Lamentations 5:7
Lamentations 5:7 in Multiple Translations
Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we bear their punishment.
Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.
Our fathers sinned, and are not; And we have borne their iniquities.
Our fathers were sinners and are dead; and the weight of their evil-doing is on us.
Our forefathers sinned and they're gone, but we're being punished for their sins.
Our fathers haue sinned, and are not, and we haue borne their iniquities.
Our fathers have sinned — they are not, We their iniquities have borne.
Our fathers sinned, and are no more. We have borne their iniquities.
Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.
Our fathers have sinned, and are not: and we have borne their iniquities.
Our ancestors sinned, and now they are dead, but we are being punished for the sins that they committed.
Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 5:7
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 5:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֲבֹתֵ֤י/נוּ
חָֽטְאוּ֙
אינ/ם
וְ/אֵינָ֔/ם
אנחנו
וַ/אֲנַ֖חְנוּ
עֲוֺנֹתֵי/הֶ֥ם
סָבָֽלְנוּ
אֲבֹתֵ֤י/נוּ
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
חָֽטְאוּ֙
châṭâʼ
H2398
to sin
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אינ/ם
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part | Suff
וְ/אֵינָ֔/ם
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Conj | Part | Suff
אנחנו
ʼănachnûw
H587
we
Pron
וַ/אֲנַ֖חְנוּ
ʼănachnûw
H587
we
Conj | Pron
עֲוֺנֹתֵי/הֶ֥ם
ʻâvôn
H5771
iniquity
N-cp | Suff
סָבָֽלְנוּ
çâbal
H5445
to bear
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 5:7
אֲבֹתֵ֤י/נוּ
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-mp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
חָֽטְאוּ֙
châṭâʼ
H2398
"to sin"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To sin means to miss the mark or go wrong, incurring guilt or penalty, and can also mean to repent or make amends. It is used in the Bible to describe wrongdoing and its consequences.
Definition: 1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to miss 1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty 1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to bear loss 1b2) to make a sin-offering 1b3) to purify from sin 1b4) to purify from uncleanness 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to miss the mark 1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin 1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way 1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass. See also: Genesis 20:6; 1 Kings 15:34; Psalms 4:5.
אינ/ם
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part | Suff
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
וְ/אֵינָ֔/ם
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Conj | Part | Suff
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
אנחנו
ʼănachnûw
H587
"we"
Pron
A Hebrew word for we or us, used for emphasis, like when Moses said we will follow God's commands, emphasizing the community's commitment.
Definition: we (first pers. pl. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: ourselves, us, we. See also: Genesis 13:8; 1 Chronicles 11:1; Psalms 20:8.
וַ/אֲנַ֖חְנוּ
ʼănachnûw
H587
"we"
Conj | Pron
A Hebrew word for we or us, used for emphasis, like when Moses said we will follow God's commands, emphasizing the community's commitment.
Definition: we (first pers. pl. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: ourselves, us, we. See also: Genesis 13:8; 1 Chronicles 11:1; Psalms 20:8.
עֲוֺנֹתֵי/הֶ֥ם
ʻâvôn
H5771
"iniquity"
N-cp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.
סָבָֽלְנוּ
çâbal
H5445
"to bear"
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
To bear means to carry something, whether it is a physical load or an emotional burden. In the Bible, it can also mean to be pregnant or to endure a difficult situation. It is often translated as 'bear' or 'carry'
Definition: 1) to bear, bear a load, drag oneself along 1a) (Qal) to bear (a load) 1b) (Pual) laden (participle) 1c)(Hithpael) to make oneself a burden, drag oneself along Aramaic equivalent: se.val (סְבַל "to bear" H5446)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: bear, be a burden, carry, strong to labour. See also: Genesis 49:15; Isaiah 46:7; Psalms 144:14.
Study Notes — Lamentations 5:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Lamentations 5:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 5:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 5:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
- Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 5:7
- Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 5:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
- Sermons on Lamentations 5:7
Context — A Prayer for Restoration
5We are closely pursued; we are weary and find no rest.
6We submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.
7Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we bear their punishment.
8Slaves rule over us; there is no one to deliver us from their hands. 9We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the wilderness.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 31:29 | “In those days, it will no longer be said: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge.’ |
| 2 | Jeremiah 16:12 | And you have done more evil than your fathers. See how each of you follows the stubbornness of his evil heart instead of obeying Me. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 18:2 | “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge’? |
| 4 | Jeremiah 14:20 | We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, the guilt of our fathers; indeed, we have sinned against You. |
| 5 | Exodus 20:5 | You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, |
| 6 | Jeremiah 31:15 | This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” |
| 7 | Matthew 23:32–36 | Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers. You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell? Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. |
| 8 | Genesis 42:36 | Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is no more. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is going against me!” |
| 9 | Job 7:21 | Why do You not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For soon I will lie down in the dust; You will seek me, but I will be no more.” |
| 10 | Job 7:8 | The eye that beholds me will no longer see me. You will look for me, but I will be no more. |
Lamentations 5:7 Summary
[This verse is saying that even though our ancestors have passed away, we are still feeling the effects of their bad choices. This is like when a child grows up in a home where their parents made poor financial decisions, and now the child has to deal with the debt. It's not fair, but it's a reality. As the Bible says in Proverbs 22:1, a good name is better than riches, and our ancestors' actions can either bring us a good name or a bad one. But the good news is that God is a God of mercy and forgiveness, and through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be set free from the consequences of sin, as promised in John 8:36.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to bear the punishment of our fathers' sins?
This concept is rooted in the biblical principle that the sins of one generation can have consequences for the next, as seen in Exodus 34:7, where God says He will punish the children for the sins of their fathers to the third and fourth generation.
Is this verse saying that we are guilty of our fathers' sins?
No, the verse is not implying that we are directly guilty of our fathers' sins, but rather that we suffer the consequences of their actions, much like the Israelites suffered in the wilderness due to the disobedience of their parents, as described in Numbers 14:33.
How does this relate to the concept of original sin?
The idea that we bear the punishment of our fathers' sins is related to the concept of original sin, which states that all humanity is born with a sinful nature due to Adam's disobedience in Genesis 3:6, and as a result, we all suffer the consequences of sin, as seen in Romans 5:12-19.
Is there hope for us if we are bearing the punishment of our fathers' sins?
Yes, there is hope, for God is a God of mercy and forgiveness, and through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be set free from the consequences of sin, as promised in John 8:36 and Romans 8:1-2.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be bearing the punishment of my fathers' sins, and how can I seek forgiveness and restoration?
- How can I break free from the cycles of sin and disobedience that have been passed down through my family, and instead, walk in obedience to God's commands?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of seeking forgiveness and making amends for my own sins, so that my children and future generations will not suffer the consequences of my actions?
- In what ways can I trust in God's mercy and forgiveness, even when I am facing the consequences of my own sins or the sins of my fathers?
- How can I use this verse to pray for my family and community, asking God to bring healing and restoration to those who are suffering due to the sins of the past?
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 5:7
Our fathers have sinned, [and are] not,.... In the world, as the Targum adds; they were in being, but not on earth; they were departed from hence, and gone into another world; and so were free from
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 5:7
Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
We must not understand this in the same sense as , where God reflecteth upon them for using a proverb to this sense. It is the prophet who here speaketh, and in the name of the godly Jews, who would not excuse themselves as if they suffered merely for their forefathers’ sins. But the prophet confesseth and bewaileth that God had punished their iniquities and the iniquities of their forefathers together; and it was better with their forefathers who had sinned, and were dead and gone, than with them, upon whom the punishment of their iniquity did abide, and was like so to do a long time.
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
Lamentations 5:7 Our fathers have sinned, [and are] not; and we have borne their iniquities.Ver. 7. Our fathers have sinned, and are not.] They had their payment, but not comparable to ours, who have outsinned them, and do therefore justly bear the punishment of both their sins and our own too. Nobis foret iucundias semel emori, quam vitara invitara vivere.
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
(7) We have borne their iniquities.—The words seem at first parallel to the proverb of the “sour grapes” in Jeremiah 31:29; Ezekiel 18:2. Here, however, it is followed in Lamentations 5:16 by a confession of personal guilt, and the complaint is simply that the former generation of offenders had passed away without the punishment which now fell upon their descendants, who thus had to bear, as it were, a double penalty.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
Verse 7. Our fathers have sinned, and are not] Nations, as such, cannot be punished in the other world; therefore national judgments are to be looked for only in this life. The punishment which the Jewish nation had been meriting for a series of years came now upon them, because they copied and increased the sins of their fathers, and the cup of their iniquity was full. Thus the children might be said to bear the sins of the fathers, that is, in temporal punishment, for in no other way does God visit these upon the children. See Ezekiel 18:1, &c.
Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 5:7
7. we have borne their iniquities] See on Jeremiah 31:29. The children, who, however, it must be acknowledged (see Lamentations 5:16) shared the guilt of preceding generations, have to bear the penalty escaped by their forbears.
Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 5:7
And are not; and we ... - Or, they are not; “we have borne their iniquities.” Our fathers who began this national apostasy died before the hour of punishment.
Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 5:7
7. Our fathers… we have borne their iniquities — They sinned, but died before the times were ripe for the punishment of the nation, hence we suffer for their sins.
Sermons on Lamentations 5:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Breaking the Bondage of an Ungodly Heritage by Don Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the concept of breaking the chains of an ungodly heritage. He criticizes the idea that individuals are not personally responsible for their ac |
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Jeremiah 31:29 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses the misrepresentation of Christianity, particularly the proverb 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes,' which suggests that children suffer for their parents' s |
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Sour Grapes by Chuck Smith | This sermon focuses on the importance of personal responsibility before God, emphasizing the need for individuals to acknowledge their sins and seek forgiveness directly from God. |
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Jesus Came to Save That Which Was Lost - Part 2 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon by Joshua Daniel emphasizes the power of Jesus Christ to deliver from sin and restore brokenness, highlighting the importance of sharing the gospel with love and compas |
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Of the Imputation of Adam's Sin to All His Posterity. by John Gill | John Gill expounds on the doctrine of the imputation of Adam's sin to all humanity, emphasizing that through Adam's disobedience, all his descendants are made sinners. He clarifies |
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Your Reasonable Service by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the life and achievements of Blaise Pascal, whom he considers the greatest intellectual in world history. He highlights Pascal's early mathema |
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A Biblical Family - a Tool in God's Hands (Part 2) by Erlo Stegen | In this final service of a weekend conference on the biblical family, the preacher emphasizes the importance of parents repenting of their sins and seeking forgiveness from God. He |