Lamentations 5:4

“We have drunken our water for money, etc.] They who in their own land, which was a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths, had wells of water of their own, and water freely and in abundance, now were obliged to pay for it, for drink, and other uses: our wood is sold unto us; or, “comes to us by a price” f137; and a dear one; in their own land they could have wood out of the forest, for cutting down and bringing home; but now they were forced to give a large price for it.”

“water for money--The Jews were compelled to pay the enemy for the water of their own cisterns after the overthrow of Jerusalem; or rather, it refers to their sojourn in Babylon; they had to pay tax for access to the rivers and fountains. Thus, "our" means the water which we need, the commonest necessary of life. our wood--In Judea each one could get wood without pay; in Babylon, "our wood," the wood we need, must be paid for.”

“Better as in the margin cometh to us for price. The rendering of the the King James Version spoils the carefully studied rhythm of the original. The bitterness of the complaint lies in this, that it was their own property which they had to buy. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Sold - Whereas at other times there was abundance of wood and water throughout Judea. Lamentations 5:6”

“have: Deu 28:48; Isa 3:1; Eze 4:9-17 is sold: Heb. cometh for price Lamentations 5:5”