Lamentations 1:4

KJV

The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she [is] in bitterness.

KJV (with Strong's)

The ways {H1870} of Zion {H6726} do mourn {H57}, because none come {H935} to the solemn feasts {H4150}: all her gates {H8179} are desolate {H8074}: her priests {H3548} sigh {H584}, her virgins {H1330} are afflicted {H3013}, and she is in bitterness {H4843}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The roads to Tziyon are mourning because no one comes to the festivals. Her gateways are all deserted, her cohanim are groaning, her unmarried girls are grieving -how bitter it is for her!

Berean Standard Bible

The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gates are deserted; her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she herself is bitter with anguish.

American Standard Version

The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn assembly; All her gates are desolate, her priests do sigh: Her virgins are afflicted, and she herself is in bitterness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 1:4 vividly portrays the utter devastation and profound sorrow that has befallen Jerusalem, personified as Zion, following its destruction and the exile of its inhabitants. The verse laments the cessation of vital religious life, marked by the absence of pilgrims at the solemn feasts, the desolate state of the city gates, and the deep suffering expressed through the sighing of priests and the affliction of virgins. It culminates in a powerful declaration of the city's overwhelming bitterness, encapsulating the pervasive grief and despair resulting from divine judgment and profound loss.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 1:4 is situated within the opening chapter of the book of Lamentations, a collection of five poetic laments mourning the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. This chapter, structured as an acrostic poem (though not perfectly maintained throughout), personifies Jerusalem as a desolate widow, "she who was full of people" ([Lamentations 1:1](/lamentations/1-1 "Lamentations 1:1 - Jerusalem's Desolation")), now abandoned and weeping. Verse 4 specifically details the internal collapse of the city's spiritual and social fabric, building upon the initial imagery of her solitude and the departure of her former allies. It moves from a broad picture of desolation to specific indicators of loss—the absence of worship, the emptiness of public spaces, and the suffering of key societal groups—thereby deepening the reader's understanding of the tragedy's scope.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Lamentations 1:4 is the catastrophic siege and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces, culminating in 586 BC. This event marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah, the burning of Solomon's Temple ([2_kings/25-9](/2-kings/25-9 "2 Kings 25:9 - Destruction of the Temple")), and the forced exile of its people. For ancient Israel, Jerusalem was not merely a capital city but the dwelling place of God's presence, the site of the Temple, and the destination for mandatory annual pilgrimages to "solemn feasts" (Passover, Weeks, Booths, as commanded in [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Three Annual Feasts")). The city gates were vital centers of commerce, legal proceedings, and social interaction. The cessation of these activities and the suffering of priests (who mediated between God and people) and virgins (representing the future generation and purity) underscored the complete collapse of religious, social, and national life, signifying a profound disruption of their covenant relationship with God.

* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 1:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it highlights the **Desolation of Worship**, emphasizing how the absence of pilgrims at the "solemn feasts" signifies the profound spiritual emptiness and the disruption of the covenant relationship. The vibrant communal worship, once central to Israelite identity, has ceased, leaving a spiritual void. Secondly, the verse underscores the **Loss of Communal Life and Order**, as "all her gates are desolate," symbolizing the breakdown of societal structures, trade, and legal justice. The city, once bustling, is now eerily silent. Finally, the suffering of "her priests sigh" and "her virgins are afflicted" points to the **Pervasive Grief and Suffering** that permeates all levels of society, from religious leaders to the most vulnerable. The concluding phrase, "and she is in bitterness," encapsulates the overwhelming anguish and despair, a direct consequence of disobedience and divine judgment, a theme consistently warned about by prophets like Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 7:13-15](/jeremiah/7-13 "Jeremiah 7:13-15 - Consequences of Disobedience")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ways (Hebrew, _derek'_):** This word, H1870, refers to a road (as trodden), but figuratively, it denotes a course of life or mode of action. In this context, "the ways of Zion" refers not just to physical paths leading to the city but metaphorically to the established customs, practices, and spiritual pilgrimages associated with Jerusalem, which are now in a state of mourning.
* **mourn (Hebrew, _ʼâbêl'_):** H57, derived from a root meaning "to lament," describes a state of deep, active grief, often public and associated with death or great calamity. Here, Zion's "ways" are personified as lamenting, underscoring the profound and pervasive sorrow that has settled over the entire city and its former religious life.
* **solemn feasts (Hebrew, _môwʻêd'_):** H4150, properly an "appointment," specifically refers to a fixed time or season, a festival, or an assembly convened for a definite purpose. These were the mandated annual pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Weeks, Booths) where all Israelite males were required to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. Their absence signifies the utter collapse of worship and the covenant relationship.
* **desolate (Hebrew, _shâmêm'_):** H8074, a primitive root meaning "to stun" or "grow numb," implies devastation, emptiness, and a state of being waste. Applied to the gates, it paints a stark picture of abandonment and ruin, where vibrant life and activity once thrived, highlighting the complete cessation of normal civic and religious life.
* **bitterness (Hebrew, _mârar'_):** H4843, a primitive root meaning "to trickle," but used as a denominative from "mar" (bitter), means to be or make bitter. It conveys severe grief, sorrow, and distress, denoting a painful and unpalatable experience. This word encapsulates the deep, internal suffering and anguish experienced by Zion, a bitter consequence of her unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The ways of Zion do mourn":** This striking personification immediately sets a tone of profound grief. The very paths and routes leading to Jerusalem, once bustling with pilgrims and vibrant activity, are depicted as lamenting. This signifies the cessation of spiritual journeys and the profound emptiness that has replaced the former vitality associated with the holy city.
* **"because none come to the solemn feasts":** This clause provides the direct reason for Zion's mourning. The absence of worshippers at the divinely appointed annual festivals—Passover, Weeks, and Booths—is a catastrophic indicator of spiritual and national collapse. These feasts were central to Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God, and their abandonment underscores the depth of the desolation.
* **"all her gates are desolate":** The city gates were not merely entry points but vital hubs of civic life, commerce, legal proceedings, and social interaction. Their desolation signifies the complete breakdown of civil order, economic activity, and communal gathering, leaving the city deserted and without its former vibrancy.
* **"her priests sigh":** The priests, who were intermediaries between God and the people, responsible for sacrifices and teaching the law, are depicted as sighing. This indicates their deep grief and despair over the destruction of the Temple, the cessation of their sacred duties, and the spiritual plight of the nation. Their sighing reflects the profound spiritual loss.
* **"her virgins are afflicted":** Virgins represent purity, the future generation, and often the most vulnerable segment of society. Their affliction speaks to the widespread suffering that spares no one, even those traditionally protected. It also hints at the loss of hope for the future and the violation of innocence in the aftermath of the city's fall.
* **"and she is in bitterness":** This concluding phrase summarizes the overwhelming emotional state of Zion. "Bitterness" here is a deep, agonizing sorrow, a pervasive sense of pain and despair that saturates the entire entity of Jerusalem, reflecting the severe consequences of her actions and the judgment she has endured.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 1:4 is rich with literary artistry, primarily employing **Personification** to convey the depth of Jerusalem's suffering. "The ways of Zion do mourn" is a powerful example, attributing human emotion to inanimate paths, thereby emphasizing the pervasive nature of grief that affects even the physical landscape. The city itself is personified as "she," experiencing "bitterness." **Metonymy** is also present, where "the ways of Zion" stand for the pilgrims and activities that once filled them, and "her gates" represent the entire civic and social life of the city. The accumulation of specific details—the absence of feasts, desolate gates, sighing priests, afflicted virgins—creates vivid **Imagery** of a city utterly broken and abandoned. The overall tone is one of profound **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for the suffering city and its inhabitants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 1:4 profoundly illustrates the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and divine judgment. It underscores God's holiness and justice, demonstrating that His warnings through the prophets are not idle threats. The desolation of Zion, particularly the cessation of the solemn feasts, highlights the tragic outcome when a people turn away from the worship and ways of God. It serves as a stark reminder that true spiritual vitality is found in faithful adherence to God's commands and active participation in corporate worship. Yet, even in this raw expression of grief, the act of lament itself is a theological act, acknowledging God's sovereignty and justice, and implicitly holding onto the hope that He is also merciful and faithful to His promises, even when His people are not. The very act of mourning implies a recognition of what has been lost and a longing for what should be, setting the stage for future repentance and restoration.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7-1 "Jeremiah 7:1-15 - The Temple Sermon and Warning")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Mercies are New Every Morning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 1:4 offers a sobering reflection on the profound spiritual and societal consequences of neglecting God's ways and abandoning corporate worship. In our contemporary context, while we may not face literal physical destruction of our places of worship, the verse serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual desolation that can creep into individual lives and communities when God is marginalized. It challenges us to examine the vitality of our own spiritual practices and the health of our communal worship. Are our "ways" mourning because we have ceased to "come to the solemn feasts" of genuine encounter with God? Is there a desolation in our spiritual "gates" where vibrant fellowship and service once thrived? The sighing of priests and affliction of virgins can represent the spiritual leaders and vulnerable members of our communities who suffer when the collective body drifts from God. This verse calls us to a renewed appreciation for the centrality of worship, the importance of spiritual disciplines, and the necessity of communal life rooted in God's truth. It reminds us that spiritual decline leads to a pervasive "bitterness" that affects every aspect of life, urging us to seek God's face and return to His life-giving presence before such desolation takes root.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our "ways" (our daily routines, priorities, and spiritual habits) be "mourning" due to a neglect of spiritual disciplines or communal worship?**
* **What does the "desolation of gates" look like in our modern churches or communities, and how can we work towards restoring vibrancy and purpose?**
* **How does the "sighing of priests" and "affliction of virgins" resonate with the spiritual burdens carried by leaders and the struggles faced by the vulnerable in our society today?**
* **What "bitterness" might we be experiencing, individually or communally, that could be a result of spiritual distance from God?**

### FAQ

**What were the "solemn feasts" mentioned in Lamentations 1:4, and why was their absence so significant?**

Answer: The "solemn feasts" (Hebrew: _môwʻêd_) refer to the three annual pilgrimage festivals commanded by God in the Old Testament: Passover, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles). During these times, all Israelite males were required to travel to Jerusalem to appear before the Lord at the Lord at the Temple. Their absence, as lamented in [Lamentations 1:4](/lamentations/1-4 "Lamentations 1:4 - The Ways of Zion Mourn"), was profoundly significant because it symbolized the complete cessation of corporate worship, the disruption of the covenant relationship between God and His people, and the utter desolation of Jerusalem. It meant the spiritual heart of the nation had stopped beating, and the joyous communal expressions of faith and gratitude had been silenced due to divine judgment and the city's destruction.

**How does the personification of Zion as a mourning woman contribute to the message of Lamentations?**

Answer: The personification of Zion (Jerusalem) as a mourning woman, a desolate widow, or an afflicted virgin throughout Lamentations, particularly evident in [Lamentations 1:1](/lamentations/1-1 "Lamentations 1:1 - Jerusalem's Desolation") and [Lamentations 1:4](/lamentations/1-4 "Lamentations 1:4 - The Ways of Zion Mourn"), is a powerful literary device that allows the reader to empathize deeply with the city's suffering. By attributing human emotions like mourning, sighing, and bitterness to Jerusalem, the prophet conveys the profound grief, shame, and despair experienced by its inhabitants. This personification makes the abstract concept of a destroyed city tangible and relatable, transforming it into a living entity that feels pain, thereby intensifying the emotional impact of the lament and highlighting the catastrophic nature of God's judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 1:4, with its poignant depiction of a desolate Zion, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the perpetuation of sorrow but in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "ways of Zion" mourned because none came to the "solemn feasts," signifying the end of the Old Covenant system of worship centered on the Temple and its rituals. However, Christ Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")), speaking of the temple of His body. He is the true Temple ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity. The desolation of Jerusalem's gates and the sighing of her priests foreshadow the end of a system that could not perfectly atone for sin. Jesus, the Great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")), offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, establishing a new covenant where access to God is no longer limited to a physical temple or specific feasts but is open to all who believe ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ")). The "bitterness" of Zion, a consequence of sin, is swallowed up by the bitter cup that Christ drank on the cross ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")), taking upon Himself the full weight of humanity's sin and its resulting judgment. Through His death and resurrection, He inaugurated a new spiritual Zion, the Church, where believers gather not for temporary feasts but in perpetual worship of the living God, no longer bound by the limitations of the old covenant but enjoying the fullness of life and joy found in Him ([Revelation 21:22-23](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22-23 - No Temple in New Jerusalem")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joel 1:8

¶ Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.

Joel 1:13

Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.

Jeremiah 9:11

And I will make Jerusalem heaps, [and] a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.

Jeremiah 14:2

Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

Jeremiah 10:22

Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, [and] a den of dragons.

Lamentations 2:6

And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as [if it were of] a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.

Lamentations 2:7

The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.