Lamentations 4:18

KJV

They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.

KJV (with Strong's)

They hunt {H6679} our steps {H6806}, that we cannot go {H3212} in our streets {H7339}: our end {H7093} is near {H7126}, our days {H3117} are fulfilled {H4390}; for our end {H7093} is come {H935}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They keep dogging our steps, so that we can't go out in our streets. Our end is near, our time is up; yes, our end has come.

Berean Standard Bible

They stalked our every step, so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near, our time ran out, for our end had come!

American Standard Version

They hunt our steps, so that we cannot go in our streets: Our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 4:18 powerfully articulates the profound despair and terror gripping Jerusalem's inhabitants during its siege and imminent destruction. It captures a moment of extreme vulnerability where the city's familiar streets have become deadly traps, freedom of movement is lost, and the relentless pursuit by enemies leaves no sanctuary. The repeated declaration of an approaching and fulfilled end underscores the crushing certainty of their national and personal annihilation, reflecting the dire consequences of their unfaithfulness and God's righteous judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 4:18 is situated within a deeply sorrowful poetic elegy, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Babylonian empire in 586 BC. Chapter 4 specifically details the harrowing conditions within the besieged city, portraying the widespread famine, the suffering of its once-privileged nobles reduced to starvation (Lamentations 4:7-10), and the breakdown of societal order. This verse immediately follows the grim descriptions of the city's dire state and precedes the stark acknowledgment of God's judgment being poured out (Lamentations 4:11-12). It serves as a poignant cry from the perspective of the trapped citizens, highlighting their complete loss of security and the overwhelming sense of impending doom that permeates the entire chapter, emphasizing the physical and psychological torment endured.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the brutal Babylonian siege and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem, a pivotal and traumatic event in Israelite history. For centuries, Jerusalem had been considered inviolable, the "City of God" where His Temple resided, a place of divine protection. The fall of Jerusalem, therefore, was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis, challenging the people's understanding of God's covenant and promises. Culturally, the streets (Hebrew: `rᵉchôb`) were central to public life—bustling with markets, religious gatherings, and daily routines. The inability to "go in our streets" signifies a complete collapse of normal life and public safety, transforming once-familiar spaces into zones of extreme danger and death. The "hunt" vividly describes the ruthless and predatory tactics of the Babylonian forces, who not only besieged the city but also pursued and captured any who attempted to flee or even move within its confines, turning the city into a literal hunting ground.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Lamentations. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, as the suffering is understood as a direct consequence of Judah's persistent sin and rebellion against God, fulfilling ancient prophecies found in books like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience") and [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity"). The phrase "They hunt our steps" vividly illustrates the theme of **Relentless Persecution and Oppression**, depicting the enemies as predatory and inescapable, stripping the people of their freedom and safety. Furthermore, the repeated declaration of "our end is near, our our days are fulfilled; for our end is come" emphasizes the theme of **Imminent Doom and Hopelessness**, conveying an overwhelming sense of finality and the complete loss of national and personal future. This verse captures the raw despair of a people who feel utterly abandoned and without recourse, their very existence approaching a definitive, tragic conclusion, a stark contrast to the hope found in [Lamentations 3](/lamentations/3 "Lamentations 3 - The Lord's Mercies Endure").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hunt (Hebrew, _tsûwd'_):** A primitive root, also denominative from צַיִד; to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men); to victual (for a journey); chase, hunt, sore, take (provision). In Lamentations 4:18, this word emphasizes the deliberate, predatory nature of the enemies. They are not merely pursuing but actively ambushing and ensnaring the inhabitants, turning the city into a hunting ground where the people are the helpless prey, highlighting the systematic and cruel nature of their oppression.
* **go (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** A primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses). Here, it signifies the complete cessation of normal movement and freedom. The inability to "go in our streets" highlights how daily routines and public life have been shattered, as once-familiar thoroughfares have become deadly traps, signifying a total loss of normalcy, personal liberty, and the ability to conduct any aspect of life freely.
* **end (Hebrew, _qêts'_):** Contracted from קָצַץ; an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after; [phrase] after, (utmost) border, end, (in-) finite, [idiom] process. The powerful repetition of this word three times in the verse ("our end is near," "for our end is come") underscores the absolute finality and termination of their national and personal existence. It conveys a definitive cessation, a tragic and irreversible conclusion to their time as a sovereign people in their land, emphasizing the complete and devastating nature of their demise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They hunt our steps":** This opening clause vividly portrays the relentless and predatory pursuit by the enemies. The "steps" represent the very movement and existence of the people, indicating that every attempt to move, even within their own city, is met with the immediate threat of capture, death, or ambush. It conveys a pervasive sense of being constantly watched, pursued, and trapped, stripping them of any sense of security or privacy.
* **"that we cannot go in our streets":** This phrase describes the devastating consequence of the enemy's actions. The streets, once vibrant places of community, commerce, and daily life, have become perilous zones. This signifies a complete loss of freedom, safety, and normalcy, as the very public spaces they once inhabited are now hostile, impassable, and fraught with mortal danger, rendering ordinary life impossible.
* **"our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come":** This tripartite declaration expresses an overwhelming sense of inevitable doom and absolute finality. "Our end is near" speaks to the immediate proximity of destruction, a threat that looms large and is felt acutely. "Our days are fulfilled" suggests that their allotted time, whether as a nation or individually, has reached its tragic completion, not in a positive sense of accomplishment, but as an unavoidable, divinely determined conclusion. The final "for our end is come" reinforces this certainty with chilling emphasis, indicating that the dreaded outcome is not just approaching but has, in essence, already arrived in their experience, leaving no room for hope, escape, or reversal.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 4:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of profound despair and the grim reality of Jerusalem's fall. **Metaphor** is evident in "They hunt our steps," where the enemies are implicitly compared to relentless predators, and the people to their helpless prey. This imagery emphasizes the ruthless, inescapable, and dehumanizing nature of their oppression, turning the once-sacred city into a brutal hunting ground. The pervasive sense of entrapment and danger is powerfully heightened by this comparison. **Repetition** of the word "end" (Hebrew: _qêts_) three times ("our end is near," "our days are fulfilled; for our end is come") creates a powerful sense of inevitability and absolute finality. This rhetorical device amplifies the feeling of hopelessness and underscores the crushing certainty of their destruction, leaving no room for escape or reversal. Furthermore, the verse uses **Hyperbole** to express the depth of their suffering; while they are not literally unable to take a single step, the statement "we cannot go in our streets" conveys the extreme danger and paralyzing fear that makes ordinary movement virtually impossible. This exaggeration effectively communicates the complete breakdown of public safety and the pervasive terror. Collectively, these devices contribute to the overwhelming **Pathos** of the verse, evoking profound sorrow and deep sympathy for the plight of the besieged and doomed people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 4:18 serves as a stark testament to the profound consequences of national sin and the inescapable reality of divine judgment. The suffering described is not random but is understood within the biblical framework as the outworking of God's covenant curses for disobedience, as detailed in the Law. While the immediate focus is on the physical and psychological torment of the people, the theological undercurrent is that their "end" has come because they have rejected God's warnings and persistently rebelled against His commands. This verse, therefore, highlights God's justice and holiness, demonstrating that He will not tolerate perpetual sin without consequence, even from His chosen people. Yet, even in this profound despair, the broader message of Lamentations, particularly in Chapter 3, points to God's enduring faithfulness and mercy, suggesting that even judgment is not His final word, and ultimate hope can be found in turning back to Him in repentance and trust.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-57](/deuteronomy/28-49-57 "Deuteronomy 28:49-57 - Prophecy of Siege and Suffering")
* [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8-11 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Prophecy of Babylonian Judgment and Captivity")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Steadfast Love and Mercies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 4:18 offers a raw and unvarnished depiction of human suffering under extreme duress, a powerful reminder that the Bible does not shy away from the depths of despair. For contemporary believers, this verse validates the very real feelings of hopelessness, fear, and entrapment that can arise during times of intense personal or collective crisis. It encourages us to acknowledge these emotions honestly before God, rather than suppressing them, recognizing that lament is a legitimate and necessary part of faith. Furthermore, it serves as a potent reminder of the severe consequences that can follow persistent disobedience to God's commands, both individually and corporately. While our circumstances may differ from those of ancient Judah, the principle remains: choosing a path contrary to God's will can lead to dire outcomes, disrupting peace, security, and freedom. Yet, even in the midst of such profound brokenness, the broader narrative of scripture, including Lamentations itself, points to the possibility of repentance, the enduring nature of God's mercy, and the ultimate hope found in His sovereign control, inviting us to seek His face even when our "end" seems near and our world feels shattered.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you respond when you feel "hunted" or trapped by life's circumstances, with no clear way out?**
* **In what ways might the "streets" of your life (routines, relationships, public spaces) feel unsafe or unnavigable due to current challenges?**
* **How does this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice and His response to human sin?**
* **Where do you find hope or a sense of "not yet ended" when faced with situations that feel like "our end is near"?**

### FAQ
**What does "They hunt our steps" mean in this context?**

Answer: "They hunt our steps" vividly describes the relentless and predatory pursuit by the enemies, primarily the Babylonian soldiers. It means that the inhabitants of Jerusalem were constantly being watched, ambushed, and pursued, making it impossible for them to move freely or safely even within their own city. Every step they took was fraught with danger, as if they were helpless prey being stalked by hunters, symbolizing a complete loss of security, freedom, and normalcy in their daily lives.

**Why is the phrase "our end is near" repeated so emphatically?**

Answer: The emphatic repetition of "our end is near," "our days are fulfilled," and "for our end is come" serves as a powerful literary device to underscore the absolute certainty and inevitability of their destruction. This **repetition** amplifies the profound sense of despair and hopelessness felt by the people. It signifies that their national and personal existence is not just threatened but is rapidly approaching a definitive, tragic conclusion, leaving no room for escape or reversal, a direct consequence of God's judgment on their sin, as prophesied in passages like [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Prophecy of 70-Year Captivity").

**How does this verse relate to the broader message of Lamentations?**

Answer: This verse encapsulates the core themes of Lamentations: the devastating consequences of sin, the reality of divine judgment, and the profound suffering of God's people. It highlights the complete collapse of their world, from public safety to national sovereignty. While this verse itself is steeped in despair and illustrates the depths of human suffering, it sets the stage for the turning point in [Lamentations 3](/lamentations/3 "Lamentations 3 - The Lord's Mercies Endure"), where the prophet, despite immense suffering, recalls God's enduring mercies and faithfulness, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the ruin and pointing towards the possibility of restoration through repentance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 4:18, with its raw depiction of a people facing an inevitable "end" due to their sin and the relentless pursuit of their enemies, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, like ancient Jerusalem, was spiritually "hunted" and trapped by sin and death, unable to "go in our streets" of life freely, constantly under the shadow of a coming "end" of judgment. The Law, though righteous, could only condemn, bringing the "end" of divine wrath (cf. [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Law Reveals Sin")). However, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly allowed Himself to be hunted, betrayed, and led to the cross. There, He experienced the ultimate "end" of suffering and death that we deserved, taking upon Himself the full weight of sin's judgment. His crucifixion was not a final end, but a decisive victory; by His glorious resurrection, He conquered sin, death, and the power of the enemy (cf. [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). For those who believe in Him, the "end" is no longer condemnation but eternal life (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). He is our ultimate refuge and deliverer, the one who leads us in paths of righteousness, where we can "walk" freely and securely, no longer hunted by the consequences of sin, for He has brought our true and glorious beginning as new creations in Him (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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

Amos 8:2

And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.

Ezekiel 7:2

Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.

Ezekiel 7:12

The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath [is] upon all the multitude thereof.

Jeremiah 16:16

Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

Lamentations 3:52

Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.

Jeremiah 1:12

Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Ezekiel 12:22

Son of man, what [is] that proverb [that] ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?