King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, [and] no man breaketh [it] unto them.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The tongue of the baby at the breast sticks to the roof of its mouth from thirst; young children are begging for bread, but no one is giving them any.
Berean Standard Bible:
The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.
American Standard Version:
The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: The young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The tongue{H3956} of the sucking child{H3243} cleaveth{H1692} to the roof of his mouth{H2441} for thirst{H6772}: the young children{H5768} ask{H7592} bread{H3899}, and no man breaketh{H6566} it unto them.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 22:15
- My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Lamentations 2:11
- Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.
Lamentations 2:12
- 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.
Lamentations 1:11
- All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.
Matthew 7:9
- Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Matthew 7:11
- If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Psalms 137:6
- If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Lamentations 4:4
Lamentations 4:4 is part of a larger poem found in the book of Lamentations, which is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. This verse poignantly captures the depth of suffering experienced by the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege and subsequent destruction of the city in 586 BCE. The historical context is one of extreme famine and hardship brought about by the prolonged military campaign against the city.
The imagery in this verse is stark and heart-wrenching, focusing on the plight of the most vulnerable—infants and young children. The "tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst" vividly describes a baby so dehydrated that their tongue sticks to the roof of their mouth, a powerful depiction of the severe drought and lack of basic necessities. Similarly, the young children begging for bread, with no one to give it to them, emphasizes the breakdown of societal norms and the failure of the community to care for its youngest members, as able-bodied individuals would have been preoccupied with survival or incapacitated by the siege.
The themes of this verse include the harsh realities of war, the suffering of innocents, and the disintegration of social structures during times of crisis. It speaks to the desperation and hopelessness that can arise when a city and its people are besieged, and the most fundamental human needs—like food and water for children—go unmet. The verse also reflects the broader theological and moral questions posed throughout the book of Lamentations regarding the reasons for suffering, the nature of divine justice, and the human condition in the face of overwhelming 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: H3956
There are 115 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָשׁוֹן
Transliteration: lâshôwn
Pronunciation: law-shone'
Description: or לָשֹׁן; also (in plural) feminine לְשֹׁנָה; from לָשַׁן; the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water); [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. - Strong's Number: H3243
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָנַק
Transliteration: yânaq
Pronunciation: yaw-nak'
Description: a primitive root; to suck; causatively, to give milk; milch, nurse(-ing mother), (give, make to) suck(-ing child, -ling). - Strong's Number: H1692
There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבַק
Transliteration: dâbaq
Pronunciation: daw-bak'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit; abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take. - Strong's Number: H2441
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵךְ
Transliteration: chêk
Pronunciation: khake
Description: probably from חָנַךְ in the sense of tasting; properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing); (roof of the) mouth, taste. - Strong's Number: H6772
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָמָא
Transliteration: tsâmâʼ
Pronunciation: tsaw-maw'
Description: from צָמֵא; thirst (literally or figuratively); thirst(-y). - Strong's Number: H5768
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עוֹלֵל
Transliteration: ʻôwlêl
Pronunciation: o-lale'
Description: or עֹלָל; from עוּל; a suckling; babe, (young) child, infant, little one. - Strong's Number: H7592
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַל
Transliteration: shâʼal
Pronunciation: shaw-al'
Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. - Strong's Number: H3899
There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֶחֶם
Transliteration: lechem
Pronunciation: lekh'-em
Description: from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. - Strong's Number: H6566
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרַשׂ
Transliteration: pâras
Pronunciation: paw-ras'
Description: a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.; break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out).