King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders.
Complete Jewish Bible:
ADONAI himself scattered them; he will no longer look after them; they had no respect for cohanim and showed no kindness to the leaders.
Berean Standard Bible:
The presence of the LORD has scattered them; He regards them no more. The priests are shown no honor; the elders find no favor.
American Standard Version:
The anger of Jehovah hath scattered them; he will no more regard them: They respected not the persons of the priests, they favored not the elders.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The anger{H6440} of the LORD{H3068} hath divided{H2505} them; he will no more{H3254} regard{H5027} them: they respected{H5375} not the persons{H6440} of the priests{H3548}, they favoured{H2603} not the elders{H2205}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Lamentations 5:12
- Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.
Isaiah 9:14
- Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
Isaiah 9:16
- For the leaders of this people cause [them] to err; and [they that are] led of them [are] destroyed.
Deuteronomy 32:26
- ¶ I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:
Jeremiah 24:9
- And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.
Hebrews 8:9
- Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Deuteronomy 28:64
- And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, [even] wood and stone.
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Commentary for Lamentations 4:16
Lamentations 4:16 is part of the Book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, which mourns the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE by the Babylonians. This verse reflects on the divine judgment that has befallen the people of Judah. The text speaks to the theme of divine abandonment and societal breakdown as a result of God's anger. It suggests that the community has been fractured by God's wrath, and as a consequence, the social order has collapsed. The verse specifically mentions the disregard for the priests and elders, figures who would normally be respected and honored in Hebrew society. Their lack of respect indicates a complete overturning of the social and religious norms, which is a sign of the depth of the moral and spiritual crisis facing the nation.
In the historical context, this verse would resonate with the experience of the exiled Jews, who had witnessed the fall of their capital city, the destruction of the Temple, and the dismantling of their religious and political institutions. The abandonment by God implied in the verse would have been a profound theological challenge to the people, who believed in a covenant relationship with God that promised protection and prosperity in return for obedience and faithfulness. Lamentations 4:16 thus encapsulates the anguish of a people grappling with the reality of their devastation and seeking to understand their relationship with God in the light of their national tragedy.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H2505
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלַק
Transliteration: châlaq
Pronunciation: khaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate; deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er). - Strong's Number: H3254
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָסַף
Transliteration: yâçaph
Pronunciation: yaw-saf'
Description: a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing); add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. - Strong's Number: H5027
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָבַט
Transliteration: nâbaṭ
Pronunciation: naw-bat'
Description: a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care; (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see. - Strong's Number: H5375
There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשָׂא
Transliteration: nâsâʼ
Pronunciation: naw-saw'
Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. - Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H2603
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָנַן
Transliteration: chânan
Pronunciation: khaw-nan'
Description: a primitive root (compare חָנָה); properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition); beseech, [idiom] fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, [idiom] very. - Strong's Number: H2205
There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָקֵן
Transliteration: zâqên
Pronunciation: zaw-kane'
Description: from זָקֵן; old; aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator.