Lamentations 5:13

KJV

They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.

KJV (with Strong's)

They took {H5375} the young men {H970} to grind {H2911}, and the children {H5288} fell {H3782} under the wood {H6086}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Young men are compelled to grind at the mill, boys stagger under loads of wood.

Berean Standard Bible

Young men toil at millstones; boys stagger under loads of wood.

American Standard Version

The young men bare the mill; And the children stumbled under the wood.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 5:13 presents a profoundly distressing image of the complete subjugation and brutal humiliation inflicted upon the people of Judah after Jerusalem's fall to Babylon. It vividly portrays the reversal of societal roles and the indiscriminate suffering endured by the most vulnerable—young men forced into demeaning manual labor and children collapsing under unbearable burdens—thereby encapsulating the depths of their national degradation and the catastrophic consequences of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 5:13 is situated within the fifth and final chapter of the Book of Lamentations, which functions as a communal prayer or petition to Yahweh, pleading for remembrance and restoration amidst the profound devastation of Jerusalem. The preceding verses (Lamentations 5:1-12) meticulously catalog the various dimensions of the people's suffering, including their loss of ancestral inheritance, acute hunger, the abuse of women, and the absence of effective leadership. Verse 13 specifically highlights the forced labor and exploitation of the youth, contributing a poignant detail to the chapter's comprehensive catalogue of indignities and hardships. This verse, alongside others like the lament over paying for basic necessities in [Lamentations 5:4](/lamentations/5-4 "Lamentations 5:4 - Paying for Water"), paints a vivid picture of total subjugation and the stripping away of fundamental freedoms, reinforcing the desperate plea for divine intervention that permeates [Lamentations 5](/lamentations/5 "Lamentations 5 - A Prayer for Restoration").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Lamentations is the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC, an event extensively documented in historical accounts such as [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). In the ancient Near East, grinding grain was typically a laborious and low-status task, usually performed by women, slaves, or the lowest social strata. For "young men" (Hebrew: _bâchûwr_), who were considered the strength, protectors, and future generation of a nation, to be compelled into such work was an act of profound humiliation and emasculation. This was a deliberate tactic by the conquerors to break the spirit of the defeated and assert absolute dominance. Similarly, while the exploitation of children for labor was not uncommon in conquest, its explicit mention here underscores the extreme cruelty and the total collapse of societal order and protection. The "wood" likely refers to timber for construction or fuel, tasks that were arduous and often dangerous, particularly for children.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Lamentations and the broader prophetic literature. It starkly illustrates the theme of **Oppression and Enslavement**, depicting the grim realities of captivity and the systematic stripping away of basic human rights. The forced labor of young men and children underscores the theme of **Humiliation and Degradation**, revealing the conquerors' deliberate intent to dismantle the identity and spirit of the defeated. Furthermore, the suffering of the most vulnerable highlights the **Suffering of the Innocent**, a poignant and recurring motif in Lamentations, as tragically exemplified by the desperate plea in [Lamentations 2:20](/lamentations/2-20 "Lamentations 2:20 - Children Eaten During Siege"). Implicitly, these profound sufferings serve as a stark fulfillment of the **Consequences of Disobedience** to God's covenant, echoing the severe warnings found in texts like [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - The Curse of Serving Enemies").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **young men (Hebrew, _bâchûwr'_):** From H970, meaning "properly, selected, i.e. a youth (often collective); (choice) young (man), chosen." This term refers to the prime of a nation's male population, those typically fit for military service, leadership, or productive labor that contributes to national strength. Their forced engagement in grinding, a task of the lowest social standing, emphasizes the profound reversal of fortune and the deliberate humiliation inflicted upon the very strength and future hope of Judah. It signifies the complete emasculation and subjugation of the male population.
* **to grind (Hebrew, _ṭᵉchôwn'_):** From H2911, meaning "a hand mill; hence, a millstone; to grind." This word specifically denotes the laborious and monotonous process of grinding grain, typically performed by women or slaves. Its application to the "young men" highlights the extreme degradation and the deliberate subversion of traditional gender roles and social status, designed not only for physical toil but also to break the spirit and identity of the conquered people.
* **fell (Hebrew, _kâshal'_):** From H3782, meaning "to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall." This verb vividly conveys physical collapse due to extreme exhaustion, weakness, or an unbearable burden. When applied to "children" under "wood," it paints a heartbreaking picture of their physical limits being pushed beyond endurance, leading to injury, complete collapse, or even death. It underscores the profound cruelty and the indiscriminate nature of the suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They took the young men to grind":** This initial clause describes the imposition of forced labor upon the able-bodied male population. Grinding grain was a physically demanding and socially demeaning task, traditionally reserved for women or slaves in ancient Near Eastern societies. For the "young men"—the very strength, pride, and future of the nation—to be subjected to this work signified a complete stripping of their dignity, status, and freedom, a deliberate act of humiliation and emasculation by their Babylonian captors. It represented the crushing of their spirit and potential.
* **"and the children fell under the wood":** This second clause portrays an even more tragic and heart-wrenching scene of child exploitation and extreme suffering. Children, the most vulnerable and defenseless members of society, were forced to carry heavy loads of wood, likely for the conquerors' use (e.g., fuel, rebuilding projects, fortifications). The phrase "fell under the wood" graphically illustrates their physical collapse dueating to the overwhelming weight, sheer exhaustion, injury, or even death. It underscores the utter lack of mercy and the widespread, indiscriminate suffering that spared no age group, highlighting the complete breakdown of protection and care for the innocent.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 5:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the profound depth of suffering and despair. **Irony** is powerfully evident in the reversal of roles, where young men, typically symbols of strength, vitality, and potential warriors, are forced into the demeaning and laborious task of grinding, traditionally a chore for women or slaves. This subversion of societal norms underscores the complete subjugation and humiliation of the defeated. **Pathos** is profoundly evoked through the imagery of "children fell under the wood," appealing directly to the reader's emotions by depicting the extreme vulnerability and suffering of the innocent. This image is also a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the unbearable nature of the burdens and the extreme cruelty of the oppressors, even if the literal collapse of every child is not implied. Furthermore, the verse uses striking **Juxtaposition** by placing the suffering of the young men alongside that of the children, highlighting the comprehensive and indiscriminate nature of the oppression that spared no segment of society, from those in their prime to the most defenseless.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 5:13 serves as a poignant and devastating reminder of the dire consequences of national sin and the broken covenant, reflecting God's just judgment upon a rebellious people. While the verse itself focuses on the immediate human cruelty and suffering inflicted by the Babylonians, the broader theological framework of Lamentations understands these profound afflictions as a direct result of Israel's persistent departure from Yahweh and their covenant unfaithfulness. Yet, even in this profound despair, the very act of lamenting to God, as seen throughout the book, implies a persistent, albeit faint, hope in His ultimate justice, mercy, and faithfulness to His promises. The suffering of the innocent, particularly the children, raises profound questions about divine justice and the nature of corporate sin, yet it also underscores the indiscriminate and tragic fallout from a nation's spiritual rebellion and the pervasive reality of human depravity.

* [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - The Curse of Serving Enemies")
* [Jeremiah 14:18](/jeremiah/14-18 "Jeremiah 14:18 - Suffering in the Streets")
* [Lamentations 2:20](/lamentations/2-20 "Lamentations 2:20 - Children Eaten During Siege")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 5:13 stands as a timeless and sobering testament to the immense human cost of war, injustice, and societal collapse. It compels us to confront the harsh realities faced by the most vulnerable during times of crisis: the young, the weak, and the innocent. This verse challenges us to cultivate profound empathy for those who endure forced labor, exploitation, and unimaginable suffering in our world today, particularly children and young people caught in conflicts, human trafficking, or unjust economic systems. It serves as a stark reminder that national and societal choices have far-reaching consequences, impacting even the most defenseless members of a community. Therefore, the raw and unvarnished depiction of suffering in this verse should ignite within us a fervent desire to advocate for justice, to extend compassion, and to actively work towards protecting the innocent and vulnerable in our own communities and globally, striving to alleviate burdens and restore dignity where it has been stripped away.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of young men grinding and children falling under wood challenge our understanding of justice and suffering in the world today?**
* **What responsibilities do we, as individuals and communities, have toward the vulnerable and oppressed, both locally and globally, in light of this verse?**
* **How can the raw honesty of Lamentations 5:13 inform our prayers and actions for those experiencing extreme hardship and exploitation today?**

### FAQ
**Why were young men forced to grind grain, and what is the significance of this task?**

Answer: Grinding grain was traditionally a task performed by women or the lowest class of servants and slaves in ancient Near Eastern societies. For young men (Hebrew: _bâchûwr_), who were typically seen as the strength, potential warriors, and future of a nation, to be forced into such demeaning and laborious work was a profound act of humiliation and enslavement. It symbolized the complete stripping away of their dignity, status, and freedom by the Babylonian conquerors, designed to break their spirit and demonstrate absolute dominance over the defeated population, as part of the wider subjugation described in [Lamentations 5](/lamentations/5 "A Prayer for Restoration"). This act was a deliberate psychological and physical assault on the very identity of the conquered people.

**What does "the children fell under the wood" imply about their suffering?**

Answer: This phrase paints a heartbreaking picture of child exploitation and extreme cruelty. Children, the most vulnerable and defenseless members of society, were forced to carry heavy loads of wood, likely for fuel for their captors or for rebuilding projects. The phrase "fell under the wood" suggests that the burdens were far too heavy for their young bodies, leading to exhaustion, physical collapse, severe injury, or even death. It underscores the utter lack of mercy shown by the oppressors and the widespread suffering that spared no age group, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the judgment and the pervasive anguish experienced by all segments of society, a poignant theme echoed in [Lamentations 2:20](/lamentations/2-20 "Children Eaten During Siege").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Lamentations 5:13 vividly portrays the crushing burdens and suffering of the exiled Israelites, it finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "young men" forced into grinding and the "children" falling under the wood represent the oppressed, the burdened, and the vulnerable of humanity, groaning under the immense weight of sin and its devastating consequences. Jesus, the ultimate "young man" in the prime of His life, willingly took upon Himself the ultimate burden—the sin of the world—a weight infinitely heavier than any wood, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant"). He did not fall under the wood of human oppression, but willingly bore the cross, the "wood" of divine judgment and condemnation, for our sake, as described in [John 19:17](/john/19-17 "John 19:17 - Jesus Carries His Cross"). In His suffering, Jesus fully identified with every victim of injustice, every child exploited, and every soul crushed by the overwhelming weight of life's hardships. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, He liberates us from the grinding labor of sin and the crushing weight of its condemnation, offering true rest to the weary and burdened, as He graciously promises in [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). Thus, the despair and lament of Lamentations ultimately point to the hope found in Christ, who, by bearing the ultimate burden, offers true freedom, dignity, and eternal restoration.

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

Judges 16:21

But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

Exodus 11:5

And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that [is] behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

Isaiah 58:6

[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Exodus 23:5

If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

Nehemiah 5:1

¶ And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

Nehemiah 5:5

Yet now our flesh [is] as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are brought unto bondage [already]: neither [is it] in our power [to redeem them]; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

Job 31:10

[Then] let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.