Lamentations 4:9
Lamentations 4:9 in Multiple Translations
Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.
They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.
Those who have been put to the sword are better off than those whose death is caused by need of food; for these come to death slowly, burned up like the fruit of the field.
Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who slowly waste away in agony because the fields produce no crops.
They that be slaine with the sword are better, then they that are killed with hunger: for they fade away as they were striken through for the fruites of the fielde.
Better have been the pierced of a sword Than the pierced of famine, For these flow away, pierced through, Without the increase of the field.
Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through, for lack of the fruits of the field.
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
Teth. It was better with them that were slain by the sword, than with them that died with hunger: for these pined away being consumed for want of the fruits of the earth.
It is better to die in a battle [MTY] than to die of hunger. There was no food to harvest in the fields, so the people slowly starved until they died.
Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 4:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Lamentations 4:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
טוֹבִ֤ים
הָיוּ֙
חַלְלֵי
חֶ֔רֶב
מֵֽ/חַלְלֵ֖י
רָעָ֑ב
שֶׁ֣/הֵ֤ם
יָז֨וּבוּ֙
מְדֻקָּרִ֔ים
מִ/תְּנוּבֹ֖ת
שָׂדָֽי
טוֹבִ֤ים
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
הָיוּ֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
חַלְלֵי
châlâl
H2491
slain
Adj
חֶ֔רֶב
chereb
H2719
sword
N-fs
מֵֽ/חַלְלֵ֖י
châlâl
H2491
slain
Prep | Adj
רָעָ֑ב
râʻâb
H7458
famine
N-ms
שֶׁ֣/הֵ֤ם
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Rel | Pron
יָז֨וּבוּ֙
zûwb
H2100
to flow
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
מְדֻקָּרִ֔ים
dâqar
H1856
to pierce
V-Pual-Inf-c
מִ/תְּנוּבֹ֖ת
tᵉnûwbâh
H8570
fruit
Prep | N-fp
שָׂדָֽי
sâdeh
H7704
field
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 4:9
טוֹבִ֤ים
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
הָיוּ֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
חַלְלֵי
châlâl
H2491
"slain"
Adj
This word describes something or someone that has been profaned or hurt, like in Numbers 35:33. It can also mean to be pierced or wounded, as in physically harmed.
Definition: : killed 1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced 1a) pierced, fatally wounded 1b) slain Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: kill, profane, slain (man), [idiom] slew, (deadly) wounded. See also: Genesis 34:27; Isaiah 66:16; Psalms 69:27.
חֶ֔רֶב
chereb
H2719
"sword"
N-fs
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
מֵֽ/חַלְלֵ֖י
châlâl
H2491
"slain"
Prep | Adj
This word describes something or someone that has been profaned or hurt, like in Numbers 35:33. It can also mean to be pierced or wounded, as in physically harmed.
Definition: : killed 1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced 1a) pierced, fatally wounded 1b) slain Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: kill, profane, slain (man), [idiom] slew, (deadly) wounded. See also: Genesis 34:27; Isaiah 66:16; Psalms 69:27.
רָעָ֑ב
râʻâb
H7458
"famine"
N-ms
Famine or hunger is what this Hebrew word represents, often referring to a lack of food or spiritual nourishment. It appears in books like Genesis and Jeremiah, highlighting the importance of trust in God during difficult times.
Definition: 1) famine, hunger 1a) famine (in land, nation) 1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig) 1b) hunger (of individuals)
Usage: Occurs in 88 OT verses. KJV: dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger. See also: Genesis 12:10; Jeremiah 14:12; Psalms 33:19.
שֶׁ֣/הֵ֤ם
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Rel | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
יָז֨וּבוּ֙
zûwb
H2100
"to flow"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To flow means to have a continuous movement, like water, and can also refer to wasting away or overflowing. It is used in the Bible to describe various physical and emotional states.
Definition: : flowing 1) to flow, gush, issue, discharge 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flow, gush 1a2) to die, pine away (fig.) 1a3) to flow (of issue from woman), have an issue, flux 1a4) flowing (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: flow, gush out, have a (running) issue, pine away, run. See also: Exodus 3:8; Numbers 13:27; Psalms 78:20.
מְדֻקָּרִ֔ים
dâqar
H1856
"to pierce"
V-Pual-Inf-c
To pierce or stab, as in Psalm 109:16, and can also mean to starve or revile, like in Psalm 57:4.
Definition: 1) to pierce, thrust through, pierce through 1a) (Qal) to pierce, run through 1b) (Niphal) to be pierced through 1c) (Pual) pierced, riddled (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: pierce, strike (thrust) through, wound. See also: Numbers 25:8; Jeremiah 37:10; Isaiah 13:15.
מִ/תְּנוּבֹ֖ת
tᵉnûwbâh
H8570
"fruit"
Prep | N-fp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word for fruit refers to the produce that comes from the earth, as seen in Genesis. It represents the result of labor and God's provision. It is often used to describe the abundance of God's creation.
Definition: fruit, produce
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: fruit, increase. See also: Deuteronomy 32:13; Isaiah 27:6; Ezekiel 36:30.
שָׂדָֽי
sâdeh
H7704
"field"
N-ms
A field or land is what this word represents, often referring to a flat area of land used for cultivation or as a habitat for wild animals, as described in the book of Genesis. It can also mean a plain or a country, as opposed to a mountain or sea. This term is used in the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Definition: 1) field, land 1a) cultivated field 1b) of home of wild beasts 1c) plain (opposed to mountain) 1d) land (opposed to sea)
Usage: Occurs in 309 OT verses. KJV: country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:38; Nehemiah 12:29.
Study Notes — Lamentations 4:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Lamentations 4:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 4:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 4:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 4:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 4:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 4:9
- Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 4:9
Context — The Distress of Zion
7Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like sapphires.
8But now their appearance is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick.
9Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.
10The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people. 11The LORD has exhausted His wrath; He has poured out His fierce anger; He has kindled a fire in Zion, and it has consumed her foundations.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 24:23 | Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep, but you will waste away because of your sins, and you will groan among yourselves. |
| 2 | Leviticus 26:39 | Those of you who survive in the lands of your enemies will waste away in their iniquity and will decay in the sins of their fathers. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 16:4 | “They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie like dung on the ground. They will be finished off by sword and famine, and their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.” |
| 4 | Ezekiel 33:10 | Now as for you, son of man, tell the house of Israel that this is what they have said: ‘Our transgressions and our sins are heavy upon us, and we are wasting away because of them! How can we live?’ |
Lamentations 4:9 Summary
[Lamentations 4:9 describes a heartbreaking situation where people are suffering so greatly from hunger that they think it would be better to be killed quickly by a sword. This shows just how desperate and painful their situation was, much like the conditions described in Ezekiel 5:12. The verse is a reminder that sin has severe consequences, but God is always ready to forgive and provide for those who turn to Him, as seen in Psalm 107:9. By trusting in God's goodness and mercy, we can face even the toughest challenges with hope and confidence, just as it is written in Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be pierced with pain because the fields lack produce?
This phrase in Lamentations 4:9 describes the devastating consequences of famine, where people suffer greatly due to the lack of food, much like the conditions described in Leviticus 26:26 where it is written that people will eat and not be satisfied due to the scarcity of food.
Is it really better to be slain by the sword than to die of hunger?
In the context of Lamentations 4:9, being slain by the sword is considered a quicker and less painful death compared to the prolonged suffering of starvation, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:53-57 where it describes the severe conditions of famine.
What is the significance of comparing those slain by the sword to those who die of hunger?
This comparison in Lamentations 4:9 highlights the extreme desperation and suffering of the people during the siege, where even a quick death seems more preferable than the agonizing process of starvation, reflecting the severity of God's judgment as seen in Isaiah 3:26.
How can this verse apply to our lives today?
Lamentations 4:9 serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of sin and the importance of seeking God's mercy and forgiveness, as encouraged in 1 John 1:9, and trusting in His provision even in times of hardship, as seen in Philippians 4:19.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's provision during difficult times, just as the Israelites were called to do in the wilderness?
- How can I balance the reality of suffering in this world with the hope of eternal life and redemption in Jesus Christ, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14?
- In what ways can I show compassion and care to those who are suffering, just as the compassionate women in Lamentations 4:10 were forced to do in extreme circumstances?
- What are some things that I can learn from the experiences of the Israelites during the siege of Jerusalem, and how can I apply those lessons to my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 4:9
[They that be] slain with the sword are better than [they that be] slain with hunger,.... Not that they are better with respect to their state after death, but with respect to their manner of dying.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 4:9
They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 4:9
During the siege many were killed by the enemies’ sword, many more perished by famine; the prophet saith the condition of those who perished by the sword was much better than the condition of those who perished by famine, because they had a quicker death, and were sooner despatched and put out of their pain; whereas they who perished by hunger died a miserable, lingering death, gradually pining away, because they wanted corn and herbs, the fruits of the field, to uphold their souls in life.
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 4:9
Lamentations 4:9 [They that be] slain with the sword are better than [they that be] slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for [want of] the fruits of the field.Ver. 9. They that be slain with the sword are better.] They suffer less pain in dying; they are soon despatched. See on Lamentations 4:6. But famine is a hard weapon. “ Triste genus mortis miseris mortalibus omne: Est tureen imprimis triste perire fame. ” For these pine away.] By a lingering death, as Drusus the Roman, to whom food being denied, he had eaten the stuffings of his bed, saith Suetonius; and our Richard II, who was tantalised and starved to death at Pomfret Castle, where his diet being served in and set before him in the wonted princely manner, he was not suffered either to taste or touch thereof. Stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.] Those "precious fruits of the earth," as James the apostle calleth them. These as a sword defend us from death; and the want of them, as a sword, runneth us through. In the time of Otho the emperor, there was so great a scarcity of bread grain in Germany for three years together that many thousands died of hunger; in remembrance of which great dearth there is yearly baked at Erfurt a little loaf, such as was then sold for much money. Speed, 766. Melanchth.
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 4:9
(9) For want of . . .—The italics indicate the difficulty of the sentence. Literally the clause stands, from the fruits of the field, and it has been explained by some as referring to those that died in battle, stricken through while yet there were fruits, i.e., not doomed to perish slowly from hunger. The construction of Psa 109:24, however, “faileth of fatness”—i.e., for want of fatness—gives a sufficient support to the Authorised version.
Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 4:9
9. The two modes of death experienced in the siege are contrasted. pine away] lit. as mg. flow away. stricken through] See on Jeremiah 37:10, where (mg.) “thrust through” is the same word in the Heb. As the expression seems scarcely applicable to those dying of hunger, the Heb. text is somewhat suspicious, but no obviously satisfactory emendation has been suggested.