Lamentations 4:9

[They that be] slain with the sword are better than [they that be] slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for [want of] the fruits of the field.

They that be slain {H2491} with the sword {H2719} are better {H2896} than they that be slain {H2491} with hunger {H7458}: for these {H1992} pine away {H2100}, stricken {H1856} through for want of the fruits {H8570} of the field {H7704}.

Those slain by the sword are better off than those who are dying from hunger; since these waste away as if pierced through, for lack of food from the fields.

Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.

They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.

Commentary

Lamentations 4:9 powerfully conveys the horrific suffering endured by the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege, expressing a preference for immediate death by the sword over the prolonged agony of starvation.

Context

This verse is found within the book of Lamentations, a collection of poetic laments traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. It vividly describes the sorrow and desolation following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Chapter 4 particularly focuses on the dire conditions during the siege, where famine became a more agonizing killer than the sword. The city, once glorious, was reduced to unimaginable suffering due to the severe lack of food and water, a direct consequence of the prolonged blockade.

Key Themes

  • The Unimaginable Horror of Famine: The verse starkly illustrates that a quick, violent death was deemed preferable to the slow, torturous demise by starvation. This highlights the extreme severity of the famine, which caused immense physical and psychological suffering.
  • Severity of Judgment: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire book of Lamentations serves as a testament to the consequences of disobedience and divine judgment that had fallen upon Judah. The suffering described is a fulfillment of prophetic warnings.
  • Depth of Despair: The comparison reveals a profound state of despair, where the will to live is overshadowed by the agony of hunger, making death a welcome release.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "pine away" in this context vividly describes the slow, agonizing process of wasting away from starvation. It emphasizes the prolonged suffering, where the body gradually weakens and succumbs. "Stricken through for [want of] the fruits of the field" means they were, in essence, "pierced through" or "consumed" by the sheer lack of food, leading to a lingering and painful death, as opposed to the swift blow of a sword.

Practical Application

Lamentations 4:9 serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war and famine, echoing the suffering that still occurs in various parts of the world today. It calls for:

  • Compassion: It compels us to have empathy for those who suffer from hunger and conflict, prompting us to respond with aid and support.
  • Understanding Consequences: The verse, in its broader context, underscores the severe consequences of turning away from God and His commands. It reminds us that disobedience can lead to profound suffering.
  • Gratitude: It can foster gratitude for the provision of food and peace, which are often taken for granted.
This verse, though grim, highlights the reality of human suffering and the profound need for divine mercy and intervention, even in the midst of overwhelming despair.

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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 24:23 (3 votes)

    And your tires [shall be] upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.

  • Leviticus 26:39 (3 votes)

    And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.

  • Ezekiel 33:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins [be] upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

  • Jeremiah 16:4 (2 votes)

    They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.