Lamentations 4:13
Lamentations 4:13 in Multiple Translations
But this was for the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous in her midst.
¶ For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,
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.
It is because of the sins of her prophets and the evil-doing of her priests, by whom the blood of the upright has been drained out in her.
But this happened because of the sins of her prophets and the wickedness of her priests, who shed the blood of the innocent right there in the city.
For the sinnes of her Prophets, and the iniquities of her Priests, that haue shed the blood of the iust in the middes of her.
Because of the sins of her prophets, The iniquities of her priests, Who are shedding in her midst the blood of the righteous,
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 middle of her.
For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.
Mem. For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.
But that is what happened; it happened because the prophets sinned; and the priests also sinned by causing innocent people to be executed [MTY].
Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 4:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Lamentations 4:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מֵֽ/חַטֹּ֣את
נְבִיאֶ֔י/הָ
עֲוֺנ֖וֹת
כֹּהֲנֶ֑י/הָ
הַ/שֹּׁפְכִ֥ים
בְּ/קִרְבָּ֖/הּ
דַּ֥ם
צַדִּיקִֽים
מֵֽ/חַטֹּ֣את
chaṭṭâʼâh
H2403
sin
Prep | N-fp
נְבִיאֶ֔י/הָ
nâbîyʼ
H5030
prophet
N-mp | Suff
עֲוֺנ֖וֹת
ʻâvôn
H5771
iniquity
N-cp
כֹּהֲנֶ֑י/הָ
kôhên
H3548
priest
N-mp | Suff
הַ/שֹּׁפְכִ֥ים
shâphak
H8210
to pour
Art | V-Qal
בְּ/קִרְבָּ֖/הּ
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms | Suff
דַּ֥ם
dâm
H1818
blood
N-ms
צַדִּיקִֽים
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 4:13
מֵֽ/חַטֹּ֣את
chaṭṭâʼâh
H2403
"sin"
Prep | N-fp
This word describes sin, guilt, or punishment for sin, and also the sacrifice or purification made to atone for it. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences and solutions for sin. The KJV translates it as 'punishment' or 'sin'.
Definition: sin, sinful thing
Usage: Occurs in 270 OT verses. KJV: punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering). See also: Genesis 4:7; Numbers 12:11; Psalms 25:7.
נְבִיאֶ֔י/הָ
nâbîyʼ
H5030
"prophet"
N-mp | Suff
A prophet is someone who speaks for God, like a spokesperson. This word is used in the Bible to describe true and false prophets, like those in 1 and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) spokesman, speaker, prophet 1a) prophet 1b) false prophet 1c) heathen prophet Aramaic equivalent: ne.vi (נְבִיא "prophet" H5029)
Usage: Occurs in 288 OT verses. KJV: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. See also: Genesis 20:7; 2 Kings 24:2; Psalms 51:2.
עֲוֺנ֖וֹת
ʻâvôn
H5771
"iniquity"
N-cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.
כֹּהֲנֶ֑י/הָ
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
הַ/שֹּׁפְכִ֥ים
shâphak
H8210
"to pour"
Art | V-Qal
To pour or spill something out, like blood or a liquid. In the Bible, it can mean to shed blood or to pour out one's heart in prayer or complaint. For example, in Psalm 42:4, the writer pours out his soul to God.
Definition: : pour 1) to pour, pour out, spill 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pour, pour out 1a2) to shed (blood) 1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed 1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be poured out 1d2) to pour out oneself
Usage: Occurs in 111 OT verses. KJV: cast (up), gush out, pour (out), shed(-der, out), slip. See also: Genesis 9:6; Jeremiah 6:6; Psalms 22:15.
בְּ/קִרְבָּ֖/הּ
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
דַּ֥ם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
צַדִּיקִֽים
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
Study Notes — Lamentations 4:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Lamentations 4:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 4:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 4:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
- Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 4:13
- Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 4:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
- Sermons on Lamentations 4:13
Context — The Distress of Zion
11The LORD has exhausted His wrath; He has poured out His fierce anger; He has kindled a fire in Zion, and it has consumed her foundations.
12The kings of the earth did not believe, nor any people of the world, that an enemy or a foe could enter the gates of Jerusalem.
13But this was for the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous in her midst.
14They wandered blind in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments. 15“Go away! Unclean!” men shouted at them. “Away, away! Do not touch us!” So they fled and wandered. Among the nations it was said, “They can stay here no longer.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 5:31 | The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end? |
| 2 | Jeremiah 6:13 | “For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 26:8–9 | and as soon as he had finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people seized him, shouting, “You must surely die! How dare you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted!” And all the people assembled against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. |
| 4 | Lamentations 2:14 | The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 22:26–28 | Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken. |
| 6 | Matthew 23:31 | So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. |
| 7 | Micah 3:11–12 | Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge. |
| 8 | Matthew 23:33–37 | You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell? Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! |
| 9 | Acts 7:52 | Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— |
| 10 | Luke 11:47–51 | Woe to you! You build tombs for the prophets, but it was your fathers who killed them. So you are witnesses consenting to the deeds of your fathers: They killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. Because of this, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and others they will persecute.’ As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation. |
Lamentations 4:13 Summary
This verse, Lamentations 4:13, explains that the troubles in Jerusalem were a result of the bad things her spiritual leaders did, like killing innocent people, which is against God's commands in Exodus 20:13. This shows that when leaders do wrong, it can hurt many people, as seen in the examples of Isaiah 3:14 and Ezekiel 34:2-4. We can learn from this that it's essential for leaders to follow God and do what is right, and for all of us to promote justice and kindness, as taught in Micah 6:8. By doing so, we can help prevent suffering and create a more loving community, as envisioned in Revelation 21:4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason for the judgment that has fallen on Jerusalem?
According to Lamentations 4:13, the judgment on Jerusalem is a result of the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous in her midst, as also warned in Deuteronomy 18:10 and Ezekiel 22:6.
How did the prophets and priests of Jerusalem sin against God?
The prophets and priests of Jerusalem sinned by shedding the blood of the righteous, which is a violation of God's command in Exodus 20:13 and a reflection of the hardness of their hearts, as described in Jeremiah 17:9.
Is there a connection between the sins of leaders and the suffering of the people?
Yes, according to Lamentations 4:13, the sins of the prophets and priests led to the suffering of the people, illustrating the principle found in Hosea 4:9 that the sins of leaders can have consequences for the entire community.
What can we learn from the example of Jerusalem's prophets and priests?
We can learn the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, as emphasized in 1 Samuel 2:35 and Hebrews 13:17, and the need for leaders to model righteous behavior for their followers.
Reflection Questions
- How do I ensure that my own heart remains tender and responsive to God's will, unlike the hardened hearts of Jerusalem's leaders?
- In what ways can I, as a follower of God, promote justice and protect the vulnerable in my community, as required in Proverbs 31:8-9?
- What are some ways that I can hold leaders accountable for their actions, while also praying for their wisdom and integrity, as encouraged in 1 Timothy 2:1-2?
- How can I personally apply the principle that our actions have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for those around us, as seen in Lamentations 4:13?
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 4:13
For the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her priests,.... Aben Ezra interprets this of the prophets of Baal, and the priests of the high places; but though false prophets and wicked
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 4:13
For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her, For the sins of her prophets - the false prophets (Jeremiah 23:11; Jeremiah 23:21).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
Not for their sins alone who were the false prophets and Baal’ s priests, but for their sins in an eminent degree; they were the ringleaders, either encouraging the people to the wickednesses they committed, or not restraining them, and denouncing the wrath of God against them. So though they were the corrupt magistrates that had shed the innocent blood, yet the priests and prophets became guilty of it, either encouraging the magistrates to it, or soothing them up in their bloody courses, or by burning the children that were burnt in the valley of Hinnom. The ecclesiastical men were a great cause of the first and last destruction of Jerusalem, and so they are of most other places that come to ruin, through their neglect of their duty, or encouraging others in their wicked courses; which both showeth us how great a blessing to a people a godly, conscientious ministry is, and how great a plague and curse a ministry is which is otherwise. See 23:21.
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
Lamentations 4:13 For the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,Ver. 13. For the sins of her prophets.] These, these were the right cause of her ruin. Not that the people were not faulty - for they "loved to have it so" - but those were the ringleaders in that general defection.
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
(13) That have shed the blood of the just . . .—The words point to incidents like the death of Zechariah the son of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:21); the “innocent blood” shed by Manasseh (2 Kings 21:16); the attempts on Jeremiah’s own life (Jeremiah 26:7); possibly to some unrecorded atrocities during the siege on the part of the priests and false prophets, who looked on the true prophets as traitors (Jeremiah 26:23).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
Verse 13. For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests] These most wretched beings, under the pretense of zeal for the true religion, persecuted the genuine prophets, priests, and people of God, and caused their blood to be shed in the midst of the city, in the most open and public manner; exactly as the murderous priests, and blood-thirsty preachers, under the reign of bloody Queen Mary, did in England. However, the profligate priests and idolatrous prophets in Jerusalem, only shed the blood of the saints of God there: but the sanguinary papists, in the above reign, burnt the blood here, for they burnt the people alive; and at the same time, in their worse than Molochean cruelty, consigned, with all the fervour peculiar to their then ruthless Church, the souls of those whom they thus massacred, to the bitter pains of eternal death! O earth, cover not thou their blood!
Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 4:13
13. the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests] Cp. Jeremiah 5:31; Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 8:10; Jeremiah 23:11 f.
Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 4:13
The blood of the just - Jer. 26:7-24 exhibits priests and prophets as the prime movers in an attempt to silence the word of God by putting Jeremiah to death. Compare the margin reference to Matthew.
Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 4:13
13. Sins of her prophets — As in the time of Christ, the religions leaders of the people were also their leaders in sin and rebellion.
Sermons on Lamentations 4:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Self Denial and Discipline by Miles DeBenedictis | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the analogy of athletes preparing for the ancient games in Corinth. He emphasizes the rigorous training and discipline that these athletes und |
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Ivory Houses & Fat Cows: The Excessive Nonsense of the Modern Christian Church by Joseph LoSardo | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the decline of a nation that was once a leader in industry and ponders its future. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on God and His s |
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Fren-14 Fondements Apostoliques - Église Dans Les Desseins De Dieu by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing his own concerns and anxieties about preaching to an audience. He emphasizes the need for God's guidance and grace in order to effe |
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Judges 17:6 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses the chaotic state of Israel during the time of the Judges, emphasizing the lack of leadership and direction that led the people to follow paths of moral relat |
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The Radical Kingdom of God: Conventional Christianity or Biblical Faith? by Art Katz | Art Katz passionately calls for the Church to awaken from its indifference and embrace its true identity as the radical Kingdom of God. He emphasizes that the Church has allowed th |
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Epistle 42 by George Fox | George Fox addresses all Friends scattered abroad, urging them to dwell in the light that comes from Christ, which enables them to see Him as their Savior and grow in Him. He empha |
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New Years' Address, January 1853 by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot delivers a powerful sermon reflecting on the state of the church amidst worldly progress and material prosperity, questioning the lack of vital godliness and grace des |