems symbolizes the dispersion and humiliation of the people of Jerusalem. It also reflects the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the destruction of the temple due to the people's unfaithfulness (<a href="/jeremiah/7-14.htm">Jeremiah 7:14</a>). The scattering of what was once precious and sacred can be seen as a type of Christ, who was rejected and despised, yet became the cornerstone (<a href="/psalms/118-22.htm">Psalm 118:22</a>, <a href="/1_peter/2-7.htm">1 Peter 2:7</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>- Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" who mourns the destruction of Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city whose destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC is lamented throughout the book.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_siege.htm">Babylonian Siege</a></b><br>- The event leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, resulting in the scattering of its treasures.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_of_solomon.htm">Temple of Solomon</a></b><br>- The sacred place in Jerusalem, known for its opulence and gold, which was plundered and destroyed.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>- The inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah who suffered exile and loss during the Babylonian conquest.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_earthly_wealth.htm">The Transience of Earthly Wealth</a></b><br>Earthly treasures, like the gold of the temple, are temporary and can be lost or destroyed. Believers are encouraged to store up treasures in heaven, where they are eternal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The dimming of the gold symbolizes the consequences of Judah's sin and disobedience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and obedience to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_spiritual_riches.htm">The Value of Spiritual Riches</a></b><br>While physical gold can grow dim, spiritual riches in Christ remain pure and unchanging. Believers should prioritize spiritual growth and maturity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>The scattering of sacred gems reflects God's sovereign judgment. Understanding God's control over nations and events can bring comfort and a call to trust in His plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_desolation.htm">Hope Amidst Desolation</a></b><br>Even in the midst of lament, there is hope for restoration. God's promises of renewal and redemption offer encouragement to those facing loss and despair.<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/do_findings_match_lamentations_5_2's_ruin.htm">Lamentations 5:2 depicts a Jerusalem left desolate—do archaeological findings fully align with the extent of destruction described? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/2_chr_3_4__how_was_the_porch_120_cubits.htm">2 Chronicles 3:4 - How could the porch realistically be 120 cubits high when no known structures of that era matched such a height?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_israel_get_temple_gold.htm">How did Israel acquire and maintain the gold for temple items (2 Chronicles 4:19-22) without external historical records?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_haggai_1_4's_temple_rebuild_urgent.htm">Why does the command to rebuild the Temple (Haggai 1:4) seem urgent here, while other biblical passages suggest a more prolonged period of delay and opposition?</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>IV.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">How is the gold . . .</span>--The chapter, considered as a distinct poem, reproduces in its general character that of Lamentations 1, 2, differing from them, however, in tracing more fully the connection between the sufferings and the sins of Judah. The "gold" and the <span class= "ital">stones of holiness </span>are none other than the material treasures of palace or temple, and the repetition of the phrase "in the top of every street," used in <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm" title="Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out your heart like water before the face of the LORD: lift up your hands toward him for the life of your young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.">Lamentations 2:19</a> of children, seems intended to indicate that the words include all that was most precious among the possessions of Jerusalem.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">How is the gold become dim!... the stones of the sanctuary,</span> etc. "Alas for the sad sights of the capture of Jerusalem! The most fine gold has lost its brilliance now that the fire of Nebuzar-adan (<a href="/2_kings/25-9.htm">2 Kings 25:9</a>) has passed over it, and the precious stones, consecrated to Jehovah, have been cast out into the open street!" Not that the latter part of this description can have corresponded to literal fact. None of the hallowed jewels would have been treated with such indifference. The expression must be as figurative as the parallel one, "to cast pearls before swine," in <a href="/matthew/7-6.htm">Matthew 7:6</a>. The precious stones are the "sons of Zion," who are compared to "fine gold" in ver. 2, precisely as they are in <a href="/zechariah/9-16.htm">Zechariah 9:16</a> (comp. ver. 13," Thy sons, O Zion") to "the stones of a crown." They are called "stones of the sanctuary," in allusion, perhaps, to the precious stones employed in the decoration of the temple according to <a href="/1_chronicles/29-2.htm">1 Chronicles 29:2</a> and <a href="/2_chronicles/3-6.htm">2 Chronicles 3:6</a>. But we may also translate <span class="accented">hallowed stones</span>, which better suits the figurative use of the phrase. Those, however, who adopt the literal interpretation, explain "the stones of the sanctuary" of the hewn stones of the fabric of the temple, which are described as "costly" in <a href="/1_kings/5-17.htm">1 Kings 5:17</a>. But how can even a poet have represented the enemy as carrying these stones out and throwing them down in the street? On the other hand, in an earlier lamentation we are expressly told that the young children "fainted for hunger in the top of every street" (<a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Lamentations 2:19</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/4-1.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">How</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵיכָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> </span><span class="str2">How?, how!, where</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the gold</span><br /><span class="heb">זָהָ֔ב</span> <span class="translit">(zā·hāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has become tarnished,</span><br /><span class="heb">יוּעַ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(yū·‘am)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6004.htm">Strong's 6004: </a> </span><span class="str2">To associate, to overshadow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the pure</span><br /><span class="heb">הַטּ֑וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(haṭ·ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gold</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֶּ֣תֶם</span> <span class="translit">(hak·ke·ṯem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3800.htm">Strong's 3800: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something carved out, ore, gold</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has become dull!</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁנֶ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·ne)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8132.htm">Strong's 8132: </a> </span><span class="str2">To change</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The gems</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the temple</span><br /><span class="heb">קֹ֔דֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(qō·ḏeš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6944.htm">Strong's 6944: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sacred place, thing, sanctity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lie scattered</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁתַּפֵּ֙כְנָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·tap·pê·ḵə·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">street</span><br /><span class="heb">חוּצֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥū·ṣō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">corner.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרֹ֖אשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lamentations 4:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/4-1.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 4:1 How is the gold become dim! (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/3-66.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 3:66"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 3:66" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:2" /></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>