Lamentations 2:20

KJV

Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, [and] children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold {H7200}, O LORD {H3068}, and consider {H5027} to whom thou hast done {H5953} this {H3541}. Shall the women {H802} eat {H398} their fruit {H6529}, and children {H5768} of a span long {H2949}? shall the priest {H3548} and the prophet {H5030} be slain {H2026} in the sanctuary {H4720} of the Lord {H136}?

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI, look and see who it is you have thus tormented! Should women eat the fruit of their wombs, the children they have held in their hands? Should cohanim and prophets be slaughtered in the sanctuary of Adonai?

Berean Standard Bible

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?

American Standard Version

See, O Jehovah, and behold to whom thou hast done thus! Shall the women eat their fruit, the children that are dandled in the hands? Shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 2:20 presents a harrowing and desperate plea from the prophet to the LORD, vividly portraying the unimaginable atrocities endured during Jerusalem's siege and subsequent fall. It graphically details the ultimate horror of famine-induced cannibalism, where women are driven to consume their own infants, and the profound sacrilege of priests and prophets being slaughtered within the very sanctuary of the Lord. This verse serves as a climactic lament, questioning divine action and appealing for God's compassionate attention in the face of unparalleled human suffering and the desecration of all that was sacred.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 2:20 is situated within the second chapter of Lamentations, which attributes Jerusalem's devastation directly to the LORD's active judgment. Unlike Chapter 1, which laments the city's desolate state, Chapter 2 employs strong, active verbs to describe God's wrath as the primary agent of destruction. The verses immediately preceding this one depict widespread death and starvation, with children and infants perishing in the streets and in their mothers' arms, as seen in the heart-wrenching imagery of [Lamentations 2:11-12](/lamentations/2-11-12 "Lamentations 2:11-12 - Children Fainting in the Streets"). Verse 20 intensifies this horror, moving from general suffering to the most extreme and taboo acts, directly appealing to God to "Behold, O LORD, and consider" the full extent of the calamity He has brought or allowed. It functions as a climactic expression of despair and a direct, anguished challenge to the divine presence, underscoring the depth of the covenant curses fulfilled.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Lamentations is the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC. This event involved a prolonged and brutal siege, culminating in the destruction of the First Temple and the forced exile of the Jewish people. Beyond a military defeat, it represented a profound theological crisis for Israel, challenging their understanding of God's covenant faithfulness and His dwelling among them. The siege led to extreme famine, disease, and desperation, vividly documented throughout the book. Culturally, the act of parents consuming their children was the ultimate taboo, a sign of utter societal collapse and a dire curse explicitly prophesied for covenant disobedience in passages such as [Deuteronomy 28:53](/deuteronomy/28-53 "Deuteronomy 28:53 - The Curse of Cannibalism in Siege") and [Leviticus 26:29](/leviticus/26-29 "Leviticus 26:29 - Consequences of Disobedience and Cannibalism"). The slaying of priests and prophets within the sanctuary was an act of profound sacrilege, violating the sanctity of the holy place and the sacred office, signifying the complete breakdown of divine protection and human order.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 2:20 encapsulates several major themes prevalent throughout the entire book. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, where God's righteous wrath against persistent sin and covenant unfaithfulness is fully realized, leading to unprecedented suffering. This judgment is so severe that it results in **Unimaginable Suffering and Desperation**, pushing humanity to the very brink of survival, as evidenced by the horrifying act of cannibalism. The verse also highlights the theme of **Sacrilege and Profanity**, where the holy city, the sacred Temple, and even God's consecrated servants (priests and prophets) are subjected to violence and desecration, signifying the complete removal of God's protective hand and the violation of all that was considered sacred. Finally, despite the overwhelming despair, there is an underlying theme of **Desperate Appeal to God**, as the prophet cries out to the LORD to "Behold, and consider," demonstrating that even in the darkest moments, the only recourse is to turn to the very God who has brought the judgment, seeking His attention and perhaps, ultimately, His compassion, a theme of enduring hope echoed in [Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21-23 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - The Steadfast Love of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Done (Hebrew, _ʻâlal'_):** From H5953, this word implies more than a simple action. It means "to effect thoroughly," and in a negative context, "to maltreat, abuse, or impose." When the prophet asks, "to whom thou hast done this," the underlying Hebrew suggests a profound questioning of God's active, thorough, and devastating role in allowing or inflicting such severe abuse and suffering upon His people. It conveys a sense of God's comprehensive work of judgment, not merely a passive allowance of events.
* **Span long (Hebrew, _ṭippuch'_):** From H2949, this term refers to a "nursing" or "span-long" child, indicating an infant or a very young child, perhaps only nine inches long (the length of a hand span). The inclusion of this detail intensifies the horror of the cannibalism described, emphasizing the extreme vulnerability and innocence of the victims. This specificity makes the act even more heinous and the suffering more poignant, underscoring the utter desperation that would drive mothers to such an unthinkable act.
* **Sanctuary (Hebrew, _miqdâsh'_):** From H4720, this word denotes a "consecrated thing or place," specifically a "holy place" or "sanctuary." The question, "shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?" highlights the profound sacrilege and desecration that occurred. The sanctuary was the very place of God's presence, where holiness was maintained. Its defilement by the shedding of innocent blood, especially of those consecrated to God's service, signifies the complete breakdown of the covenant relationship and the removal of divine protection from even the holiest of spaces.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this."**: This opening clause is a direct, desperate plea to God. The prophet, speaking on behalf of the suffering community, implores the LORD (using the covenant name YHWH, H3068, emphasizing His relational aspect) to actively witness and acknowledge the unparalleled suffering. The phrase "to whom thou hast done this" uses the Hebrew word `ʻâlal` (H5953), which implies a thorough and severe action, suggesting that this calamity is not merely an unfortunate event but a direct consequence of God's judgment or His allowing of such extreme maltreatment. It is a cry for divine attention and compassion from the very source of their pain.
* **"Shall the women eat their fruit, [and] children of a span long?"**: This is a rhetorical question that expresses the deepest horror and moral outrage. "Their fruit" refers to their offspring, their own children. The added detail "children of a span long" (H2949, `ṭippuch`) emphasizes that these are infants or very young children, making the act of cannibalism even more ghastly and unthinkable. This question highlights the extreme famine and desperation that has driven mothers to violate the most fundamental human and natural bonds, fulfilling the dire curses of the covenant for disobedience.
* **"shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?"**: This second rhetorical question points to the profound sacrilege and desecration of holy persons and holy space. Priests (H3548, `kôhên`) and prophets (H5030, `nâbîyʼ`) were consecrated to God's service, and the sanctuary (H4720, `miqdâsh`) was the sacred dwelling place of the Lord (H136, `ʼĂdônây`). Their slaughter within this holy precinct signifies the complete breakdown of divine protection, the violation of sacred boundaries, and the utter profanity of the judgment. It underscores that even those dedicated to God and the very place of His presence were not spared from the devastating consequences of sin.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 2:20 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound sorrow and horror. The primary device is the **Rhetorical Question**, repeated twice ("Shall the women eat their fruit...?", "shall the priest and the prophet be slain...?"). These questions are not posed to elicit information but to express outrage, disbelief, and the unspeakable nature of the events, emphasizing that such atrocities should be unimaginable, yet they are tragically occurring. This is coupled with vivid and disturbing **Graphic Imagery**, particularly the depiction of mothers consuming their infants and holy figures being slain in the sanctuary. While literally true in the context of extreme siege, the imagery serves to shock the audience and underscore the ultimate depths of human suffering and divine judgment. The verse also powerfully evokes **Pathos**, appealing to the reader's emotions through the depiction of innocent suffering, the violation of natural bonds, and the desecration of the sacred. The opening plea, "Behold, O LORD, and consider," is an urgent cry for divine attention, laden with emotional anguish and a desperate appeal for divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 2:20 stands as a stark testament to the severity of God's judgment when His covenant people persistently rebel against Him. It underscores the biblical principle that disobedience carries dire consequences, fulfilling the curses outlined in the Mosaic Law. This verse reveals a God who is not merely merciful but also holy and just, willing to allow unimaginable suffering to bring about repentance and demonstrate the gravity of sin. It challenges simplistic notions of divine protection, showing that even the sacred Temple and its ministers are not immune to judgment when the people have forsaken their covenant obligations. The prophet's cry, though filled with anguish, is still directed to the LORD, indicating a deep-seated belief in God's ultimate sovereignty and the hope, however faint, that He might yet "consider" and show compassion.

* [Deuteronomy 28:53](/deuteronomy/28-53 "Prophecy of Cannibalism in Siege")
* [Jeremiah 19:9](/jeremiah/19-9 "Dire Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Leviticus 26:29](/leviticus/26-29 "Warnings of Famine and Cannibalism")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 2:20 confronts us with the profound and terrifying consequences of sin and rebellion against a holy God. It serves as a sobering reminder that God's justice is as real as His mercy, and that turning away from His ways can lead to unimaginable societal and personal brokenness. For us today, this verse calls for deep introspection: Are there areas in our lives, our communities, or our nations where we have neglected God's commands, ignored His warnings, or profaned what is holy? It compels us to cultivate a profound reverence for God's holiness and to take seriously the call to repentance and obedience. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider the suffering in our world, whether from natural disaster, conflict, or moral decay, and to intercede with the same desperate earnestness as the prophet, seeking God's mercy and intervention. It also reminds us of the sanctity of human life, especially the most vulnerable, and the sacredness of places dedicated to God, urging us to protect and honor both.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does this verse reveal about the gravity of sin and its consequences, both individually and corporately?**
* **How does the prophet's desperate plea to "Behold, O LORD, and consider" inform our own prayers in times of suffering or perceived divine absence?**
* **In what ways might we, even unintentionally, "desecrate the sanctuary" or diminish the holiness of God's presence in our lives or communities today?**
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of God's character, particularly His justice alongside His mercy?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "children of a span long"?**

Answer: The phrase "children of a span long" (Hebrew: `ṭippuch`, H2949) specifically refers to infants or very young children, typically measuring about nine inches, the length of a human hand span. Its significance lies in intensifying the horror of the scene. By specifying such vulnerable, innocent victims, the prophet emphasizes the extreme and unthinkable depths of desperation to which the people of Jerusalem were driven by the prolonged siege and famine. It highlights the complete breakdown of natural human bonds and the ultimate violation of societal norms, making the suffering depicted even more poignant and shocking. This detail underscores the profound tragedy and the severity of the judgment.

**Why are priests and prophets mentioned specifically as being slain in the sanctuary?**

Answer: The mention of priests (H3548, `kôhên`) and prophets (H5030, `nâbîyʼ`) being slain in the sanctuary (H4720, `miqdâsh`) is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, priests and prophets were consecrated individuals, set apart for God's service, representing the spiritual leadership of Israel. Their death, especially in the holy place, signifies the utter collapse of religious order and the removal of divine protection from even those dedicated to God. Secondly, the sanctuary was the most sacred space in Israel, the dwelling place of God's presence. Its defilement by the shedding of blood, particularly of holy persons, represents the ultimate act of sacrilege and the complete abandonment of Jerusalem by God's protective presence, a direct consequence of the people's persistent sin and idolatry, as prophesied in [Ezekiel 8:6](/ezekiel/8-6 "Ezekiel 8:6 - Abominations in the Temple"). It underscores the profound judgment that spared no one and no place, however sacred.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 2:20, with its depiction of ultimate suffering, sacrilege, and divine judgment, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a repetition of such horrors, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The unimaginable suffering of Jerusalem, particularly the innocent, points to the ultimate innocent sufferer, Jesus, who bore the full weight of God's judgment for humanity's sin on the cross. The prophet's cry, "to whom thou hast done this," finds its echo in Christ's cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), as He became sin for us, experiencing a spiritual desolation far deeper than any physical famine. The slaying of priests and prophets in the sanctuary, a place of sacrifice and atonement, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of the true High Priest, Jesus, whose blood shed outside the city gates ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")) cleansed not just a physical sanctuary but opened the way to the heavenly one. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), enduring the covenant curses so that those who believe might receive blessing. Through His death, the old temple system was made obsolete, and He became the true temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")) through whom we have access to God, transforming a place of judgment into a source of grace and reconciliation. In Christ, the desperate plea for God to "consider" is answered by His ultimate act of love, providing redemption from the very judgment depicted in Lamentations.

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

Jeremiah 19:9

And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.

Lamentations 4:10

The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Psalms 78:64

Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.

Lamentations 4:13

¶ For the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,

Deuteronomy 9:26

I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

Exodus 32:11

And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

2 Kings 6:28

And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.