Lamentations 5:6

“We have given our hand [to] the Egyptians, etc.] Either by way of supplication, to beg bread of them; or by way of covenant and agreement; or to testify subjection to them, in order to be supplied with food: many of the Jews went into Egypt upon the taking of the city, (<244305>Jeremiah 43:5-7); [and to] the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread; among whom many of the captives were dispersed; since from hence they are said to be returned, as well as from Egypt, (<231116>Isaiah 11:16).”

“given . . . hand to--in token of submission (see on Jer 50:15). to . . . Egyptians--at the death of Josiah (Ch2 36:3-4). Assyrians--that is, the Chaldeans who occupied the empire which Assyria had held. So Jer 2:18. to be satisfied with bread-- (Deu 28:48).”

““To give the hand” means to submit oneself. Absolutely it was Babylon that had just destroyed their national existence, but Jeremiah means that all feelings of patriotism were crushed, and the sole care that remained was the desire for personal preservation. To secure this the people would readily have submitted to the yoke either of Egypt or Assyria, the great powers from which in their past history they had so often suffered. return to 'Top of Page'”

“We - The ten tribes were all carried captives into Assyria, and many of the kingdom of Judah fled into Egypt. Giving the hand may signify labouring for them: or, yielding up themselves to their power. Lamentations 5:7”

“given: Gen 24:2; Kg2 10:15; Jer 50:15; Eze 17:18 to the Egyptians: Isa 30:1-6, Isa 31:1-3, Isa 57:9; Jer 2:18, Jer 2:36, Jer 44:12-14; Hos 5:13, Hos 7:11, Hos 9:3; Hos 12:1 Lamentations 5:7”