Lamentations 5:11

KJV

They ravished the women in Zion, [and] the maids in the cities of Judah.

KJV (with Strong's)

They ravished {H6031} the women {H802} in Zion {H6726}, and the maids {H1330} in the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They have raped the women of Tziyon, virgins in the cities of Y'hudah.

Berean Standard Bible

Women have been ravished in Zion, virgins in the cities of Judah.

American Standard Version

They ravished the women in Zion, The virgins in the cities of Judah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 5:11 presents a harrowing and unvarnished account of the sexual violence perpetrated against the women and young women of Jerusalem and the surrounding cities of Judah during the Babylonian conquest in 586 BC. This verse serves as a stark and painful testament to the profound degradation, dehumanization, and utter collapse of societal protection and dignity experienced by the defeated populace, revealing the extreme brutality inherent in ancient warfare and the devastating consequences of divine judgment and enemy invasion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the fifth and final lament of the book of Lamentations, often understood as a communal prayer for restoration and a desperate plea to God amidst overwhelming national suffering. Unlike the preceding four laments, which are acrostic poems, Chapter 5 is a twenty-two-verse communal prayer, matching the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet, but without the strict acrostic structure. The chapter transitions from a detailed recounting of the people's dire circumstances (verses 1-18) to a direct appeal to God for remembrance and renewal (verses 19-22). Verse 11, specifically, falls within the section detailing the profound physical and social indignities endured by the survivors, painting a vivid picture of the moral collapse and the extent of the enemy's cruelty, which includes not only starvation and forced labor but also the ultimate violation of women, highlighting the complete breakdown of order and safety.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Lamentations is the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem to the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 586 BC, following a prolonged siege. This cataclysmic event resulted in the destruction of the First Temple, the razing of the city walls, and the systematic deportation of a significant portion of the Judean population into exile. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the conquest of a city frequently involved extreme violence, including sexual assault, as a deliberate tactic to terrorize, demoralize, and assert absolute dominance over the defeated population. Such acts were not merely incidental but were instruments of war designed to break the spirit of a people and demonstrate the conqueror's absolute power. The descriptions in [Lamentations 5:11](/lamentations/5-11 "Lamentations 5:11 - The Ravishing of Women") align with the historical accounts of the Babylonian invasion found in books like [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Destruction of Jerusalem"), which detail the siege, destruction, and subsequent exile, confirming the horrific realities faced by the Judeans.

* **Key Themes:** [Lamentations 5:11](/lamentations/5-11 "Lamentations 5:11 - The Ravishing of Women") powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Lamentations. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Profound Desolation and Humiliation**, illustrating the complete stripping away of dignity and protection from the people of Judah, particularly its most vulnerable members. The violation of women was a profound societal shame and a sign of utter defeat, signifying the ultimate indignity. Secondly, it highlights the **Brutality and Moral Depravity of War**, serving as a stark reminder that conflict often unleashes the darkest aspects of human nature, leading to unspeakable atrocities against non-combatants. Lastly, while the verse focuses on human suffering, it implicitly connects to the broader theme of the **Consequences of Covenant Disobedience**. Throughout Lamentations, the suffering of Judah is presented as a severe, yet just, divine judgment for their persistent unfaithfulness to God's covenant, as prophesied in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Even in this lament, the people acknowledge their sin (e.g., [Lamentations 5:16](/lamentations/5-16 "Lamentations 5:16 - Our Crown Has Fallen")), recognizing that their suffering, however horrific, is ultimately tied to their spiritual rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ravished (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** H6031. This verb, from a primitive root, carries a primary sense of "to depress," "to humble," or "to afflict." However, in specific contexts, as here, it unequivocally denotes sexual violence, meaning "to force" or "to ravish." The choice of this word emphasizes the coercive, humiliating, and deeply injurious nature of the acts, highlighting the complete subjugation and profound physical and emotional abasement of the victims.
* **Women (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** H802. This is the general term for a female, often translated as "woman" or "wife." Its use here, alongside "maids," indicates that the violence was widespread, affecting females of various ages and statuses within the community, from married women to those generally identified as adult females.
* **Maids (Hebrew, _bᵉthûwlâh'_):** H1330. This term specifically refers to a "virgin" or "maiden," derived from a root meaning "to separate," implying privacy or untouched status. Its inclusion alongside "women" underscores the particular horror of the violation of young, unmarried girls, who were considered especially vulnerable and whose purity was highly valued in ancient Israelite society. The assault on "maids" signified an even deeper level of societal breakdown and the enemy's complete disregard for the sanctity of life and personhood.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They ravished the women in Zion":** This initial clause directly states the perpetrators' heinous actions—the sexual assault—and identifies the primary victims as the "women" within "Zion." "Zion" refers to Jerusalem, the capital city and spiritual heart of Judah. This highlights that even within the most sacred and ostensibly protected urban center, the women were not spared from the enemy's brutality, signifying the complete collapse of all defenses and the utter desecration of the holy city.
* **"and the maids in the cities of Judah":** This second clause expands the scope of the atrocities beyond Jerusalem to include the "maids" (young, unmarried women) in the other "cities of Judah." This demonstrates that the violence was not isolated to the capital but was a widespread phenomenon across the conquered territory, emphasizing the pervasive nature of the suffering and the systematic terror tactics employed by the enemy against the entire population of the kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 5:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message and evoke a visceral response. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the phrase "the women in Zion" is mirrored by "the maids in the cities of Judah." This structure not only reiterates the horrific act of ravishing but also expands its scope, emphasizing that the sexual violence was not confined to Jerusalem but was widespread throughout the conquered territory of Judah, affecting females of all ages and statuses. The deliberate pairing of "women" and "maids" further highlights the comprehensive and indiscriminate nature of the assault. The verse also powerfully uses **Pathos**, evoking intense feelings of sorrow, outrage, and despair in the reader. The direct and unvarnished description of sexual violence is designed to shock and to convey the profound depth of humiliation and suffering experienced by the victims and, by extension, the entire nation. This raw depiction serves as a stark testament to the ultimate indignity inflicted upon a defeated people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 5:11 stands as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of human sin and the brutal realities of a fallen world, even as it reflects a moment of divine judgment. Theologically, it underscores God's justice in allowing the consequences of covenant disobedience to unfold, while simultaneously highlighting the profound human suffering that results from unchecked evil. It challenges any simplistic view of divine protection, showing that even God's chosen people can experience immense suffering when they stray from His path. Yet, the very act of lamenting these atrocities within a sacred text testifies to God's presence even in the darkest valleys, affirming that He hears the cries of the afflicted and that such injustices do not go unnoticed in His eyes. The verse implicitly calls for a future where such evil is eradicated and justice prevails, a hope rooted in God's ultimate sovereignty and righteousness.

* [Deuteronomy 28:47-57](/deuteronomy/28-47-57 "Deuteronomy 28:47-57 - Curses for Disobedience for Unfaithfulness")
* [Isaiah 3:16-17](/isaiah/3-16-17 "Isaiah 3:16-17 - Judgment on the Arrogant Daughters of Zion")
* [Jeremiah 13:20-22](/jeremiah/13-20-22 "Jeremiah 13:20-22 - Jerusalem's Shame and Unveiling")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 5:11 is a profoundly challenging verse, forcing us to confront the darkest aspects of human depravity and the devastating impact of war on the most vulnerable. For contemporary readers, it serves as a powerful call to empathy and action. It compels us to remember and lament the countless victims of sexual violence, both historically and in ongoing conflicts around the world, recognizing that such atrocities are not merely historical footnotes but continue to plague humanity. This verse demands that we not only acknowledge the pain of the violated but also actively work towards justice, advocating for the protection of the vulnerable, condemning all forms of sexual violence, and supporting those who have suffered. It reminds us that true faith does not shy away from confronting evil but rather engages with it, seeking to bring light, healing, and restoration in a broken world. The Bible's willingness to include such raw accounts provides a framework for honest lament, acknowledging profound suffering while still holding onto the hope for divine intervention and ultimate justice, urging us to be agents of God's compassion and righteousness in a world still scarred by such evils.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of God's presence and justice amidst profound suffering and apparent abandonment?**
* **What is our responsibility as individuals and as the church to confront and address sexual violence in our world today, both locally and globally?**
* **How can we offer empathy, support, and tangible aid to victims of trauma and abuse, drawing lessons from the raw lament found in Scripture?**
* **In what ways does this verse highlight the destructive nature of sin, both individual and corporate, and its far-reaching consequences on human dignity and society?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a graphic verse included in the Bible?**

Answer: The Bible, as a comprehensive and honest record of human history and God's interaction with humanity, does not shy away from depicting the full spectrum of human experience, including its darkest aspects. Verses like [Lamentations 5:11](/lamentations/5-11 "Lamentations 5:11 - The Ravishing of Women in Zion") serve several crucial purposes: they provide an unvarnished account of the devastating consequences of sin and war, demonstrating the depth of human depravity and suffering; they validate the experience of victims, showing that God's Word acknowledges their pain and gives voice to their lament; and they serve as a powerful call to grieve with those who suffer and to cry out for justice. Such passages underscore the urgent need for divine intervention and the ultimate redemption offered through God's plan.

**What does "ravished" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In [Lamentations 5:11](/lamentations/5-11 "Lamentations 5:11 - The Ravishing of Women"), the KJV word "ravished" translates the Hebrew verb _ʻânâh'_ (H6031). While this verb has broader meanings of "to humble," "to afflict," or "to oppress," in this specific context, particularly when used in conjunction with "women" and "maids" during a conquest, it unequivocally refers to sexual assault or rape. The Strong's data confirms this usage, indicating "to force" or "to ravish." This term emphasizes the violent, coercive, and deeply humiliating nature of the acts perpetrated against the women and maids, leaving no ambiguity about the horrific sexual violence inflicted upon them during the conquest.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 5:11, with its raw depiction of the ultimate degradation of humanity through sexual violence and the profound suffering of God's people, finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. First, it foreshadows the depth of suffering that Christ himself would endure, not for His own sin, but for the sins of humanity. Just as the women of Zion were violated, Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), was utterly humiliated, scourged, and crucified, bearing the full weight of human depravity and the consequences of sin on the cross (cf. [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions")). He entered into the darkest human experiences, including the pain of the violated and the oppressed, becoming the ultimate empathetic High Priest who can [sympathize with our weaknesses](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands") and intercede on our behalf. Furthermore, the violence and injustice described in [Lamentations 5:11](/lamentations/5-11 "Lamentations 5:11 - The Ravishing of Women") point to the brokenness of a world under the dominion of sin, a dominion that Christ decisively broke through His death and resurrection. He is the one who will ultimately bring perfect justice, wipe away every tear, and ensure that such atrocities will never again occur in the new heavens and new earth (cf. [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")). His kingdom is one where the vulnerable are protected, the oppressed are freed, and all forms of violence and humiliation are abolished, offering the ultimate hope and restoration that the lamenting people of Judah longed for, a hope fully realized in His glorious return and eternal reign (cf. [Revelation 22:3-5](/revelation/22-3-5 "Revelation 22:3-5 - No More Curse, God's Presence")).

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

Zechariah 14:2

For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Isaiah 13:16

Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.

Deuteronomy 28:30

Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.