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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 5:5 We are closely pursued; we are weary and find no rest.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/5-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/25_Lam_05_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 5:5 - A Prayer for Restoration" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="We are closely pursued; we are weary and find no rest." /><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'; 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we are weary and find no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Those who pursue us are at our heels; we are exhausted but are given no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers are at our necks; we are weary; we are given no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />We are closely pursued; we are weary and find no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Our necks <i>are</i> under persecution: we labour, <i>and</i> have no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>They</i> pursue at our heels; We labor <i>and</i> have no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out, we are given no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Our pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out, there is no rest for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Our pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out, there is no rest for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Our pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out; there is no rest for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out, there is no rest for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We are closely pursued; we are tired, and no one offers us rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We are closely pursued; we are tired, and no one offers us rest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers are upon our necks: We are weary, and have no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We are terribly mistreated; we are worn out and can find no rest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers are upon our necks: we are weary, and have no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Our enemies] are breathing down our necks. We are worn out [and] not permitted to rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Driven hard like donkeys or camels, we are tired, but are allowed no rest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Our pursuers breathe down our necks; we are weary, but there is no rest for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />We are closely pursued; we are weary and find no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />We are pursued--they are breathing down our necks; we are weary and have no rest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers are on our necks; we are weary, and have no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Our necks are under persecution: we labor, and have no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Our pursuers are on our necks. We are weary, and have no rest. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For our neck we have been pursued, "" We have labored—there has been no rest for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For our neck we have been pursued, We have laboured -- there hath been no rest for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Upon our necks were we pursued: we labored and no rest to us.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />We were dragged by the necks, we were weary and no rest was given us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />We were dragged by our necks. Being weary, no rest was given to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />With a yoke on our necks, we are driven; we are worn out, but allowed no rest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />With a yoke on our necks we are hard driven; we are weary, we are given no rest.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Our necks are under yokes; we labor, and have no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They came for our necks; we were persecuted and we labor and we have no rest<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />To our very necks we are pursued; We labour, and have no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />we have been persecuted, we have laboured, we have had no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/5-5.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=1335" 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">4</span>We must buy the water we drink; our wood comes at a price. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">We are closely</a> <a href="/hebrew/6677.htm" title="6677: ṣaw·wā·rê·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- Or tsavvar; or tsavvaron; or tsavva.rah; intensively from tsuwr in the sense of binding; the back of the neck."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: nir·dā·p̄ə·nū (V-Nifal-Perf-1cp) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">pursued;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3021.htm" title="3021: yā·ḡa‘·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To toil, grow or be weary. A primitive root; properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil.">we are weary</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and find no</a> <a href="/hebrew/5117.htm" title="5117: hū·naḥ (V-Hofal-Perf-3ms) -- To rest, i.e. settle down">rest.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>We submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.…<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/1-13.htm">Exodus 1:13-14</a></span><br />They worked the Israelites ruthlessly / and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Deuteronomy 28:48</a></span><br />you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-23.htm">Isaiah 51:23</a></span><br />I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/28-14.htm">Jeremiah 28:14</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I have even given him control of the beasts of the field.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-36.htm">Nehemiah 9:36-37</a></span><br />So here we are today as slaves in the land You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness—here we are as slaves! / Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/66-11.htm">Psalm 66:11-12</a></span><br />You led us into the net; You laid burdens on our backs. / You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us into abundance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-3.htm">Isaiah 14:3</a></span><br />On the day that the LORD gives you rest from your pain and torment, and from the hard labor into which you were forced,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14</a></span><br />Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why then has he become prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-27.htm">Ezekiel 34:27</a></span><br />The trees of the field will give their fruit, and the land will yield its produce; My flock will be secure in their land. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and delivered them from the hands that enslaved them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7</a></span><br />All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a></span><br />Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a></span><br />For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a></span><br />It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-1.htm">Hebrews 12:1</a></span><br />Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">2 Corinthians 4:8-9</a></span><br />We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Our necks are under persecution: we labor, and have no rest.</p><p class="hdg">our necks are under persecution.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/1-14.htm">Lamentations 1:14</a></b></br> The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, <i>and</i> come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into <i>their</i> hands, <i>from whom</i> I am not able to rise up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19</a></b></br> Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Deuteronomy 28:48,65,66</a></b></br> Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all <i>things</i>: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee… </p><p class="hdg">labour</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/9-36.htm">Nehemiah 9:36,37</a></b></br> Behold, we <i>are</i> servants this day, and <i>for</i> the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we <i>are</i> servants in it: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/4-12.htm">Attackers</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-2.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-9.htm">Find</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-52.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-22.htm">Heels</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Labour</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-14.htm">Neck</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-8.htm">Necks</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-6.htm">Persecution</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-66.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-49.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-5.htm">Weariness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-64.htm">Weary</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-4.htm">Worn</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-27.htm">Yoke</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/39-23.htm">Attackers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-46.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-1.htm">Find</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-15.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/daniel/11-43.htm">Heels</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-29.htm">Labour</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-11.htm">Neck</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-29.htm">Necks</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-9.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/matthew/5-10.htm">Persecution</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-14.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/hosea/2-7.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/joshua/2-7.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-21.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/daniel/9-21.htm">Weariness</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Weary</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-43.htm">Worn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-18.htm">Yoke</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 are closely pursued;</b><br>This phrase reflects the intense pressure and relentless pursuit faced by the people of Judah during the Babylonian conquest. Historically, the Babylonians were known for their military prowess and strategic sieges, which left the inhabitants of Jerusalem with little chance of escape. This pursuit can be seen as a fulfillment of the warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah, who foretold the consequences of the nation's disobedience (<a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Jeremiah 4:13</a>). The imagery of being pursued is also reminiscent of the Israelites' experience during the Exodus when they were chased by Pharaoh's army (<a href="/exodus/14-9.htm">Exodus 14:9</a>), highlighting a recurring theme of God's people facing oppression.<p><b>we are weary</b><br>The weariness described here is both physical and spiritual. The constant threat of capture and the harsh conditions of siege warfare would have left the people exhausted. This weariness is compounded by the spiritual desolation felt due to the perceived distance from God, as the covenant relationship seemed broken. In a broader biblical context, weariness is often associated with the burdens of sin and the need for divine intervention (<a href="/isaiah/40-30.htm">Isaiah 40:30-31</a>). Jesus Christ offers rest to the weary, as seen in <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28</a>, providing a type of relief that transcends physical exhaustion.<p><b>and find no rest.</b><br>The lack of rest signifies a deep sense of unrest and turmoil, both in the immediate context of the Babylonian exile and in the broader spiritual sense. Rest in the Old Testament is often associated with the peace and security found in God's presence (<a href="/psalms/95-11.htm">Psalm 95:11</a>). The absence of rest here underscores the separation from God due to the nation's sins. This phrase also points forward to the ultimate rest found in Christ, who offers eternal peace and reconciliation with God (<a href="/hebrews/4-9.htm">Hebrews 4:9-10</a>). The longing for rest reflects humanity's innate desire for the peace that only God can provide, a theme that runs throughout Scripture.<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 B.C., 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 was a time of great suffering and reflection for the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The Israelites' suffering was a direct result of their disobedience to God. This serves as a reminder of the importance of living in accordance with God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_human_suffering.htm">The Reality of Human Suffering</a></b><br><a href="/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5</a> acknowledges the reality of human suffering and weariness. It encourages believers to be honest about their struggles and to seek God's comfort.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_rest_in_god.htm">The Pursuit of Rest in God</a></b><br>While the Israelites found no rest, believers today are invited to find rest in Christ. This rest is not just physical but spiritual, offering peace and renewal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_trials.htm">Perseverance in Trials</a></b><br>The verse highlights the need for perseverance during difficult times. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in faith, trusting that God will provide relief and restoration.<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/does_lam_5_7_conflict_with_deut_24_16.htm">Lamentations 5:7 indicates suffering for ancestors' sins--does this conflict with Deuteronomy 24:16's emphasis on individual responsibility?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_james_5_9_with_lament_psalms.htm">In James 5:9, how can believers reconcile the warning against grumbling with other biblical passages that encourage honest lament or complaint (e.g., in the Psalms)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_lam_5_19_reconcile_divine_absence.htm">Lamentations 5:19 affirms God's eternal rule--how is this reconcilable with apparent divine absence in the face of the city's ruin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_find_hope_in_despair.htm">How can I find rest from my burdens?</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>(5) <span class= "bld">Our necks are under persecution.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">were under pursuit: i.e., </span>the enemies were pressing close on them, always, as in our English phrase, at their very heels.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Our necks are under persecution</span>. Persecution is here compared to a yoke. But this rendering and explanation hardly suit the phrase, which rather means, "<span class="accented">We</span> are pursued close upon our necks." The harassing conduct of the Babylonian conquerors is compared to the pursuit of a foe fast gaining upon a fugitive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/5-5.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 are closely</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֤ל</span> <span class="translit">(‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pursued;</span><br /><span class="heb">נִרְדָּ֔פְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(nir·dā·p̄ə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we are weary</span><br /><span class="heb">יָגַ֖עְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḡa‘·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3021.htm">Strong's 3021: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gasp, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and find] no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rest.</span><br /><span class="heb">הֽוּנַ֖ח‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(hū·naḥ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5117.htm">Strong's 5117: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rest, settle down</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/5-5.htm">Lamentations 5:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/5-5.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 5:5 Our pursuers are on our necks: We (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/5-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 5:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 5:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/5-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 5:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 5:6" /></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>