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Lamentations 2:21 Both young and old lie together in the dust of the streets. My young men and maidens have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of Your anger; You have slaughtered them without compassion.
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You have slain them in the day of your anger; you have slaughtered them without pity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“See them lying in the streets— young and old, boys and girls, killed by the swords of the enemy. You have killed them in your anger, slaughtering them without mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In the dust of the streets lie the young and the old; my young women and my young men have fallen by the sword; you have killed them in the day of your anger, slaughtering without pity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Both young and old lie together in the dust of the streets. My young men and maidens have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of Your anger; You have slaughtered them without compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain <i>them</i> in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, <i>and</i> not pitied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Young and old lie On the ground in the streets; My virgins and my young men Have fallen by the sword; You have slain <i>them</i> in the day of Your anger, You have slaughtered <i>and</i> not pitied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“On the ground in the streets Lie young and old; My virgins and my young men Have fallen by the sword. You have put <i>them</i> to death on the day of Your anger, You have slaughtered, without sparing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />On the ground in the streets Lie young and old; My virgins and my young men Have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of Your anger, You have slaughtered, not sparing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />On the ground in the streets Lie young and old, My virgins and my young men Have fallen by the sword. Thou hast slain <i>them</i> in the day of Thine anger, Thou hast slaughtered, not sparing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />On the ground in the streets Lie young and old; My virgins and my young men Have fallen by the sword. You have killed <i>them</i> in the day of Your anger; You have slaughtered, not sparing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The young and the old Lie on the ground in the streets; My virgins and my young men Have fallen by the sword. You have killed them in the day of Your anger, You have slaughtered, not sparing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Both young and old are lying on the ground in the streets. My young women and young men have fallen by the sword. You have killed them in the day of your anger, slaughtering without compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Both young and old are lying on the ground in the streets. My young men and women have fallen by the sword. You have killed them in the day of Your anger, slaughtering without compassion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The youth and the old man lie on the ground in the streets; My virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword: Thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast slaughtered, and not pitied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My people, both young and old, lie dead in the streets. Because you were angry, my young men and women were brutally slaughtered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The youth and the old man lie on the ground in the streets; my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword: thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast slaughtered, and not pitied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Young and old lie on the ground in the streets. My young women and men are cut down by swords. You killed them on the day of your anger. You slaughtered them without any pity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Young and old alike lie dead in the streets, Young men and women, killed by enemy swords. You slaughtered them without mercy on the day of your anger. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Young men and the aged lie on the ground in the streets; my young women and young men have fallen by the sword. You killed them in your anger, slaughtering them without pity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Both young and old lie together in the dust of the streets. My young men and maidens have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of Your anger; You have slaughtered them without compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The young boys and old men lie dead on the ground in the streets. My young women and my young men have fallen by the sword. You killed them when you were angry; you slaughtered them without mercy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The youth and the old man lie on the ground in the streets; my virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword. You have killed them in the day of your anger; you have slaughtered, without pity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thy anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“The youth and the old man lie on the ground in the streets. My virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword. You have killed them in the day of your anger. You have slaughtered, and not pitied. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Lain on the earth [in] out-places have young and old, "" My virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword, "" You have slain in a day of Your anger, "" You have slaughtered—You have not pitied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lain on the earth in out-places have young and old, My virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword, Thou hast slain in a day of Thine anger, Thou hast slaughtered -- Thou hast not pitied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The youth and old man lay down upon the earth of the streets; my virgins and my young men fell by the sword; thou didst slay in the day of thine anger; thou didst slay, thou didst not pity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Sin. The child and the old man lie without on the ground: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword: thou hast slain them in the day of thy wrath: thou hast killed, and shewn them no pity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />SIN. The boy and the old man lie down on the ground outside. My virgins and my youths have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of your fury. You have struck down, and you have not shown pity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They lie on the ground in the streets, young and old alike; Both my young women and young men are cut down by the sword; You killed them on the day of your wrath, slaughtered without pity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The young and the old are lying on the ground in the streets; my young women and my young men have fallen by the sword; in the day of your anger you have killed them, slaughtering without mercy.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets; my virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast slaughtered without pity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Shin Children and Elders sleep on the ground in the street. My virgins and my young men fell by the sword. You have killed in the day of your wrath! You have slaughtered and you showed no pity!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The youth and the old man lie On the ground in the streets; My virgins and my young men Are fallen by the sword; Thou hast slain them in the day of Thine anger; Thou hast slaughtered unsparingly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />CHSEN. The child and old man have lain down in the street: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity: thou hast slain <i>them</i> with the sword and with famine; in the day of thy wrath thou hast mangled <i>them</i>, thou has not spared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/2-21.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=663" 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/2.htm">God's Anger over Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Look, O LORD, and consider: Whom have You ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the infants they have nurtured? Should priests and prophets be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord? <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ar (N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">Both young</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: wə·zā·qên (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">and old</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: šā·ḵə·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">lie together</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: lā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in the dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: ḥū·ṣō·wṯ (N-mp) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">of the streets.</a> <a href="/hebrew/970.htm" title="970: ū·ḇa·ḥū·ray (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- A young man. Or bachur; participle passive of bachar; properly, selected, i.e. A youth.">My young men</a> <a href="/hebrew/1330.htm" title="1330: bə·ṯū·lō·ṯay (N-fpc:: 1cs) -- Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin; sometimes a bride; also a city or state.">and maidens</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: nā·p̄ə·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">have fallen</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḇe·ḥā·reḇ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">by the sword.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: hā·raḡ·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">You have slain them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bə·yō·wm (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">in the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap·pe·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">of Your anger;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2873.htm" title="2873: ṭā·ḇaḥ·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To slaughter, butcher, slay. A primitive root; to slaughter.">You have slaughtered them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/2550.htm" title="2550: ḥā·mā·lə·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To spare. A primitive root; to commiserate; by implication, to spare.">compassion.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>You summoned my attackers on every side, as for the day of an appointed feast. In the day of the LORD’s anger no one escaped or survived; my enemy has destroyed those I nurtured and reared.…<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/9-21.htm">Jeremiah 9:21</a></span><br />For death has climbed in through our windows; it has entered our fortresses to cut off the children from the streets, the young men from the town squares.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-11.htm">Jeremiah 6:11</a></span><br />But I am full of the LORD’s wrath; I am tired of holding it back. “Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the young men gathered together. For both husband and wife will be captured, the old and the very old alike.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/9-6.htm">Ezekiel 9:6</a></span><br />Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-16.htm">Isaiah 13:16</a></span><br />Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-17.htm">2 Chronicles 36:17</a></span><br />So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/15-8.htm">Jeremiah 15:8</a></span><br />I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. I will bring a destroyer at noon against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-21.htm">Jeremiah 18:21</a></span><br />Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-16.htm">Hosea 13:16</a></span><br />Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-25.htm">Deuteronomy 32:25</a></span><br />Outside, the sword will take their children, and inside, terror will strike the young man and the young woman, the infant and the gray-haired man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/8-12.htm">2 Kings 8:12</a></span><br />“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-19.htm">Matthew 24:19</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-44.htm">Luke 19:44</a></span><br />They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-41.htm">Matthew 21:41</a></span><br />“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of the fruit at harvest time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-8.htm">Revelation 18:8</a></span><br />Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-21.htm">Revelation 18:21</a></span><br />Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; you have slain them in the day of your anger; you have killed, and not pitied.</p><p class="hdg">young</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-50.htm">Deuteronomy 28:50</a></b></br> A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/6-21.htm">Joshua 6:21</a></b></br> And they utterly destroyed all that <i>was</i> in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a></b></br> Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.</p><p class="hdg">my virgins</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/1-15.htm">Lamentations 1:15,18</a></b></br> The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty <i>men</i> in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, <i>as</i> in a winepress… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63</a></b></br> The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/9-21.htm">Jeremiah 9:21</a></b></br> For death is come up into our windows, <i>and</i> is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, <i>and</i> the young men from the streets.</p><p class="hdg">thou hast killed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/2-2.htm">Lamentations 2:2,17</a></b></br> The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought <i>them</i> down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/3-43.htm">Lamentations 3:43</a></b></br> Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Isaiah 27:11</a></b></br> When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, <i>and</i> set them on fire: for it <i>is</i> a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/2-6.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-25.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-7.htm">Child</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-20.htm">Death</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-15.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-12.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-20.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-47.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Maidens</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-2.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-11.htm">Out-Places</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-17.htm">Pitied</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-2.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-20.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-10.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-8.htm">Slaughtering</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-2.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-17.htm">Sparing</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-8.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-20.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-8.htm">Together</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-17.htm">Unsparingly</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-4.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Young</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-22.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/lamentations/2-22.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-33.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Child</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Death</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-16.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-34.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-16.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-15.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-43.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-1.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-51.htm">Maidens</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-4.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-1.htm">Out-Places</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-32.htm">Pitied</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-32.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-43.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-21.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-39.htm">Slaughtering</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-43.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-17.htm">Sparing</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-1.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-11.htm">Together</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-43.htm">Unsparingly</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-11.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-1.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-27.htm">Young</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-27.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Lamentations 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/2-1.htm">Jeremiah laments the misery of Jerusalem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/2-20.htm">He complains thereof to 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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/2.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/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Both young and old lie together in the dust of the streets.</b><br>This phrase highlights the indiscriminate nature of the devastation in Jerusalem. The mention of "young and old" emphasizes the totality of the destruction, affecting all demographics. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the death of the elderly and the young together would signify a complete societal collapse, as both the wisdom of the elders and the potential of the youth are lost. The "dust of the streets" suggests a lack of proper burial, which was considered a great dishonor in Jewish tradition (<a href="/1_kings/14-11.htm">1 Kings 14:11</a>). This imagery reflects the severity of God's judgment and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/6-11.htm">Jeremiah 6:11</a>).<p><b>My young men and maidens have fallen by the sword.</b><br>The "young men and maidens" represent the strength and beauty of the nation, now cut down by violence. This phrase underscores the tragic loss of the future generation, which would have been the hope for rebuilding and continuation of the community. The "sword" is a common biblical symbol for war and divine judgment (<a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3-5</a>). This devastation was a direct consequence of the people's disobedience and failure to heed prophetic warnings (<a href="/jeremiah/25-8.htm">Jeremiah 25:8-11</a>).<p><b>You have slain them in the day of Your anger;</b><br>This part of the verse attributes the destruction directly to God's wrath. The "day of Your anger" refers to a specific time of divine judgment, often associated with the "Day of the Lord" in prophetic literature (<a href="/isaiah/13-9.htm">Isaiah 13:9</a>). This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where blessings and curses were contingent upon obedience (Deuteronomy 28). Theologically, it underscores God's holiness and justice, as well as the seriousness of sin.<p><b>You have slaughtered them without compassion.</b><br>The absence of "compassion" highlights the severity of the judgment. In the Hebrew context, compassion is a key attribute of God (<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6</a>), making its absence here particularly striking. This phrase serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of persistent rebellion against God. It also foreshadows the ultimate need for a savior who embodies both justice and mercy, pointing to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who bore the wrath of God on behalf of humanity (<a href="/romans/5-9.htm">Romans 5:9</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/y/young_and_old.htm">Young and Old</a></b><br>Represents the entire spectrum of society, indicating that the judgment of God was indiscriminate and affected all demographics.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/streets.htm">Streets</a></b><br>Symbolizes the public and visible nature of the calamity, where the devastation is evident to all.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/y/young_men_and_maidens.htm">Young Men and Maidens</a></b><br>Highlights the loss of the future generation, emphasizing the depth of the tragedy.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sword.htm">The Sword</a></b><br>A metaphor for war and divine judgment, indicating the means by which destruction came.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/day_of_your_anger.htm">Day of Your Anger</a></b><br>Refers to the time of God's judgment, a period when His wrath is poured out due to the people's sins.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_judgment.htm">The Universality of Judgment</a></b><br>God's judgment affects all, regardless of age or status. This serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the impartiality of divine justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The devastation described is a direct result of the people's disobedience. It underscores the importance of repentance and aligning with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_loss_of_future_generations.htm">The Loss of Future Generations</a></b><br>The mention of young men and maidens highlights the impact of sin on future generations. It calls us to consider how our actions today affect those who come after us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_righteous_anger.htm">God's Righteous Anger</a></b><br>While God's anger is fierce, it is also just. Understanding this helps us appreciate His holiness and the need for reverence and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_despair.htm">Hope Amidst Despair</a></b><br>Even in the midst of judgment, the book of Lamentations ultimately points to hope and restoration. This encourages us to seek God's mercy and trust in His redemptive plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_lamentations_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_nones_impact_bible_interpretation.htm">When is it appropriate to weep or laugh?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_mass_execution_in_ezekiel_9.htm">Are there any historical or archeological records supporting a mass execution in Jerusalem as described in Ezekiel 9? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_joshua_6_21_with_mercy.htm">How do we reconcile the mass killing commanded in this chapter with the Bible's teachings on mercy (Joshua 6:21)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_a_kind_god_allow_destruction.htm">How can a compassionate God (Lamentations 3:22) allow such overwhelming destruction in Jerusalem?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/lamentations/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">The young and the old . . .</span>--The thoughts of the mourner turn from the massacre in the sanctuary to the slaughter which did its dread work in every corner of the city.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/2-21.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">Both young</span><br /><span class="heb">נַ֣עַר</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and old</span><br /><span class="heb">וְזָקֵ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·zā·qên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lie together</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁכְב֨וּ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ḵə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the dust</span><br /><span class="heb">לָאָ֤רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the streets.</span><br /><span class="heb">חוּצוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḥū·ṣō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2351.htm">Strong's 2351: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My young men</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבַחוּרַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇa·ḥū·ray)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_970.htm">Strong's 970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Selected, a youth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and maidens</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתוּלֹתַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯū·lō·ṯay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1330.htm">Strong's 1330: </a> </span><span class="str2">A virgin, sometimes, a bride</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have fallen</span><br /><span class="heb">נָפְל֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(nā·p̄ə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the sword.</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶחָ֑רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ḇe·ḥā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You have slain [them]</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרַ֙גְתָּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·raḡ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the day</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּי֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<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">of Your anger;</span><br /><span class="heb">אַפֶּ֔ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ap·pe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You have slaughtered [them]</span><br /><span class="heb">טָבַ֖חְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṭā·ḇaḥ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2873.htm">Strong's 2873: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slaughter, butcher, slay</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">compassion.</span><br /><span class="heb">חָמָֽלְתָּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·mā·lə·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2550.htm">Strong's 2550: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commiserate, to spare</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 2:21 The youth and the old man lie (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/2-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 2:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 2:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/2-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 2:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 2:22" /></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>