Lamentations 5:14

The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick.

The elders {H2205} have ceased {H7673} from the gate {H8179}, the young men {H970} from their musick {H5058}.

The old men have deserted the city gate, the young men have given up their music.

The elders have left the city gate; the young men have stopped their music.

The elders have ceased from the gate, The young men from their music.

Commentary

Lamentations 5:14 KJV depicts a poignant scene of utter desolation and societal collapse in Jerusalem after its destruction by the Babylonians. This verse is part of a larger lament, a communal cry of sorrow over the catastrophic loss experienced by the people of Judah.

Historical and Cultural Context

The book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the subsequent exile of its inhabitants. The city, once the vibrant heart of the Israelite nation, was reduced to rubble, its temple destroyed, and its people carried away into captivity. Verse 14 captures specific aspects of this profound loss:

  • "The elders have ceased from the gate": In ancient Near Eastern cities, the "gate" (sha'ar) was far more than an entrance; it was the hub of public life. It served as the courthouse where elders would gather to administer justice, conduct business, and discuss community affairs. Their absence signifies a complete breakdown of law, order, leadership, and public life. There was no longer a functioning society, no one left to govern or guide.
  • "the young men from their musick": Music (neginah, often referring to stringed instruments or melody) was an integral part of Israelite culture, accompanying celebrations, festivals, and daily life. The cessation of music among the vibrant young men indicates a profound loss of joy, hope, and vitality. It speaks to a pervasive atmosphere of mourning and despair, where even the customary expressions of youth and exuberance have been silenced by overwhelming grief and suffering. Jeremiah also prophesied the cessation of joy and gladness in the land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Total Desolation and Ruin: The verse vividly portrays a society that has been utterly devastated, where the very fabric of community life has unraveled.
  • Loss of Order and Leadership: The absence of elders signifies the collapse of governance, justice, and traditional societal structures.
  • Loss of Joy and Normalcy: The silence of music highlights the profound sorrow and the eradication of everyday happiness, replaced by a pervasive sense of lament.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire book of Lamentations serves as a somber reflection on the consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness to God's covenant, leading to such a tragic state.

Practical Application and Reflection

Lamentations 5:14 serves as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of societal and spiritual decline. It underscores the importance of:

  • Maintaining Justice and Order: A healthy society depends on strong, righteous leadership and a functioning system of justice.
  • Cultivating Joy and Hope: The presence of music and celebration often reflects a people's well-being and hope for the future. Its absence signals deep distress.
  • Understanding Consequences: The verse, within the broader context of Lamentations, prompts reflection on the severe consequences that can arise from turning away from God and His ways. It calls us to consider our own societal health and spiritual alignment, understanding that true peace and lasting joy are found in adherence to God's principles.

The sorrow expressed in this verse resonates through history, reminding us that even in the deepest despair, there is a call to acknowledge suffering and ultimately, to seek restoration and God's mercy, as often hoped for later in the book (e.g., Lamentations 3:21-23).

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

  • Jeremiah 7:34

    Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

  • Isaiah 24:7

    The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.

  • Isaiah 24:11

    [There is] a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.

  • Ezekiel 26:13

    And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.

  • Lamentations 1:19

    I called for my lovers, [but] they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.

  • Lamentations 1:4

    The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she [is] in bitterness.

  • Lamentations 2:10

    ¶ The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, [and] keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.
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