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Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />We couldn’t go into the streets without danger to our lives. Our end was near; our days were numbered. We were doomed!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They dogged our steps so that we could not walk in our streets; our end drew near; our days were numbered, for our end had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They stalked our every step, so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near, our time ran out, for our end had come!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They tracked our steps So that we could not walk in our streets. Our end was near; Our days were over, For our end had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They hunted our steps So that we could not walk in our streets; Our end drew near, Our days were finished For our end had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They hunted our steps So that we could not walk in our streets; Our end drew near, Our days were finished For our end had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They hunted our steps So that we could not walk in our streets; Our end drew near, Our days were finished For our end had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They hunted our steps So that we could not walk in our open squares; Our end drew near, Our days were finished, For our end had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The enemy hunted our steps, So that we could not walk in our streets; Our end drew near, Our days were finished For our end had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Our steps were closely followed so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end approached; our time ran out. Our end had come!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Our steps were closely followed so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near; our time ran out. Our end had come! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They hunt our steps, so that we cannot go in our streets: Our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Enemies hunted us down on every public street. Our time was up; our doom was near. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[The enemy] kept tracking us down, so we couldn't even go out into the streets. Our end was near. Our time was up. Our end had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The enemy was watching for us; we could not even walk in the streets. Our days were over; the end had come. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Our steps were closely stalked, so we couldn't travel on our own streets. Our end is near, our days are over; indeed, our end has come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They stalked our every step, so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near, our time ran out, for our end had come!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Our enemies hunted us down at every step so that we could not walk about in our streets. Our end drew near, our days were numbered, for our end had come! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They hunt our steps, so that we can't go in our streets. Our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end has come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They hunt our steps, so that we can’t go in our streets. Our end is near. Our days are fulfilled, for our end has come. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They have hunted our steps from going in our broad-places, "" Near has been our end, fulfilled our days, "" For our end has come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They have hunted our steps from going in our broad-places, Near hath been our end, fulfilled our days, For come hath our end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They hunted our steps from going in our broad places: our end drew near, our days were completed; for our end came.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Sade. Our steps have slipped in the way of our streets, our end draweth near: our days are fulfilled, for our end is come. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />SADE. Our footsteps have slipped on the paths of our own streets. Our end draws near. Our days have been completed, for our end has arrived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They dogged our every step, we could not walk in our squares; Our end drew near, our time was up; yes, our end had come. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They dogged our steps so that we could not walk in our streets; our end drew near; our days were numbered; for our end had come.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They hunt for the little people and for those who walk in the streets; our end is near, our days are finished, for our time is come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Tsadhe They hunted for those broken in pieces, those walking in the streets. Our end has come; our days are full, because our time has come!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They hunt our steps, That we cannot go in our broad places; Our end is near, our days are fulfilled; For our end is come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />We have hunted <i>for</i> our little ones, that they should not walk in our streets. KOPH. Our time has drawn nigh, our days are fulfilled, our time is come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/4-18.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=1249" 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">17</span>All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6679.htm" title="6679: ṣā·ḏū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To hunt. A primitive root; to lie alongside; by implication, to catch an animal; to victual.">They stalked</a> <a href="/hebrew/6806.htm" title="6806: ṣə·‘ā·ḏê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- A step, pace. From tsantarah; a pace or regular step.">our every step,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: mil·le·ḵeṯ (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">so that we could not walk</a> <a href="/hebrew/7339.htm" title="7339: bir·ḥō·ḇō·ṯê·nū (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 1cp) -- A broad open place, plaza. Or rchowb; from rachab; a width, i.e. avenue or area.">in our streets.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7093.htm" title="7093: qiṣ·ṣê·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- End. Contracted from qatsats; an extremity; adverbially after.">Our end</a> <a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: qā·raḇ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">drew near,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">our time</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4390.htm" title="4390: mā·lə·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be full, to fill. Or malae; a primitive root, to fill or be full of, in a wide application.">ran out,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7093.htm" title="7093: qiṣ·ṣê·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- End. Contracted from qatsats; an extremity; adverbially after.">for our end</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ḇā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">had come!</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.…<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/16-16.htm">Jeremiah 16:16</a></span><br />But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/52-7.htm">Jeremiah 52:7-8</a></span><br />Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled the city by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, / but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-15.htm">Ezekiel 7:15-16</a></span><br />The sword is outside; plague and famine are within. Those in the country will die by the sword, and those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague. / The survivors will escape and live in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valley, each for his own iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-4.htm">2 Kings 25:4-5</a></span><br />Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, / but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/24-17.htm">Isaiah 24:17-18</a></span><br />Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of the earth. / Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Amos 5:19</a></span><br />It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/39-4.htm">Jeremiah 39:4-5</a></span><br />When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and they went out along the route to the Arabah. / But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-13.htm">Ezekiel 12:13</a></span><br />But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-6.htm">2 Samuel 22:6</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-16.htm">Matthew 24:16-18</a></span><br />then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20-21</a></span><br />But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-14.htm">Mark 13:14-16</a></span><br />So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-6.htm">Revelation 12:6</a></span><br />And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her to be nourished for 1,260 days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-14.htm">Revelation 12:14</a></span><br />But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.</p><p class="hdg">hunt</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/3-52.htm">Lamentations 3:52</a></b></br> Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14</a></b></br> After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/25-4.htm">2 Kings 25:4,5</a></b></br> And the city was broken up, and all the men of war <i>fled</i> by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which <i>is</i> by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees <i>were</i> against the city round about:) and <i>the king</i> went the way toward the plain… </p><p class="hdg">our end is near</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/1-12.htm">Jeremiah 1:12</a></b></br> Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/51-33.htm">Jeremiah 51:33</a></b></br> For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon <i>is</i> like a threshingfloor, <i>it is</i> time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/7-2.htm">Ezekiel 7:2-12</a></b></br> Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-57.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-66.htm">End</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-1.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-17.htm">Fulfilled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-16.htm">Hunt</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-52.htm">Hunted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-23.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-10.htm">Places</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">Step</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-32.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-14.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-2.htm">Walk</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/16-24.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-2.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-22.htm">End</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-15.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-2.htm">Fulfilled</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-18.htm">Hunt</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-21.htm">Hunted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-10.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-2.htm">Places</a> <a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Step</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-6.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-19.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-18.htm">Walk</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>They stalked our every step</b><br>This phrase reflects the intense surveillance and oppression faced by the people of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege. The Babylonians were relentless in their pursuit, akin to hunters tracking their prey. This imagery is consistent with the broader biblical narrative of Israel's enemies being likened to predators (<a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8-9</a>). The constant threat and pressure would have created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among the inhabitants.<p><b>so that we could not walk in our streets</b><br>The streets, once places of community and commerce, had become dangerous and desolate. This reflects the complete breakdown of social order and normal life due to the siege. Streets in ancient cities were central to daily life, and their loss signified the collapse of societal structures. This situation is reminiscent of the curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-52.htm">Deuteronomy 28:52</a>, where disobedience to God leads to cities being besieged and life being disrupted.<p><b>Our end drew near</b><br>This phrase indicates a sense of impending doom and the realization that the situation was beyond recovery. The people of Jerusalem recognized that their destruction was imminent, fulfilling the warnings of prophets like Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/25-8.htm">Jeremiah 25:8-11</a>). This acknowledgment of nearing the end can also be seen as a call to repentance and reflection on the nation's sins.<p><b>our time ran out</b><br>The notion of time running out suggests a divine timetable, where the period of grace and opportunity for repentance had expired. This aligns with the prophetic warnings that God’s patience has limits (<a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a>). The urgency of the moment underscores the seriousness of the consequences of turning away from God.<p><b>for our end had come!</b><br>This final phrase is a declaration of the fulfillment of prophetic judgment. The destruction of Jerusalem was not just a military defeat but a spiritual and existential crisis for the people. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, as outlined in <a href="/leviticus/26-14.htm">Leviticus 26:14-39</a>. This end also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and redemption narrative found in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ offers a path to salvation and restoration.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>- Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" who lamented the destruction of Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city under siege and destruction, representing the heart of Judah and the center of Jewish worship.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonians.htm">Babylonians</a></b><br>- The invading force that besieged and destroyed Jerusalem, fulfilling God's judgment against Judah for their disobedience.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>- The southern kingdom of Israel, whose people are experiencing the consequences of their rebellion against God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_judgment.htm">God's Judgment</a></b><br>- The overarching event where God allows the Babylonians to conquer Jerusalem as a consequence of the people's persistent sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Sin has real and devastating consequences, both individually and collectively. The destruction of Jerusalem serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of turning away from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>Even in judgment, God remains sovereign. The events described in Lamentations are not outside of God's control but are part of His divine plan to bring His people back to repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a></b><br>The lament highlights the need for genuine repentance. It is a call to examine our lives and turn back to God before reaching a point of no return.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_despair.htm">Hope Amidst Despair</a></b><br>While Lamentations is a book of sorrow, it also points to the hope of restoration. God's discipline is not the end but a means to bring His people back to Himself.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_lament_in_faith.htm">The Role of Lament in Faith</a></b><br>Lament is a valid and important expression of faith. It allows believers to bring their pain and confusion before God, trusting in His ultimate justice and mercy.<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/who_or_what_is_the_antichrist.htm">Who or what is the Antichrist?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_thess._4_13-18_contradict_other_end_times.htm">Does the teaching in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 contradict other passages that present different timelines or details for the end times?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_psalm_88_devoid_of_hope.htm">Why does Psalm 88 present unrelenting despair without any expression of hope, seeming to contradict other passages that emphasize God's deliverance (Psalm 88:1-3)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_self-pity.htm">What is the Bible's view on self-pity?</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>(18) <span class= "bld">They hunt our steps.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">They lie in wait. </span>The words probably point to the posts occupied here and there near the wide places of the city, which led people to avoid them through fear of being attacked. The only cry possible at such a time was that "all was over."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They hunt our steps,</span> etc. Realistic attempts to explain this line have not been wanting, but seem unsuccessful. The Chaldeans were either within the city or without. If within, they would not need literally to "hunt the steps" of the Jews; if without, they had not war engines adequate to shooting the inhabitants at some distance. Probably the expressions are metaphorical; they are similar to those used in <a href="/lamentations/3-52.htm">Lamentations 3:52</a>, immediately after which we meet with such a purely poetical phrase as, "They have cut off my life in the pit [Authorized Version, 'dungeon'], and cast a stone upon me" (see note on Lamentations 3:52-56). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/4-18.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">They stalked</span><br /><span class="heb">צָד֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6679.htm">Strong's 6679: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie alongside, to catch an animal, to victual</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our every step,</span><br /><span class="heb">צְעָדֵ֔ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṣə·‘ā·ḏê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6806.htm">Strong's 6806: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pace, regular step</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that we could not walk</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלֶּ֖כֶת</span> <span class="translit">(mil·le·ḵeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in our streets.</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּרְחֹבֹתֵ֑ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bir·ḥō·ḇō·ṯê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7339.htm">Strong's 7339: </a> </span><span class="str2">A broad open place, plaza</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Our end</span><br /><span class="heb">קִצֵּ֛ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(qiṣ·ṣê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7093.htm">Strong's 7093: </a> </span><span class="str2">An extremity, after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">drew near,</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרַ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(qā·raḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our time</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמֵ֖ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ran out,</span><br /><span class="heb">מָלְא֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(mā·lə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fill, be full of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for our end</span><br /><span class="heb">קִצֵּֽינוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(qiṣ·ṣê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7093.htm">Strong's 7093: </a> </span><span class="str2">An extremity, after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had come!</span><br /><span class="heb">בָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/4-18.htm">Lamentations 4:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/4-18.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 4:18 They hunt our steps so that we (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/4-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 4:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 4:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 4:19" /></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>