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Lamentations 4:16

Old Testament Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Lamentations 4:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The anger of Jehovah hath scattered them; he will no more regard them: They respected not the persons of the priests, they favored not the elders.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The anger of Jehovah hath scattered them; he will no more regard them: They respected not the persons of the priests, they favored not the elders.
Lamentations 4:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Lamentations 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13[It is] because of the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her priests, That have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.
14They wander as blind men in the streets, they are polluted with blood, So that men cannot touch their garments.
15Depart ye, they cried unto them, Unclean! depart, depart, touch not! When they fled away and wandered, men said among the nations, They shall no more sojourn [here].
16The anger of Jehovah hath scattered them; he will no more regard them: They respected not the persons of the priests, they favored not the elders.
17Our eyes do yet fail [in looking] for our vain help: In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save.
18They hunt our steps, so that we cannot go in our streets: Our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.
19Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens: They chased us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.
← Lamentations 4:15Lamentations 4:17 →
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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
“The anger of the Lord hath divided them, etc.] Or, “the face of the Lord” f126; the anger that appeared in his face, in the dispensation of his providence, removed them out of their own land, and dispersed them among several countries and nations of the world, and as they now are: these are not the words of the Heathens continued, but of the prophet: he will no more regard them; or, “he will not add to look on them” f127, with a look of love, but continue his anger and resentment: they respect not the persons of the priests, they favour not the elders; which is to be considered either as the sin of the false prophets and priests before described, which was the cause of their punishment; that…”
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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
“Ain and Pe are here transposed (Lam 4:16-17), as in Lam 2:16-17; Lam 3:46-51. anger--literally, "face"; it is the countenance which, by its expression, manifests anger (Psa 34:16). GESENIUS translates, "the person of Jehovah"; Jehovah present; Jehovah Himself (Exo 33:14; Sa2 17:11). divided--dispersed the Jews. they respected not . . . priests--This is the language of the Gentiles. "The Jews have no hope of a return: for they respected not even good priests" (Ch2 24:19-22) [GROTIUS]. MAURER explains it, "They (the victorious foe) regard not the (Jewish) priests when imploring their pity" (Lam 5:12). The evident antithesis to "As for us" (Lam 4:17) and the language of "the heathen" at the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Literally, The countenance of Yahweh hath scattered them, has driven these outlawed priests here and there, “and He will no more regard them” with favor. 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 anger - These words seem to be the language of their enemies triumphing over them. They - Their enemies had no regard to the most venerable persons among them. Lamentations 4:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“anger: or, face hath: Gen 49:7; Lev 26:33-39; Deu 28:25, Deu 28:64, Deu 28:65, Deu 32:26; Jer 15:4, Jer 24:9 he will: Psa 106:44; Heb 8:9 they respected: Lam 5:12; Kg2 25:18-21; Ch2 36:17; Isa 9:14-16 Lamentations 4:17”
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Related study paths

Read Lamentations 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification