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Lamentations 4:2

Old Testament Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Lamentations 4:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!
Lamentations 4:2 — 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.
5They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: They that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.
← Lamentations 4:1Lamentations 4:3 →
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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 precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, etc.] This explains what is meant in (<250401>Lamentations 4:1); by gold, fine gold, and stones of the sanctuary; not Josiah and his sons, as some Jewish interpreters; but all the sons of Zion, or children of God; not the inhabitants of Zion literally, but spiritually; (see <380913>Zechariah 9:13 <19E902>Psalm 149:2). Zion is the church; her sons are her spiritual seed and offspring that are born of her, she being the mother of them all, and born in her, by means of the word; and brought up by her, through the ordinances, and so are regenerate persons; and these the sons of God: and who are “precious”, not in themselves, being of the fallen…”
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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
“comparable to . . . gold-- (Job 28:16, Job 28:19). earthen pitchers-- (Isa 30:14; Jer 19:11).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The precious sons of Zion - The whole nation was consecrated to God, and formed “a kingdom of priests” Exodus 19:6 : in this respect, a type of the Christian Church 1 Peter 2:5. Comparable to fine gold - literally, “weighed with” solid gold, and so equal to their weight in it. With this is contrasted the hollow pitcher easily broken, and made of materials of no intrinsic value. 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
“Earthen pitchers - The nobles, the priests, and the good men, are looked upon no better than earthen vessels, the workmanship of an ordinary potter. Lamentations 4:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sons: Isa 51:18; Zac 9:13 how: Lam 2:21, Lam 5:12; Isa 30:14; Jer 19:11, Jer 22:28; Rom 9:21-23; Co2 4:7; Ti2 2:20 Lamentations 4:3”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification