Lamentations 5:9

KJV

We gat our bread with [the peril of] our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.

KJV (with Strong's)

We gat {H935} our bread {H3899} with the peril of our lives {H5315} because {H6440} of the sword {H2719} of the wilderness {H4057}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We get our food at the peril of our lives because of the sword in the desert.

Berean Standard Bible

We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the wilderness.

American Standard Version

We get our bread at the peril of our lives, Because of the sword of the wilderness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 5:9 vividly portrays the extreme desperation and constant peril faced by the remnant of Judah following the destruction of Jerusalem. It describes a reality where the most fundamental necessity—food—could only be obtained at the risk of one's very life, due to the pervasive threat of violence and lawlessness in the desolated land. This verse encapsulates the profound suffering, insecurity, and abject poverty that characterized life in the aftermath of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 5 is the final chapter of a book composed of five poetic laments, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC. Unlike the preceding chapters, which are acrostic poems, chapter 5 is a communal prayer or petition, directly addressing God and detailing the collective suffering of the people. Verse 9, specifically, is part of a litany of grievances presented to the Lord, painting a stark picture of the physical and societal breakdown. It underscores the depth of their humiliation and distress, providing concrete examples of the harsh realities that prompted their desperate plea for divine remembrance and restoration, as articulated in [Lamentations 5:1](/lamentations/5-1 "Lamentations 5:1 - Remember Our Reproach").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC), a catastrophic event that led to the burning of the Temple, the collapse of the Davidic monarchy, and the exile of much of the population. Those who remained in the land, or who sought to return, faced a desolate and lawless environment. The once-thriving countryside was now a "wilderness," not necessarily a literal desert, but a region devoid of order, protection, and agricultural productivity. The "sword of the wilderness" refers to the constant threat from marauding bands—whether remnant Babylonian soldiers, opportunistic raiders, or desperate individuals—who preyed upon the vulnerable, making travel and the acquisition of food incredibly perilous. Survival meant risking life and limb for basic sustenance in a land stripped bare.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Lamentations and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **Extreme Scarcity and Famine** that gripped the land, demonstrating the severity of the siege's aftermath where basic survival was a daily, life-threatening struggle. Secondly, it powerfully conveys the **Pervasive Insecurity and Violence**, symbolized by the "sword of the wilderness," illustrating a society where law and order had collapsed, leaving the populace vulnerable to constant external threats. Lastly, the suffering described, including the desperate search for food, is consistently presented throughout Lamentations as a direct manifestation of **Divine Judgment and the Consequences of Disobedience**. This aligns with the covenant curses outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), where famine and oppression by enemies are promised consequences for straying from God's commands, thereby reinforcing the theological framework of the book.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** From H3899, this word refers to food for man or beast, especially bread or grain. In this context, it signifies the most basic and essential sustenance, highlighting the dire reality that even this fundamental necessity was not readily available but had to be acquired through extreme risk. The struggle for "bread" underscores the severity of the famine and economic collapse.
* **Lives (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From H5315, _nephesh_ is a versatile term meaning a breathing creature, vitality, soul, or self. Here, "with the peril of our lives" (literally "with our souls") emphasizes that their very existence, their being, was at stake. It's not merely a physical inconvenience but a threat to their core vitality, indicating that death was a constant companion in their quest for food.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** From H2719, _chereb_ denotes a cutting instrument like a knife or sword, often associated with destruction. In this verse, "the sword of the wilderness" is a potent symbol of the pervasive violence, lawlessness, and armed threats that roamed the desolate countryside. It represents the active and deadly danger that made foraging for food a life-or-death endeavor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We gat our bread":** This phrase describes the desperate act of acquiring food. The verb "gat" (from the Hebrew H935, _bôwʼ_, "to go or come") implies a proactive, arduous effort to obtain sustenance, rather than having it readily available. It speaks to the famine conditions and the necessity of venturing out to find food.
* **"with [the peril of] our lives":** This clause reveals the immense cost and danger associated with obtaining food. The KJV's parenthetical "[the peril of]" accurately captures the sense of the Hebrew "with our lives" (בְּנַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ), meaning at the risk of their very existence or soul. It underscores the life-threatening nature of their daily struggle for survival.
* **"because of the sword of the wilderness":** This final clause specifies the reason for the extreme peril. The "sword of the wilderness" (חֶרֶב הַמִּדְבָּר) refers to the armed marauders, bandits, or remnant forces operating in the desolate, lawless countryside. The "wilderness" (H4057, _midbâr_) here signifies an uncultivated, dangerous, and uncontrolled territory, where violence was rampant and protection non-existent.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 5:9 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of suffering. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid picture of desperate individuals risking their lives for bread in a desolate, dangerous landscape. The phrase "sword of the wilderness" is a potent example of **Metonymy**, where "sword" stands in for the armed violence and marauders themselves, and "wilderness" represents the lawless, dangerous environment. This also functions as **Symbolism**, with the "wilderness" symbolizing the complete breakdown of societal order and the return to a primal, dangerous state. The entire statement carries an element of **Hyperbole**, not necessarily an exaggeration of fact, but an intensification of reality to emphasize the extreme and constant nature of the threat, highlighting that every single act of acquiring food was fraught with the highest possible danger.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 5:9 serves as a profound theological statement on the consequences of covenant disobedience and the severity of divine judgment. It illustrates how the withdrawal of God's protective hand, due to persistent sin, can lead to a complete societal breakdown where even basic human needs are met with extreme peril. This verse implicitly highlights the preciousness of peace, security, and abundant provision, blessings often taken for granted. It also underscores the brokenness of a world marred by sin, where human depravity can lead to such lawlessness and suffering. The desperation for "bread" at the cost of "lives" points to a fundamental human vulnerability and dependence, ultimately on God's sustaining grace.

* [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - Covenant Curses of Famine and Servitude") - "Therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in lack of all things; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you."
* [Jeremiah 14:18](/jeremiah/14-18 "Jeremiah 14:18 - Famine and Sword in the City") - "If I go out to the field, behold, those slain by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, those sick with famine! For both prophet and priest have gone about in the land and have no knowledge."
* [Psalm 44:19](/psalms/44-19 "Psalm 44:19 - Crushed in the Place of Jackals") - "Yet You have crushed us in a place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 5:9 is a sobering mirror reflecting the fragility of human existence and the devastating impact of societal collapse and war. It compels us to cultivate a profound sense of gratitude for the peace, security, and daily provisions that many in the world, and certainly in our own contexts, often take for granted. This verse fosters empathy for those in contemporary war zones, famine-stricken regions, or areas plagued by lawlessness, where the struggle for basic survival remains a daily, life-threatening reality. It challenges us to consider our responsibility to advocate for justice, peace, and the well-being of the vulnerable. Furthermore, it serves as a stark reminder that when a society or individuals stray from divine principles, the consequences can be dire, leading to circumstances where life's most basic needs are met with extreme peril, a stark contrast to God's desire for human flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our assumptions about security and readily available provisions in our own lives?**
* **What does Lamentations 5:9 reveal about the human condition when basic needs are threatened, and how might this inform our compassion for others?**
* **In what ways might we be complacent about the 'swords' (threats like injustice, poverty, violence) in our own 'wildernesses' (societies or communities)?**
* **How can reflecting on such historical suffering deepen our gratitude for the blessings of peace and abundance we experience?**

### FAQ
**What does "the sword of the wilderness" specifically refer to?**

Answer: "The sword of the wilderness" refers to the pervasive threat of armed marauders, bandits, or remnant military forces that roamed the desolate and lawless countryside of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem. The "wilderness" here doesn't necessarily mean a barren desert, but rather an uncultivated, ungoverned, and dangerous territory where there was no central authority to maintain order or protect the populace. These groups would prey upon anyone venturing out, making the simple act of acquiring food a life-threatening endeavor. It symbolizes the complete breakdown of civil society and the constant, violent peril faced by the survivors, as opposed to the relative safety of a structured society.

**How does this verse relate to God's judgment on Judah?**

Answer: Lamentations 5:9, like much of the book, is understood within the theological framework of divine judgment. The suffering described—the famine, the insecurity, the constant threat of violence—is presented as a direct consequence of Judah's persistent disobedience and rebellion against God's covenant. Prophets like Jeremiah had warned for centuries that if the people turned away from the Lord, they would face severe curses, including famine, war, and exile, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Thus, the verse is a tangible manifestation of God's righteous discipline, a fulfillment of His warnings, demonstrating that He holds nations accountable for their sin.

**Is there any hope in Lamentations despite such a bleak picture?**

Answer: While Lamentations is characterized by profound grief and despair, it is not without hope. The central pivot of the book occurs in [Lamentations 3](/lamentations/3 "Lamentations 3 - God's Steadfast Love"), particularly verses 21-23, where the prophet shifts from lament to a declaration of hope rooted in God's unfailing love, mercies, and faithfulness. Even amidst the suffering, the people continue to cry out to God, acknowledging His justice and appealing to His compassion. The very act of lamenting to God is an expression of hope—a belief that He hears, that He is just, and that He is capable of restoring His people, even from the depths of their despair.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 5:9, in its stark portrayal of desperate humanity risking life for bread in a world consumed by the "sword," finds its ultimate fulfillment and answer in Jesus Christ. The physical hunger and peril described in Lamentations point to a deeper spiritual famine and the pervasive threat of sin and death that afflicts all humanity. While the people of Judah risked their lives for perishable bread, Jesus declared Himself to be the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offering eternal sustenance that requires no perilous journey but only faith. He is the one who willingly faced the ultimate "sword"—not of the wilderness, but the sword of divine judgment against sin—on the cross, as foreshadowed in passages like [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed"). Through His sacrifice, Christ absorbed the consequences of humanity's rebellion, providing not just temporary relief but true and lasting peace, security, and life. He conquered the ultimate threat of death, freeing those who were held in its bondage ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Frees from Fear of Death")), and promises a future where physical hunger, the sword, and all tears will be no more ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")). Thus, the desperation for bread and the fear of the sword in Lamentations are profoundly resolved in the person and work of Christ, who offers the true bread of life and ultimate victory over all threats.

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

Ezekiel 4:16

Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:

Ezekiel 4:17

That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.

Ezekiel 12:18

Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;

Ezekiel 12:19

And say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, [and] of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their water with astonishment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein.

Jeremiah 40:9

And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

Jeremiah 40:12

Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

Jeremiah 41:1

¶ Now it came to pass in the seventh month, [that] Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.