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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 2:12 They cry out to their mothers: "Where is the grain and wine?" as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/2-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/25_Lam_02_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 2:12 - God's Anger over Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They cry out to their mothers: Where is the grain and wine? as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers." /><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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They gasp for life as they collapse in their mothers’ arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They cry to their mothers, “Where is bread and wine?” as they faint like a wounded man in the streets of the city, as their life is poured out on their mothers’ bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They cry out to their mothers: “Where is the grain and wine?” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They say to their mothers, Where <i>is</i> corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They say to their mothers, “Where <i>is</i> grain and wine?” As they swoon like the wounded In the streets of the city, As their life is poured out In their mothers’ bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They say to their mothers, “Where is grain and wine?” As they faint like a wounded person In the streets of the city, As their lives are poured out In their mothers’ arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They say to their mothers, &#8220Where is grain and wine?&#8221 As they faint like a wounded man In the streets of the city, As their life is poured out On their mothers&#8217 bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They say to their mothers, “Where is grain and wine?” As they faint like a wounded man In the streets of the city, As their life is poured out On their mothers’ bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They say to their mothers, “Where is grain and wine?” As they faint like a wounded man In the open squares of the city, As their life is poured out On their mothers’ bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They cry to their mothers, “Where is grain and wine?” As they faint like a wounded man In the streets of the city, As their life [slips away and] is poured out In their mothers’ arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They cry out to their mothers, “Where is the grain and wine? ” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their life pours out in the arms of their mothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They cry out to their mothers: Where is the grain and wine? as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They say to their mothers, Where is grain and wine? When they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, When their soul is poured out into their mothers' bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A child begs its mother for food and drink, then blacks out like a wounded soldier lying in the street. The child slowly dies in its mother's arms. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul is poured out into their mothers' bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They're asking their mothers for some bread and wine as they faint like wounded people in the city streets. Their lives dwindle away in their mothers' arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Hungry and thirsty, they cry to their mothers; They fall in the streets as though they were wounded, And slowly die in their mothers' arms. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They ask their mothers, "Is there anything to eat or drink?" They faint in the streets of the city like wounded men. Their life ebbs away while they lie on their mother's bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Children say to their mothers, "Where are food and drink?" They faint like a wounded warrior in the city squares. They die slowly in their mothers' arms. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They tell their mothers, "Where is grain and wine?" When they faint as the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in their mothers' bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They cry out to their mothers: “Where is the grain and wine?” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They ask their mothers, “Where is grain and wine?” when they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul is poured out into their mothers’ bosom. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />To their mothers they say, "" “Where [are] grain and wine?” In their becoming feeble as a pierced one "" In the broad places of the city, "" In their soul pouring itself out into the bosom of their mothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> To their mothers they say, 'Where are corn and wine?' In their becoming feeble as a pierced one In the broad places of the city, In their soul pouring itself out into the bosom of their mothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To their mothers will they say, Where the grain and wine? in their languishing as the wounded in the broad places of the city, in the pouring out of their soul into their mothers bosom.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Lamed. They said to their mothers: Where is corn and wine? when they fainted away as the wounded in the streets of the city: when they breathed out their souls in the bosoms of their mothers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />LAMED. They said to their mothers, “Where is the wheat and the wine?” when they fell like the wounded in the streets of the city, when they breathed out their lives into the bosoms of their mothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They cry out to their mothers, “Where is bread and wine?” As they faint away like the wounded in the streets of the city, As their life is poured out in their mothers’ arms. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They cry to their mothers, “Where is bread and wine?” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their life is poured out on their mothers’ bosom.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They say to their mothers, Where is wheat and wine and butter? when they faint like the slain in the streets of the city, when their soul is poured out into their mother's bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Lamed To their mothers they say: “Where is the grain and the wine and the oil?”, when they were afflicted as the slain in the streets of the city, when their souls are poured out into the bosom of their mothers<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They say to their mothers: 'Where is corn and wine?' When they swoon as the wounded In the broad places of the city, When their soul is poured out Into their mothers' bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />LAMED. They said to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? while they fainted like wounded men in the streets of the city, while their souls were poured out into their mother's bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/2-12.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=518" 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">11</span>My eyes fail from weeping; I am churning within. My heart is poured out in grief over the destruction of the daughter of my people, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">They cry out</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: lə·’im·mō·ṯām (Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">to their mothers:</a> <a href="/hebrew/346.htm" title="346: ’ay·yêh (Interrog) -- Where?. Prolonged from 'ay; where?.">“Where</a> <a href="/hebrew/1715.htm" title="1715: dā·ḡān (N-ms) -- Corn, grain (of cereals). From dagah; properly, increase, i.e. Grain.">is the grain</a> <a href="/hebrew/3196.htm" title="3196: wā·yā·yin (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Wine. From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine; by implication, intoxication.">and wine?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5848.htm" title="5848: bə·hiṯ·‘aṭ·ṭə·p̄ām (Prep-b:: V-Hitpael-Inf:: 3mp) -- To shroud, clothe, to languish. A primitive root; to shroud, i.e. Clothe; hence to languish.">as they faint</a> <a href="/hebrew/2491.htm" title="2491: ke·ḥā·lāl (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Pierced, polluted. From chalal; pierced; figuratively, polluted.">like the wounded</a> <a href="/hebrew/7339.htm" title="7339: bir·ḥō·ḇō·wṯ (Prep-b:: N-mp) -- A broad open place, plaza. Or rchowb; from rachab; a width, i.e. avenue or area.">in the streets</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr (N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">of the city,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">as their lives</a> <a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: bə·hiš·tap·pêḵ (Prep-b:: V-Hitpael-Inf) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">fade away</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/2436.htm" title="2436: ḥêq (N-msc) -- Bosom. Or cheq; and chowq; from an unused root, apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom.">the arms</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·mō·ṯām (N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">of their mothers.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>What can I say for you? To what can I compare you, O Daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may console you, O Virgin Daughter of Zion? For your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can ever heal you?…<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="/deuteronomy/28-53.htm">Deuteronomy 28:53-57</a></span><br />Then you will eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you. / The most gentle and refined man among you will begrudge his brother, the wife he embraces, and the rest of his children who have survived, / refusing to share with any of them the flesh of his children he will eat because he has nothing left in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you within all your gates. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-18.htm">Jeremiah 14:18</a></span><br />If I go out to the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I enter the city, I see those ravaged by famine! For both prophet and priest travel to a land they do not know.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Jeremiah 19:9</a></span><br />I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh in the siege and distress inflicted on them by their enemies who seek their lives.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/5-10.htm">Ezekiel 5:10</a></span><br />As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your remnant to every wind.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-28.htm">2 Kings 6:28-29</a></span><br />Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’ / So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-20.htm">Isaiah 51:20</a></span><br />Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street, like an antelope in a net. They are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-10.htm">Hosea 4:10</a></span><br />They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have abandoned the LORD to give themselves<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-3.htm">Micah 3:3</a></span><br />You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/8-5.htm">Zechariah 8:5</a></span><br />And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”<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="/mark/13-17.htm">Mark 13:17</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/21-23.htm">Luke 21:23</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16</a></span><br />“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-25.htm">Matthew 27:25</a></span><br />All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-29.htm">Luke 23:29</a></span><br />Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.</p><p class="hdg">as the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/30-24.htm">Ezekiel 30:24</a></b></br> And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded <i>man</i>.</p><p class="hdg">soul</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm">Isaiah 53:12</a></b></br> Therefore will I divide him <i>a portion</i> with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/32-18.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-11.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-11.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">City</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-12.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-54.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-17.htm">Drained</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Faint</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-47.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-13.htm">Feeble</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-26.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/45-4.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-11.htm">Life</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-8.htm">Mothers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-1.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-26.htm">Open</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-49.htm">Pierced</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Places</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-12.htm">Pour</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-19.htm">Pouring</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-30.htm">Squares</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Swoon</a> <a href="/judges/4-21.htm">Swooned</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-15.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-52.htm">Wounded</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-18.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-15.htm">City</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-29.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-16.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-13.htm">Drained</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Faint</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-6.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-17.htm">Feeble</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-15.htm">Life</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-3.htm">Mothers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-45.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-16.htm">Open</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-13.htm">Pierced</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-6.htm">Places</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Pour</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-49.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/ezekiel/9-8.htm">Pouring</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-17.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-16.htm">Squares</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/nahum/3-11.htm">Swoon</a> <a href="/judges/4-21.htm">Swooned</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-7.htm">Wounded</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 />  <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/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>They cry out to their mothers:</b><br>This phrase captures the desperation and helplessness of the children during the siege of Jerusalem. In ancient Near Eastern culture, mothers were seen as primary caregivers, and the cry to their mothers signifies a deep sense of need and vulnerability. The imagery of children crying out highlights the severe impact of the Babylonian siege on the most innocent and defenseless members of society. This reflects the fulfillment of the curses for disobedience outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-53.htm">Deuteronomy 28:53</a>, where it is prophesied that during a siege, people would suffer extreme hunger.<p><b>“Where is the grain and wine?”</b><br>Grain and wine were staples of the diet in ancient Israel, symbolizing sustenance and joy. The absence of these essentials indicates a severe famine, a common consequence of prolonged sieges in the ancient world. This question underscores the dire conditions in Jerusalem, as prophesied in <a href="/jeremiah/14-18.htm">Jeremiah 14:18</a>, where the lack of food and drink is a sign of God's judgment. The mention of grain and wine also contrasts with the abundance promised in times of obedience (<a href="/deuteronomy/11-14.htm">Deuteronomy 11:14</a>).<p><b>as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city,</b><br>The comparison to the wounded suggests not only physical weakness due to starvation but also the trauma and suffering experienced during the siege. The streets, once places of community and commerce, have become scenes of despair and death. This imagery is reminiscent of the devastation described in <a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Jeremiah 19:9</a>, where the city is filled with the dead due to the siege. The fainting children symbolize the collapse of societal structures and the breakdown of normal life.<p><b>as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers.</b><br>This poignant image emphasizes the personal and familial tragedy of the siege. The arms of the mothers, typically a place of safety and comfort, become the setting for death and loss. This phrase highlights the reversal of expected roles, where mothers, unable to provide for or protect their children, witness their suffering and demise. It echoes the lament in <a href="/jeremiah/31-15.htm">Jeremiah 31:15</a>, where Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more. The fading of life in this context can also be seen as a type of Christ's suffering, where the innocent suffer for the sins of the people, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for humanity's redemption.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/c/children_of_jerusalem.htm">Children of Jerusalem</a></b><br>The verse depicts the suffering of the children during the siege of Jerusalem, highlighting their desperate cries for sustenance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mothers.htm">Mothers</a></b><br>The mothers are portrayed as helpless witnesses to their children's suffering, unable to provide for their basic needs.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/streets_of_the_city.htm">Streets of the City</a></b><br>The streets of Jerusalem serve as the setting for this tragic scene, emphasizing the widespread devastation and despair.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/siege_of_jerusalem.htm">Siege of Jerusalem</a></b><br>This event refers to the Babylonian siege that led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a pivotal moment in Jewish history.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophet_jeremiah.htm">Prophet Jeremiah</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah laments the destruction and suffering of his people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br><a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12</a> serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of turning away from God. It calls believers to examine their own lives for areas of disobedience and to seek repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_depth_of_human_suffering.htm">The Depth of Human Suffering</a></b><br>This verse vividly portrays the depth of human suffering and the impact of sin on innocent lives. It encourages Christians to have compassion for those in distress and to be active in providing relief and support.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_lament_in_faith.htm">The Role of Lament in Faith</a></b><br>Lamentations teaches that it is acceptable to bring our sorrows and questions before God. It encourages believers to express their grief and seek comfort in God's presence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_despair.htm">Hope Amidst Despair</a></b><br>While the verse depicts despair, the broader message of Lamentations points to hope in God's faithfulness. Believers are reminded to trust in God's promises even in the darkest times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community_support.htm">The Importance of Community Support</a></b><br>The imagery of children crying out to their mothers highlights the need for community and family support during crises. Christians are called to be a source of strength and encouragement to one another.<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/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_findings_match_lamentations_5_2's_ruin.htm">Lamentations 5:2 depicts a Jerusalem left desolate--do archaeological findings fully align with the extent of destruction described?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/leviticus_2_12-13__is_salt_consistently_required.htm">Leviticus 2:12-13: How consistent is the requirement to add salt with other scriptural instances that list different mandatory ingredients?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_daniel_fast.htm">What is the Daniel Fast?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">They say . . .</span>--The words seem to paint what was actually passing before the writer's eye, but may be the vivid present which represents the past. The children cried for food, and their mothers had none to give them. They were like wounded men at their last gasp, and breathed out their life as they clung in their despair to their mothers' breasts.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Corn</span>. Either in the sense of parched corn (comp. <a href="/leviticus/23-14.htm">Leviticus 23:14</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/17-17.htm">1 Samuel 17:17</a>; <a href="/proverbs/27-22.htm">Proverbs 27:22</a>) or a poetic expression for "bread" (comp. <a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Exodus 16:4</a>; Psalm or. 40) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/2-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They cry out</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹֽאמְר֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to their mothers:</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאִמֹּתָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’im·mō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine 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">“Where</span><br /><span class="heb">אַיֵּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ay·yêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_346.htm">Strong's 346: </a> </span><span class="str2">Where?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the grain</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּגָ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(dā·ḡān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1715.htm">Strong's 1715: </a> </span><span class="str2">Corn, grain (of cereals)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and wine?”</span><br /><span class="heb">וָיָ֑יִן</span> <span class="translit">(wā·yā·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3196.htm">Strong's 3196: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wine, intoxication</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as they faint</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהִֽתְעַטְּפָ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·hiṯ·‘aṭ·ṭə·p̄ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5848.htm">Strong's 5848: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shroud, clothe, to languish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like the wounded</span><br /><span class="heb">כֶּֽחָלָל֙</span> <span class="translit">(ke·ḥā·lāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pierced, polluted</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the streets</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּרְחֹב֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bir·ḥō·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7339.htm">Strong's 7339: </a> </span><span class="str2">A broad open place, plaza</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the city,</span><br /><span class="heb">עִ֔יר</span> <span class="translit">(‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as their lives</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשָׁ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">fade away</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהִשְׁתַּפֵּ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·hiš·tap·pêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the arms</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵ֖יק</span> <span class="translit">(ḥêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2436.htm">Strong's 2436: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bosom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of their mothers.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמֹּתָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’im·mō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/2-12.htm">Lamentations 2:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 2:12 They tell their mothers Where is grain (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 2:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 2:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/2-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 2:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 2:13" /></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>