Lamentations 5:13

“They took the young men to grind, etc.] In the mill, which was laborious service; and which persons were sometimes put to, by way of punishment; and was the punishment of servants; (see <071621>Judges 16:21). Some render it, “the young men bore the grist” f142; carried the corn, the meal ground, from place to place. The Targum is, “the young men carried the millstones;” and so Jarchi, they put millstones upon their shoulders, and burdens so as to weary them. Ben Melech, from their Rabbins, relates, that there were no millstones in Babylon; wherefore the Chaldeans put them upon the young men of Israel, to carry them thither. The Vulgate Latin version is, “they abused the young men in an…”

“young men . . . grind--The work of the lowest female slave was laid on young men (Jdg 16:21; Job 31:10). children fell under . . . wood--Mere children had to bear burdens of wood so heavy that they sank beneath them.”

“They took the young men to grind - Or, “The young men” have borne the mill, a menial and laborious task usually performed by slaves (compare Isaiah 47:2). The children fell under the wood - Or, lads have stumbled under burdens of wood. By lads are meant youths up to the age of military service; another form of menial labor. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Fell - Not being able to stand under the burdens laid upon them. Lamentations 5:16”

“the young: Exo 11:5; Jdg 16:21; Job 31:10; Isa 47:2 fell: Exo 1:11, Exo 2:11, Exo 23:5; Neh 5:1-5; Isa 58:6; Mat 23:4 Lamentations 5:14”