Lamentations 4:4

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

Lamentations 4:4 paints a harrowing picture of the severe famine and desolation that befell Jerusalem during and after the Babylonian siege, a central theme of the book of Lamentations. The prophet Jeremiah, traditionally believed to be the author, expresses profound grief over the city's destruction and the immense suffering of its inhabitants.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of the devastating siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, which culminated in the city's fall in 586 BC. The prolonged siege led to extreme scarcity of food and water, reducing the once-proud capital to a place of unimaginable suffering. Lamentations 4 specifically contrasts the former glory and prosperity of Zion with its present state of utter ruin and the dire conditions faced by its people, especially the most vulnerable.

Key Themes

  • Extreme Suffering and Famine: The verse vividly portrays the ultimate consequence of famine: infants so dehydrated their tongues stick to their mouths, and young children begging for bread that no one can provide. This highlights the horrific extent of the suffering endured.
  • Vulnerability of Children: By focusing on "sucking children" and "young children," the text emphasizes the innocence and helplessness of those most impacted by the catastrophe. Their inability to survive without aid underscores the complete breakdown of society and the severity of the judgment.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The suffering described in Lamentations is presented as a direct result of Israel's persistent sin and rebellion against God, fulfilling the warnings given in the Mosaic Covenant. This serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of national disobedience to God's law.
  • Despair and Desolation: The inability of parents or anyone else to provide for the most basic needs of children signifies a state of complete despair and desolation, where even the most fundamental human bonds are strained by overwhelming hardship.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cleaveth" is dabaq (דָּבַק), which means to cling, stick, or be joined. In this context, it powerfully conveys the absolute dryness and extreme thirst, where the tongue is literally glued to the palate. The phrase "no man breaketh [it] unto them" uses the word parash (פָּרַשׁ), which can mean to break off or distribute. It implies not just a lack of bread, but also the absence of anyone able or willing to share, highlighting the utter destitution and lack of compassion in the face of widespread famine.

Practical Application

Lamentations 4:4 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Reality of Suffering: It forces us to confront the harsh realities of suffering, particularly among the innocent, and to empathize with those experiencing famine, war, or disaster today.
  • Consequences of Sin: The passage underscores the biblical principle that disobedience and rebellion against God can lead to severe consequences, both individually and nationally.
  • Call to Compassion: While depicting a lack of compassion, it implicitly calls believers to be agents of mercy and provision for the vulnerable in our own time, reflecting God's heart for the needy.
  • Value of Spiritual Nourishment: Just as physical bread is essential for life, this verse can also prompt reflection on the necessity of spiritual "bread"—God's Word—for spiritual sustenance, especially in times of spiritual drought or despair.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.
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