Lamentations 5:18

KJV

Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because of the mountain {H2022} of Zion {H6726}, which is desolate {H8074}, the foxes {H7776} walk {H1980} upon it.

Complete Jewish Bible

it's because of Mount Tziyon, so wasted that jackals have overrun it.

Berean Standard Bible

because of Mount Zion, which lies desolate, patrolled by foxes.

American Standard Version

For the mountain of Zion, which is desolate: The foxes walk upon it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 5:18 powerfully depicts the profound desolation of Jerusalem following its destruction, specifically focusing on Mount Zion. The once-sacred site, the spiritual heart of Israel and the dwelling place of God's Temple, is now so utterly abandoned and ruined that wild foxes roam freely upon it. This verse serves as a stark symbol of the complete collapse of order, the loss of national identity, and the deep spiritual and physical humiliation experienced by the people of Judah, mourning the catastrophic consequences of their sin and God's judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 5:18 is situated within the final chapter of the book of Lamentations, which is structured as a communal prayer or litany of suffering. Unlike the preceding chapters, which are acrostic poems, chapter 5 is a twenty-two-verse prayer that lacks the acrostic structure but maintains the same number of verses as the Hebrew alphabet, perhaps symbolizing a complete expression of sorrow. This chapter shifts from the individual laments of Jeremiah (traditionally attributed author) to a collective cry from the remnant of Israel, appealing to God for remembrance and restoration. Verse 18, with its vivid imagery of desolation, serves as a poignant climax to the description of suffering, immediately preceding the desperate plea for God to "restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored!" [Lamentations 5:21](/lamentations/5-21 "Lamentations 5:21 - A Plea for Restoration"). It encapsulates the depth of their national tragedy and the perceived abandonment by God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Lamentations 5:18 is the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC, under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II. This event resulted in the destruction of the First Temple, the city walls, and the deportation of a significant portion of the Judean population into exile. For the Israelites, Jerusalem, and especially Mount Zion, was not merely a city but the chosen dwelling place of Yahweh, the site of the Temple, and the symbol of their covenant relationship with God. The idea that this sacred space could be utterly destroyed and overrun by wild animals was profoundly shocking and culturally humiliating. Foxes (or more broadly, jackals, which were common in the region) were known scavengers and inhabitants of ruins, their presence signifying complete abandonment and the reversal of divine order, as seen in other prophetic warnings of desolation such as [Isaiah 34:13](/isaiah/34-13 "Isaiah 34:13 - Desolation of Edom"). The imagery would have resonated deeply with a people whose identity was intricately tied to their land and their holy city.

* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 5:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Profound Desolation and Ruin**, vividly illustrating the extent of the catastrophe that befell Jerusalem. The image of foxes on Zion is a powerful symbol of utter abandonment, where sacred space has become common wilderness. Secondly, it highlights the **Loss of Sacred Space and Divine Presence**, as Zion, once inviolable and the locus of God's presence, is now defiled and empty. This challenges the theological understanding of God's dwelling among His people, prompting a crisis of faith. Thirdly, the verse implicitly points to the **Consequences of Sin and Covenant Disobedience**. The suffering and desolation described throughout Lamentations are understood as a direct result of Israel's persistent rebellion against God's covenant, fulfilling the curses outlined in the Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Finally, the humiliation of Zion's state emphasizes the theme of **Shame and Degradation**, as the chosen people and their holy city are brought low in the eyes of the nations, a stark contrast to the glory promised to Zion in future prophecies (e.g., [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord's House")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mountain (Hebrew, _har'_):** Refers to Mount Zion (H2022), a significant geographical and theological landmark in Jerusalem. In this context, "mountain" is not just a physical elevation but represents the entire sacred precinct of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount. Its desolation signifies the complete destruction of the spiritual and national center of Israel, a place once considered impregnable and holy.
* **Desolate (Hebrew, _shâmêm'_):** This word (H8074) implies utter ruin, astonishment, and horror. It describes a state of being laid waste, empty, and uninhabitable. The use of this term for Zion emphasizes the shocking and complete nature of the destruction, transforming a vibrant, holy city into a wasteland that evokes a sense of dread and abandonment.
* **Foxes (Hebrew, _shûwʻâl'_):** The term (H7776) can refer to either foxes or jackals, both of which are scavengers known for inhabiting ruins and desolate areas. Their presence on Mount Zion is not just a literal observation but a powerful symbolic image. It signifies that the place once reserved for divine presence and human worship has been reduced to a wild, untamed, and defiled space, overrun by creatures associated with decay and wilderness, highlighting the complete absence of human life and sacred order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because of the mountain of Zion":** This initial phrase immediately establishes the subject of the lament—Mount Zion, the most sacred and central location for the Jewish people, the site of the Temple and the city of David. The "because of" implies that Zion itself, or what has happened to it, is the cause or focus of the profound sorrow and the subsequent description of desolation. It highlights the deeply personal and national grief tied to this specific holy site.
* **"which is desolate":** This clause directly describes the state of Mount Zion. The term "desolate" conveys a sense of utter ruin, emptiness, and abandonment. It signifies that the once-vibrant and populated holy mountain, bustling with worshippers and priestly activity, has been laid waste, stripped of its inhabitants, its structures destroyed, and its sacredness violated. This desolation is not merely physical but also deeply spiritual, indicating a perceived withdrawal of God's protective presence.
* **"the foxes walk upon it":** This is the most striking and poignant image of the verse. The presence of foxes (or jackals) freely roaming on Mount Zion is a powerful symbol of the complete degradation and wildness that has overtaken the sacred space. These animals, associated with wilderness and ruin, signify that the holy mountain has been reduced to an untamed wasteland, devoid of human life, order, and reverence. It underscores the profound humiliation and the reversal of divine order, where the sacred has become profane, and the inhabited has become wild.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 5:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of profound sorrow and ruin. The most prominent is **Imagery**, which paints a vivid picture of desolation through the concrete detail of "foxes walk upon" Mount Zion. This stark visual immediately communicates the extent of destruction and abandonment. Hand-in-hand with imagery is **Symbolism**: Mount Zion itself symbolizes the heart of Israel's spiritual and national identity, God's dwelling place, and the covenant relationship. Its desolation, therefore, symbolizes the shattering of that identity, the perceived withdrawal of God, and the breaking of the covenant. The "foxes" are also highly symbolic, representing not just literal animals but the encroachment of wildness, decay, and defilement upon what was once holy and ordered. The verse also utilizes **Pathos**, evoking deep emotion—grief, shock, and humiliation—through its depiction of such a sacred place being reduced to such a state. The unexpected and disturbing presence of wild animals in a revered sanctuary powerfully underscores the tragedy and the complete reversal of fortune for the people of Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 5:18 profoundly articulates the theological truth that even sacred spaces are not immune to judgment when a people persistently disobeys God's covenant. The desolation of Zion serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin, illustrating that God's holiness demands righteousness, and His patience has limits. This verse highlights the tension between God's promise to dwell among His people and the reality of His judgment, prompting a deep theological reflection on divine sovereignty, justice, and the nature of His presence. It also foreshadows the need for a new covenant and a new dwelling place for God, not made with human hands, but established by divine grace.

* [Psalm 74:7](/psalms/74-7 "Psalm 74:7 - Desecration of the Sanctuary") - "They have set your sanctuary on fire; they have profaned the dwelling place of your name, bringing it to the ground."
* [Micah 3:12](/micah/3-12 "Micah 3:12 - Prophecy of Jerusalem's Ruin") - "Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the temple a wooded height."
* [Nehemiah 2:3](/nehemiah/2-3 "Nehemiah 2:3 - Nehemiah's Grief for Jerusalem") - "and I said to the king, 'May the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?'"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 5:18 invites us to reflect on the sacredness of places, relationships, and our own spiritual lives. The image of foxes on Zion is a powerful metaphor for spiritual neglect and the consequences of allowing our "sacred spaces"—our hearts, our homes, our communities, and our churches—to fall into disrepair. Just as Zion was meant to be a dwelling place for God's presence, our lives are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit. When we allow sin, apathy, or worldly distractions to take root, we risk experiencing a spiritual desolation where the "foxes" of despair, division, or spiritual barrenness begin to roam freely. This verse serves as a sober warning to guard our hearts, diligently pursue righteousness, and actively cultivate God's presence, lest our spiritual "Zion" become desolate. It also calls us to lament over the brokenness in our world and in our own lives, acknowledging the pain of spiritual decline, and turning back to God in repentance and hope for restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "sacred spaces" in your life (e.g., your relationship with God, your family, your church) might be experiencing a form of "desolation" or neglect?**
* **What "foxes" (e.g., specific sins, apathy, distractions, bitterness) might be encroaching upon these sacred spaces, causing spiritual barrenness?**
* **How does the lament over Zion's desolation inspire you to pursue spiritual restoration and actively guard what is holy in your life?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "foxes" walking on Mount Zion?**

Answer: The presence of "foxes" (or jackals, which are similar wild scavengers common in the region) on Mount Zion is deeply significant. It is not merely a literal observation but a powerful symbol of utter desolation, abandonment, and defilement. Mount Zion was the most sacred site in Israel, home to the Temple and the perceived dwelling place of God. For wild animals, associated with wilderness and ruins, to roam freely there signifies that the holy city has been reduced to an untamed wasteland, devoid of human life, order, and reverence. It underscores the profound humiliation and the complete reversal of divine order, where the sacred has become profane, and the inhabited has become wild, illustrating the depth of God's judgment and the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness.

**Does this verse imply that God abandoned Zion?**

Answer: While the verse vividly portrays the desolation of Zion, it doesn't necessarily imply God's permanent abandonment. Instead, it reflects the *experience* of abandonment and the *consequences* of God's judgment upon His people for their persistent sin and covenant disobedience. The destruction of the Temple and the city was a severe act of divine discipline, fulfilling the warnings given in the Law (e.g., [Leviticus 26:31-33](/leviticus/26-31 "Leviticus 26:31-33 - Consequences of Disobedience")). The book of Lamentations, despite its profound grief, is ultimately a prayer for God's remembrance and restoration (e.g., [Lamentations 5:21](/lamentations/5-21 "Lamentations 5:21 - A Plea for Restoration")), demonstrating a continued hope in God's faithfulness even amidst judgment. The desolation was temporary, designed to bring about repentance and ultimately lead to restoration, as promised by prophets like Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Promise of Restoration")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 5:18, with its poignant image of a desolate Zion overrun by foxes, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's revelation of a new and spiritual temple not made with human hands, and a new Jerusalem. The physical desolation of Zion under the Old Covenant points to the deeper spiritual desolation of humanity under the curse of sin, which Christ came to reverse. Jesus himself lamented over Jerusalem's spiritual blindness, recognizing that its rejection of Him would lead to its ultimate destruction ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")). However, in Christ, the true "Mountain of the Lord" is established, not a physical location susceptible to ruin, but a spiritual reality. He is the cornerstone of a new, living temple, His body, the church ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus conquers the desolation of sin, making a way for God's Spirit to dwell not in a stone building, but within believers ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). The ultimate hope for Zion's restoration is realized in the heavenly Jerusalem, the bride of Christ, where God will dwell eternally with His people, and there will be no more sorrow or desolation ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, the lament over a desecrated Zion foreshadows the profound need for Christ, who alone brings true and lasting restoration, transforming spiritual wilderness into a vibrant dwelling place for God.

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

Micah 3:12

Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed [as] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

Jeremiah 9:11

And I will make Jerusalem heaps, [and] a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.

1 Kings 9:7

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

1 Kings 9:8

And at this house, [which] is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?

Jeremiah 26:9

Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

Isaiah 32:13

Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns [and] briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy [in] the joyous city:

Isaiah 32:14

Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;