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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 5:3 We have become fatherless orphans; our mothers are widows.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/5-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/25_Lam_05_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 5:3 - A Prayer for Restoration" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="We have become fatherless orphans; our mothers are widows." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/lamentations/5-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/lamentations/5-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/lamentations/">Lamentations</a> > <a href="/lamentations/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/lamentations/5-2.htm" title="Lamentations 5:2">◄</a> Lamentations 5:3 <a href="/lamentations/5-4.htm" title="Lamentations 5:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/lamentations/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/lamentations/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />We have become fatherless, our mothers are widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />We are orphaned and fatherless. Our mothers are widowed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />We have become fatherless orphans; our mothers are widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers <i>are</i> as widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />We have become orphans and waifs, Our mothers <i>are</i> like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />We have become orphans, without a father; Our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />We have become orphans without a father, Our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />We have become orphans without a father, Our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />We have become orphans without a father; Our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />We have become orphans without a father; Our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are widows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />We are orphans and fatherless; Our mothers are as widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We are like children whose mothers are widows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />We are orphans without a father. Our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Our fathers have been killed by the enemy, and now our mothers are widows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />We are now orphans—without fathers— and our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />We have become fatherless orphans; our mothers are widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />We have become fatherless orphans; our mothers have become widows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />We are orphans and fatherless. Our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />We are orphans and fatherless. Our mothers are as widows. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Orphans we have been—without a father, our mothers [are] as widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Orphans we have been -- without a father, our mothers are as widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />We were orphans, no father; our mothers as widows.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />We are become orphans without a father: our mothers are as widows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />We have become orphans without a father; our mothers are like widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />We have become orphans, without fathers; our mothers are like widows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />We have become orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />We were orphans without a father, and our mothers were as widows<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />We are become orphans and fatherless, Our mothers are as widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />we are become orphans, we have no father, our mothers are as widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/5-3.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=1325" 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/5.htm">A Prayer for Restoration</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yî·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">We have become</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ʾēn (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">fatherless</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’āḇ (N-ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3490.htm" title="3490: yə·ṯō·w·mîm (N-mp) -- An orphan. From an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved person.">orphans;</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·mō·ṯê·nū (N-fpc:: 1cp) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">our mothers</a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: kə·’al·mā·nō·wṯ (Prep-k:: N-fp) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place.">are widows.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>We must buy the water we drink; our wood comes at a price.…<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="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22</a></span><br />You must not mistreat any widow or orphan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a></span><br />He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a></span><br />A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a></span><br />Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a></span><br />Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/49-11.htm">Jeremiah 49:11</a></span><br />Abandon your orphans; I will preserve their lives. Let your widows trust in Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-3.htm">Hosea 14:3</a></span><br />Assyria will not save us, nor will we ride on horses. We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our own hands. For in You the fatherless find compassion.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/29-12.htm">Job 29:12</a></span><br />because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/146-9.htm">Psalm 146:9</a></span><br />The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-18.htm">John 14:18</a></span><br />I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-17.htm">Isaiah 9:17</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-2.htm">Isaiah 10:2</a></span><br />to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a></span><br />“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-24.htm">Exodus 22:24</a></b></br> And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/18-21.htm">Jeremiah 18:21</a></b></br> Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their <i>blood</i> by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and <i>be</i> widows; and let their men be put to death; <i>let</i> their young men <i>be</i> slain by the sword in battle.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/14-3.htm">Hosea 14:3</a></b></br> Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, <i>Ye are</i> our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/4-10.htm">Children</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-11.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-7.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">Mothers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-11.htm">Orphans</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-11.htm">Widows</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Children</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-7.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-7.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/hosea/10-14.htm">Mothers</a> <a href="/john/14-18.htm">Orphans</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-7.htm">Widows</a><div class="vheading2">Lamentations 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/5-1.htm">A complaint of Zion in prayer unto God.</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/5.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/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>We have become fatherless orphans;</b><br>This phrase reflects the deep sense of loss and vulnerability experienced by the people of Judah following the Babylonian conquest. In ancient Near Eastern culture, being fatherless was synonymous with being defenseless and without provision, as the father was the primary provider and protector of the family. The imagery of orphans is used throughout Scripture to describe a state of helplessness and need for divine intervention (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a>, <a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a>). Theologically, this can be seen as a call for reliance on God as the ultimate Father and protector, a theme echoed in the New Testament where believers are adopted as children of God (<a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a>).<p><b>our mothers are widows.</b><br>Widowhood in ancient Israel was a state of extreme vulnerability and social marginalization. Without a husband, a woman had limited means of support and protection, often relying on the community or extended family for survival. The Law of Moses included specific provisions for the care of widows, reflecting God's concern for their welfare (<a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a>, <a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a>). This phrase underscores the complete breakdown of societal structures and family units due to the exile. It also foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on the church's responsibility to care for widows (<a href="/1_timothy/5-3.htm">1 Timothy 5:3-16</a>). In a typological sense, the plight of widows can be seen as a metaphor for the church's dependence on Christ, the bridegroom, for sustenance and protection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>- Traditionally considered the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet." He lamented the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city that was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, leading to the exile of the Jewish people. This event is the backdrop for the book of Lamentations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>- The period during which the Jewish people were taken captive by the Babylonians. This event led to the social and familial disruptions described in Lamentations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_suffering.htm">Understanding Suffering</a></b><br>The verse highlights the deep suffering and social disruption caused by sin and judgment. It calls us to empathize with those who are suffering and to understand the broader consequences of societal sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_heart_for_the_vulnerable.htm">God's Heart for the Vulnerable</a></b><br>Throughout Scripture, God shows a special concern for orphans and widows. This verse reminds us of our responsibility to care for the vulnerable in our communities, reflecting God's heart.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_church.htm">The Role of the Church</a></b><br>The church is called to be a family to those who have lost theirs. This includes providing support, love, and practical help to those who are fatherless or widowed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_faithfulness.htm">Hope in God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Even in lament, there is hope. God remains faithful and compassionate, offering comfort and restoration to those who turn to Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_lamentations_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_adoption.htm">What does the Bible say regarding adoption?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_social_justice.htm">What defines social justice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_grigori_rasputin.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on justice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_orphans,_widows.htm">What does the Bible say about orphans and widows?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/lamentations/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Our mothers are as widows</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> their husbands, though living, were carried into exile, and they were as destitute as though they had been deprived of them by death. The Chaldee paraphrase gives the same meaning to the last clause also, "We are like orphans."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">We are orphans and fatherless;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "We are like the most desolate of beings," as the Targum already explains it. Hence in the next clause the mothers of Israel ere likened to widows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/5-3.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">We have become</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיִ֙ינוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fatherless</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">orphans;</span><br /><span class="heb">יְתוֹמִ֤ים</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ṯō·w·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3490.htm">Strong's 3490: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bereaved person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our mothers</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמֹּתֵ֖ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’im·mō·ṯê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are widows.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּאַלְמָנֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(kə·’al·mā·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> </span><span class="str2">A widow, a desolate place</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/5-3.htm">Lamentations 5:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/5-3.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 5:3 We are orphans and fatherless (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/5-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 5:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 5:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/5-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 5:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 5:4" /></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>