Lamentations 5:12
Lamentations 5:12 in Multiple Translations
Princes have been hung up by their hands; elders receive no respect.
Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.
Princes were hanged up by their hand: The faces of elders were not honored.
Their hands put princes to death by hanging: the faces of old men were not honoured.
Princes have been hung up by their hands; they show elders no respect.
The princes are hanged vp by their hande: the faces of the elders were not had in honour.
Princes by their hand have been hanged, The faces of elders have not been honoured.
Princes were hanged up by their hands. The faces of elders were not honored.
Princes were hanged by their hand: the faces of elders were not honored.
The princes were hanged up by their hand: they did not respect the persons of the ancient.
Our enemies have hanged our leaders, and they do not respect our elders.
Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 5:12
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 5:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שָׂרִים֙
בְּ/יָדָ֣/ם
נִתְל֔וּ
פְּנֵ֥י
זְקֵנִ֖ים
לֹ֥א
נֶהְדָּֽרוּ
שָׂרִים֙
sar
H8269
ruler
N-mp
בְּ/יָדָ֣/ם
yâd
H3027
hand
Prep | N-cs | Suff
נִתְל֔וּ
tâlâh
H8518
to hang
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
פְּנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
זְקֵנִ֖ים
zâqên
H2205
old
Adj
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
נֶהְדָּֽרוּ
hâdar
H1921
to honor
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 5:12
שָׂרִים֙
sar
H8269
"ruler"
N-mp
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden
Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
בְּ/יָדָ֣/ם
yâd
H3027
"hand"
Prep | N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
נִתְל֔וּ
tâlâh
H8518
"to hang"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
To hang something or someone is what this Hebrew word means, often used to describe punishment or display. It can also mean to hang an object, like a curtain or a sign. The word is used in Exodus and Numbers.
Definition: 1) to hang 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hang 1a1a) to hang up (any object) 1a1b) to put to death by hanging 1b) (Niphal) to be hanged 1c) (Piel) to hang, hang up (for display)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: hang (up). See also: Genesis 40:19; Esther 7:9; Psalms 137:2.
פְּנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
זְקֵנִ֖ים
zâqên
H2205
"old"
Adj
This Hebrew word means old or elderly, as in the case of the elderly men who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:11. It can also refer to those in positions of authority, like the elders who helped Moses in Exodus 24:1. The term is used to describe respect and leadership.
Definition: : old 1) old 1a) old (of humans) 1b) elder (of those having authority) Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator. See also: Genesis 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:14; Psalms 105:22.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נֶהְדָּֽרוּ
hâdar
H1921
"to honor"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
To honor means to show respect or admiration, like honoring God or someone in authority, as mentioned in Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to honour, adorn, glorify, be high 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to swell 1a1a) swelling (pass participle) 1a2) to honour, pay honour to, show partiality 1a3) to adorn 1a3a) adorned (pass participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be honoured 1c) (Hithpael) to honour oneself, claim honour
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: countenance, crooked place, glorious, honour, put forth. See also: Exodus 23:3; Proverbs 25:6; Isaiah 45:2.
Study Notes — Lamentations 5:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Lamentations 5:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 5:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 5:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
- Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 5:12
- Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 5:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
- Sermons on Lamentations 5:12
Context — A Prayer for Restoration
10Our skin is as hot as an oven with fever from our hunger.
11Women have been ravished in Zion, virgins in the cities of Judah.
12Princes have been hung up by their hands; elders receive no respect.
13Young men toil at millstones; boys stagger under loads of wood. 14The elders have left the city gate; the young men have stopped their music.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 4:16 | The presence of the LORD has scattered them; He regards them no more. The priests are shown no honor; the elders find no favor. |
| 2 | Isaiah 47:6 | I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke. |
| 3 | Lamentations 2:20 | Look, O LORD, and consider: Whom have You ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the infants they have nurtured? Should priests and prophets be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord? |
| 4 | Jeremiah 39:6–7 | There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah. Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon. |
| 5 | Lamentations 2:10 | The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 52:25–27 | Of those still in the city, he took a court official who had been appointed over the men of war, as well as seven trusted royal advisers. He also took the scribe of the captain of the army, who had enlisted the people of the land, and sixty men who were found in the city. Nebuzaradan captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. There at Riblah in the land of Hamath, the king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death. So Judah was taken into exile, away from its own land. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 52:10–11 | There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the officials of Judah. Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon, where he kept him in custody until his dying day. |
Lamentations 5:12 Summary
This verse is saying that even the most important people, like princes and elders, are being treated very badly and have lost all respect. This is a sign that the whole society is falling apart, and it's a warning to us that when we reject God's ways, everything can start to unravel, as we see in Psalm 11:3. We can learn from this that true respect and honor come from God, not from human power or position, and that we should always seek to humble ourselves and follow Him, as taught in Matthew 23:12.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that princes have been hung up by their hands?
This phrase is a metaphor for the utter shame and humiliation of leaders who have been captured and publicly displayed, much like the way Jesus Christ was crucified and lifted up for all to see, as prophesied in Psalm 22:16-18 and fulfilled in John 19:17-19.
Why do elders receive no respect in this verse?
The lack of respect for elders in Lamentations 5:12 is a sign of the complete breakdown of societal norms and values, similar to what the prophet Isaiah warned about in Isaiah 3:12, where the people are led astray by children and women.
Is this verse talking about a specific historical event?
While Lamentations 5:12 does not specify a particular event, it is likely referring to the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, which is also described in 2 Kings 25:1-21 and Jeremiah 52:1-34.
What can we learn from the fact that princes and elders are being mistreated?
This verse teaches us that when a nation rejects God's ways, even its leaders can fall and be humiliated, as seen in Proverbs 29:2, where it says that when the righteous thrive, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Reflection Questions
- How can I, as a follower of God, show respect to those in authority, even when they may not deserve it?
- In what ways can I humble myself and seek God's guidance, rather than relying on human leaders or institutions?
- What are some ways that I can pray for my leaders, that they might be wise and just, as encouraged in 1 Timothy 2:1-4?
- How can I, as a member of a community, work to uphold and respect the dignity of all people, regardless of their position or status?
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 5:12
Princes are hanged up by their hand,.... According to some, as Aben Ezra observes, by the hand of the servants before mentioned; however, by the hand of the Chaldeans or Babylonians; see Jeremiah 52:10.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 5:12
Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured. Princes are hanged up by their hand - a piece of wanton cruelty invented by the Chaldeans.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
Most probably by the enemies’ hands, though some would have it by their hands, intimating a more sharp and lingering death. Hanging was an ancient way in the Eastern countries of putting malefactors to death, .
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
Lamentations 5:12 Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.Ver. 12. Princes are hanged up by the hand.] Made to die a dog’ s death, and, as some will have it, by their own hands, αυτοχειρες. The faces of the elders were not honoured.] “ Magna fuit quondam capitis reverentia cani: Inque suo precio ruga senilis erat, ” - Ovid. But now it was otherwise with the Jewish elders, who haply were not worthy of their years, as we say; like as the princes had done wickedly with both hands earnestly, and were therefore not undeservedly hanged up hy the hand; but if Quakers among us might have their way, our families, saith one, would soon be like the cabins of the Lestringonians in Sicily, where everybody was at liberty, and none regarded or reverenced their seniors or superiors. Calvin.
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
(12) Princes are hanged . . .—The words point to the shameless exposure of the bodies of the dead. (Comp. the treatment of Saul and his sons in 1 Samuel 31:10-12.) This was the common practice of the Assyrian kings (Records of the Past, i. 38). Neither age nor dignity (both are implied in the word “elders”) was any safeguard against atrocities, either in life or death.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
Verse 12. Princes are hanged up by their hand] It is very probable that this was a species of punishment. They were suspended from hooks in the wall by their hands till they died through torture and exhaustion. The body of Saul was fastened to the wall of Bethshan, probably in the same way; but his head had already been taken off. They were hung in this way that they might be devoured by the fowls of the air. It was a custom with the Persians after they had slain, strangled, or beheaded their enemies, to hang their bodies upon poles, or empale them. In this way they treated Histiaeus of Miletum, and Leonidas of Lacedaemon. See Herodot. lib. vi. c. 30, lib. vii. c. 238.
Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 5:12
12. The reference may either be to impalement after death, or to torture in order, as Pe. suggests, to obtain information as to hidden treasure. Both death by crucifixion and subsequent impalement were regarded with the utmost abhorrence by the Jews. For the former see Deuteronomy 21:23.
Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 5:12
After the princes had been put to death their bodies were hung up by the hand to expose them to public contumely. Old age, again, no more availed to shield men from shameful treatment than the high rank of the princes.
Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 5:12
11-13. Ravished the women — In those verses we have individualizing illustrations of the unhappy lot of the people.
Sermons on Lamentations 5:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
"Unpopular" Promises Regarding Pride and Humility by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra preaches on the contrasting promises of pride and humility, emphasizing that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exal |
|
Monday Night (2 Peter 1-21) - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Samson from the Bible. He highlights how Samson, who was once a powerful and mighty warrior, is now imprisoned and bound with ch |
|
Faithfulness - Being Called Out & Into by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God. He refers to the letters to the churches in Revelation, specifically the letter to the church in Smyr |