Lamentations 5:9

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Lamentations 5:9 starkly illustrates the desperate conditions faced by the people of Judah following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The verse paints a vivid picture of extreme hardship and constant danger, where even the most basic necessity—food—could only be acquired at immense personal risk.

Context

The book of Lamentations is a collection of mournful poems, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, lamenting the devastating fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile. This particular verse reflects the dire situation of those left behind or attempting to survive in the ravaged land. The phrase "sword of the wilderness" points to the pervasive threat from marauding bands, remnant Babylonian forces, or opportunistic raiders who roamed the desolated countryside, making travel and foraging for food incredibly perilous. The once-fertile land was now a dangerous wilderness, echoing the prophetic warnings of curses for disobedience, where enemies would press them with hunger and thirst.

Key Themes

  • Extreme Scarcity and Famine: The verse underscores the profound lack of food, forcing individuals to risk their lives for mere sustenance. This highlights the severity of the siege and its aftermath, where basic survival became a daily struggle.
  • Constant Danger and Insecurity: Life was precarious. The "sword of the wilderness" symbolizes the pervasive violence and lack of safety. There was no peace or security, only a relentless threat from those who would exploit the vulnerable.
  • Consequences of Sin and Judgment: The suffering described in Lamentations is presented as a direct result of Judah's persistent rebellion against God. The verse is a tangible manifestation of divine judgment, a theme woven throughout the book, as seen in Lamentations 1:5.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's parenthetical addition "[the peril of]" accurately captures the nuance of the original Hebrew. The phrase "with our lives" (בְּנַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ - b'nafshoteinu) literally means "with our souls" or "with our very beings," emphasizing that their lives were literally on the line. It wasn't just difficult; it was life-threatening. The "sword of the wilderness" (חֶרֶב הַמִּדְבָּר - ḥerev hammidbar) vividly portrays an uncontrolled, lawless environment where violence was rampant.

Practical Application

Lamentations 5:9 serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of peace and the devastating impact of war and societal collapse. It fosters empathy for those in contemporary war zones or regions suffering from famine, where daily life involves similar struggles for survival. The verse also implicitly highlights the immense blessing of readily available food and security, prompting gratitude for common provisions that are often taken for granted. Furthermore, it underscores the severe consequences when a nation or individuals stray from God's ways, leading to circumstances where basic needs are met with extreme peril, a stark contrast to God's desire for peace and prosperity for His people.

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

  • Ezekiel 4:16 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Ezekiel 12:18 (3 votes)

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

  • Ezekiel 12:19 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.