Lamentations 5:6

KJV

We have given the hand [to] the Egyptians, [and to] the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.

KJV (with Strong's)

We have given {H5414} the hand {H3027} to the Egyptians {H4714}, and to the Assyrians {H804}, to be satisfied {H7646} with bread {H3899}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We made pacts with Egypt and Ashur to get enough food.

Berean Standard Bible

We submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.

American Standard Version

We have given the hand to the Egyptians, And to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 5:6 poignantly captures the profound humiliation and desperate plight of the people of Judah following the destruction of Jerusalem. It laments their forced reliance on former adversaries, Egypt and Assyria, to secure basic sustenance, symbolizing a history of misplaced trust in human alliances rather than divine provision. This verse underscores the dire consequences of national disobedience and the abject destitution that reduced a once-proud nation to begging for survival.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 5 stands apart from the preceding four chapters, which are structured as acrostic poems. This final chapter is a communal prayer, a direct and impassioned plea to God, articulating the deep anguish, physical suffering, and spiritual desolation of the survivors. Unlike the individual laments or historical reflections of earlier chapters, chapter 5 is a collective cry for restoration, detailing the myriad forms of hardship experienced by the remnant. Verse 6 specifically serves as a retrospective confession, acknowledging past national failures—namely, the tendency to seek security and provision from powerful foreign nations—which contributed to their current state of utter dependence and humiliation. It highlights the depth of their fall, where even basic needs could only be met through subservience to those who had historically been rivals or oppressors.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Lamentations is the catastrophic Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC, which led to the destruction of the Temple, the city, and the exile of its people. This event marked the culmination of centuries of prophetic warnings against Judah's idolatry and disobedience. Culturally, "giving the hand" (Hebrew: _natannu yad_) was a common idiom signifying submission, making a covenant, or seeking favor, often implying a subservient or vassal relationship. Throughout their history, both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah frequently vacillated between trusting in God's covenant faithfulness and forming strategic alliances with dominant regional powers like Egypt and Assyria. Prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah vehemently condemned these alliances, viewing them as a profound lack of faith in Yahweh, who alone was their true protector and provider. Lamentations 5:6 reflects the tragic outcome of such policies, where Judah, once a sovereign nation, was reduced to a state of such destitution that it had to humble itself before these very nations for mere survival.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 5:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully conveys the theme of **Desperation and Humiliation**, portraying a people stripped of dignity and forced to beg for basic necessities from their former enemies. This highlights the profound depth of their suffering and the complete breakdown of their societal and economic structures. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Misplaced Trust and Failed Alliances**. The act of "giving the hand" to Egypt and Assyria vividly symbolizes Judah's historical reliance on human strength and political maneuvering rather than on God's covenant faithfulness. This was a recurring sin throughout Israel's history, where seeking help from foreign nations was consistently condemned as a lack of faith, as seen in the prophetic denunciations of [Isaiah 30:1](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help"). Finally, the verse clearly illustrates the **Consequences of Disobedience**. The dire situation described in Lamentations is presented as a direct result of Judah's prolonged rebellion against God. Their reduced state, where they had to beg for basic sustenance from their enemies, serves as a stark fulfillment of the curses of disobedience outlined in the covenant, such as those found in [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - Curses for Disobedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** H3027. This primitive word, distinct from _kaph_ (the closed hand), refers to the open hand, indicating power, means, direction, and a vast array of literal and figurative applications. In this context, "giving the hand" is a powerful idiom signifying submission, surrender, making an agreement or covenant, or seeking favor. It denotes a subservient posture, implying that Judah had to humble itself, perhaps even becoming vassals, to secure basic necessities. It profoundly illustrates their loss of autonomy and national dignity.
* **Given (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** H5414. A primitive root meaning "to give," used with immense latitude of application, including to put, make, appoint, bestow, commit, or yield. Here, "we have given" implies an active, though perhaps coerced, choice on the part of the people to enter into this subservient relationship. It highlights a deliberate act of seeking external aid, even from historical adversaries, rather than relying solely on divine provision.
* **Satisfied (Hebrew, _sâbaʻ'_):** H7646. This primitive root means "to sate," or "to fill to satisfaction," whether literally or figuratively. In the context of "satisfied with bread," it underscores a basic, primal need. The people were not seeking abundance or luxury, but simply enough to fill their stomachs and survive. The desperate nature of their situation is amplified by the fact that they had to resort to such humiliating measures for mere satiation, highlighting the complete breakdown of their society and economy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We have given the hand to the Egyptians":** This clause describes a past or present act of submission or alliance with Egypt. Historically, Judah frequently sought military or economic assistance from Egypt, often against God's direct commands and prophetic warnings. The "giving of the hand" signifies entering into a subservient relationship or making a desperate plea for aid, acknowledging their powerlessness and dependence on a foreign nation.
* **"and to the Assyrians":** This addition reinforces the pattern of misplaced trust. Assyria, a formidable empire that had previously threatened and conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, and even besieged Jerusalem, represents another powerful, often hostile, nation with whom Judah had sought alliances or appeasement in times of distress. The dual mention emphasizes a recurring national sin of relying on human strength rather than God's.
* **"to be satisfied with bread":** This final clause reveals the ultimate, desperate motivation behind their actions. "Bread" (Hebrew: _lechem_) represents fundamental sustenance and survival. The fact that a once-proud nation, chosen by God, was reduced to humbling itself before its historical enemies merely to obtain basic food highlights the extreme destitution, famine, and utter collapse of their society and economy as a consequence of divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 5:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of profound suffering and national humiliation. The phrase "We have given the hand" is a striking **Idiom** (Hebrew: _natannu yad_), signifying submission, surrender, or making a covenant. This idiom vividly portrays the loss of autonomy and dignity, as Judah is forced into a posture of subservience. The mention of "bread" functions as **Metonymy**, where a part (bread, a staple food) stands for the whole (basic sustenance, survival, and the absence of any other means of provision). This highlights the primal, desperate nature of their need. There is also an underlying **Irony** in the verse: the very nations (Egypt and Assyria) that had historically been either oppressors or unreliable allies are now the ones from whom Judah must beg for survival. This sharp contrast underscores the depth of their fall and the futility of their past reliance on these powers. Finally, "Egyptians" and "Assyrians" can be seen as a form of **Synecdoche**, representing not just those specific nations but any powerful, ungodly worldly system or human alliance that people might turn to instead of God in times of crisis.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 5:6 serves as a profound theological statement on the consequences of misplaced trust and national disobedience. It vividly illustrates the tragic outcome when a covenant people repeatedly turn away from their divine Provider and Protector, opting instead to rely on the fleeting strength of human alliances and worldly powers. The desperation for "bread" from Egypt and Assyria underscores the ultimate futility of seeking satisfaction and security outside of God's sovereign care. This verse powerfully reminds us that true provision and lasting peace are found only in faithful dependence on the Lord, who alone is able to sustain His people, even in the direst circumstances. It is a stark reminder that compromise with the world for perceived security ultimately leads to deeper humiliation and spiritual destitution.

* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help")
* [Hosea 7:11](/hosea/7-11 "Hosea 7:11 - Ephraim like a silly dove, without sense")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots, some in horses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 5:6 offers a timeless and sobering lesson for believers today, challenging us to examine the true sources of our security and satisfaction. In a world that constantly tempts us to place our trust in wealth, political systems, human ingenuity, or powerful connections, this verse serves as a stark warning against the dangers of misplaced reliance. When faced with desperation, the temptation to "give the hand" to worldly solutions—even those that compromise our faith or values—can be overwhelming. However, this text calls us to remember that our ultimate sustenance, dignity, and security come from God alone. It compels us to cultivate a radical dependence on Him, recognizing that true provision flows from His unfailing faithfulness, not from the fleeting promises of human power. Adversity, as depicted in Lamentations, can be a painful but necessary catalyst, exposing where our true trust lies and driving us back to the Lord for genuine provision and spiritual restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to "give the hand" to worldly systems or human strength rather than trusting fully in God's provision?**
* **How does the desperate need for "bread" in this verse challenge my understanding of what truly satisfies and sustains me?**
* **What current anxieties or uncertainties might be tempting me to seek security outside of God's sovereign care, and how can I reorient my trust towards Him?**

### FAQ
**What does "given the hand" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Lamentations 5:6, "given the hand" (Hebrew: _natannu yad_) is a powerful idiom signifying submission, surrender, or the act of making a covenant or agreement, often implying a subservient relationship. It illustrates that the people of Judah, in their extreme desperation, were forced to humble themselves and seek favor or enter into a dependent arrangement with their historical adversaries, Egypt and Assyria, simply to survive. This phrase vividly portrays their loss of autonomy and national dignity.

**Why are Egypt and Assyria mentioned specifically?**

Answer: Egypt and Assyria were two dominant regional powers throughout the history of Israel and Judah. They were often either oppressors or nations with whom Judah sought alliances for protection or economic benefit, frequently against the warnings of God's prophets. Their mention here is significant because it highlights a recurring pattern of misplaced trust in human strength and political maneuvering rather than relying on God alone. The fact that Judah was reduced to begging from these very nations underscores the depth of their humiliation and the futility of their past reliance on such worldly powers, as condemned in passages like [Isaiah 30:7](/isaiah/30-7 "Isaiah 30:7 - Egypt's help is worthless").

**How does this verse relate to the overall message of Lamentations?**

Answer: Lamentations 5:6 encapsulates a core message of the book: the profound suffering and humiliation of Judah as a direct consequence of their disobedience and misplaced trust in human alliances. The entire book is a lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent desolation, seen as divine judgment for the nation's sins. This verse specifically highlights the abject destitution and loss of national pride that resulted, fulfilling prophetic warnings of what would happen if they abandoned their covenant with God and sought security from foreign entities, as warned in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). It underscores the depth of their fall and their desperate need for God's mercy and restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 5:6, with its poignant depiction of a people reduced to begging for "bread" from their former oppressors, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Humanity, in its spiritual destitution due to sin, is in a far more desperate state than Judah's physical hunger, having "given the hand" to the dominion of sin and death, seeking satisfaction in the fleeting provisions of the world. Just as Judah sought bread from Egypt and Assyria, humanity often seeks meaning, security, and fulfillment in worldly systems, philosophies, or material possessions, only to find itself perpetually hungry and enslaved. However, Jesus declares Himself to be the true [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offering eternal satisfaction to all who come to Him, contrasting sharply with the temporary and humiliating "bread" obtained from worldly alliances. His sacrifice on the cross represents the ultimate divine provision, a perfect and complete atonement that frees us from the futile attempts to satisfy our spiritual hunger through human effort or worldly compromise, as the author of Hebrews explains how Christ's sacrifice supersedes all previous offerings in [Hebrews 10:4-10](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4-10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice"). Through the New Covenant established in His blood, we are called to place our trust solely in God, not in the "Egypts" or "Assyrias" of this world. This covenant, promised in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant") and fulfilled in Christ, writes God's law on our hearts, enabling a radical dependence on Him for all true sustenance—spiritual, emotional, and physical—and liberating us from the desperate compromises of a fallen world. As followers of Christ, our citizenship is in heaven, and our ultimate allegiance and provision come from His eternal kingdom, not from the fleeting powers of this age, as Jesus Himself stated that His kingdom is [not of this world](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World").

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

Hosea 12:1

¶ Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Hosea 9:3

They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean [things] in Assyria.

Jeremiah 2:36

Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

Genesis 24:2

And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

Hosea 7:11

Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

Hosea 5:13

When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah [saw] his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.

Jeremiah 2:18

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?