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Lamentations 4:1

Old Testament Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Lamentations 4:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “How is the gold become dim! [how] is the most pure gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

How is the gold become dim! [how] is the most pure gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.
Lamentations 4:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Lamentations 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1How is the gold become dim! [how] is the most pure gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.
2The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!
3Even the jackals draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: The daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
4The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: The young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.
← Lamentations 3:66Lamentations 4:2 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“How is the gold become dim! etc.] Or “covered” f98; or hid with rust, dust, or dirt; so that it can scarcely be discerned: [how] is the most fine gold changed! this may be literally true of the gold of the temple; and so the Targum calls it “the gold of the house of the sanctuary;” with which that was overlaid, and many things in it, (<110621>1 Kings 6:21,22); and was sadly sullied and tarnished with the burning of the temple, and the rubbish of it: its brightness was lost, and its colour changed; but though there may be an allusion to that, it is to be figuratively understood of the people of God; for what is here expressed in parabolical phrases, as Aben Ezra observes, is in…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“THE SAD CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM, THE HOPE OF RESTORATION, AND THE RETRIBUTION AWAITING IDUMEA FOR JOINING BABYLON AGAINST JUDEA. (Lam. 4:1-22) gold--the splendid adornment of the temple [CALVIN] (Lam 1:10; Kg1 6:22; Jer 52:19); or, the principal men of Judea [GROTIUS] (Lam 4:2). stones of . . . sanctuary--the gems on the breastplate of the high priest; or, metaphorically, the priests and Levites.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The stones of the sanctuary - Or, the hallowed stones, literally stones of holiness, a metaphor for the people themselves. The actual stones of the temple would not be thus widely thrown about as to be seen everywhere, but the prophet has already affirmed this of the young children dying of hunger (compare Lamentations 2:19). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The top - Are scattered in the head of every street. Lamentations 4:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:1-22 Although God’s people still experience his judgment, they will soon experience restoration.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“How is the gold: Kg2 25:9, Kg2 25:10; Isa 1:21, Isa 14:12; Eze 7:19-22 the stones: Lam 2:19; Jer 52:13; Mat 24:2; Mar 13:2; Luk 21:5, Luk 21:6 Lamentations 4:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The misery that has come on the inhabitants of Jerusalem is a punishment for their deep guilt. The description given of this misery is divided into two strophes: for, first ( Lam 4:1-6), the sad lot of the several classes of the population is set forth; then ( Lam 4:7-11) a conclusion is drawn therefrom regarding the greatness of their sin. Lam 4:1-6 The first strophe. Lam 4:1. The lamentation begins with a figurative account of the destruction of all that is precious and glorious in Israel: this is next established by the bringing forth of instances. Lam 4:1-2 Lam 4:1, Lam 4:2 contain, not a complaint regarding the desolation of the sanctuary and of Zion, as Maurer, Kalkschmidt, and…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification