Lamentations 5:8
Lamentations 5:8 in Multiple Translations
Slaves rule over us; there is no one to deliver us from their hands.
Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.
Servants rule over us: There is none to deliver us out of their hand.
Servants are ruling over us, and there is no one to make us free from their hands.
Servants of our conqueror rule over us; no one can save us from their power.
Seruants haue ruled ouer vs, none would deliuer vs out of their hands.
Servants have ruled over us, A deliverer there is none from their hand.
Servants rule over us. There is no one to deliver us out of their hand.
Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.
Servants have ruled over us: there was none to redeem us out of their hand.
Officials from Babylon who were previously slaves now rule over us, and there is no one who can rescue us from their power.
Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 5:8
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 5:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עֲבָדִים֙
מָ֣שְׁלוּ
בָ֔/נוּ
פֹּרֵ֖ק
אֵ֥ין
מִ/יָּדָֽ/ם
עֲבָדִים֙
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-mp
מָ֣שְׁלוּ
mâshal
H4910
to rule
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בָ֔/נוּ
Prep | Suff
פֹּרֵ֖ק
pâraq
H6561
to tear
V-Qal
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
מִ/יָּדָֽ/ם
yâd
H3027
hand
Prep | N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 5:8
עֲבָדִים֙
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-mp
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
מָ֣שְׁלוּ
mâshal
H4910
"to rule"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To rule means to have power over something or someone, like a king ruling his kingdom, as seen in 1 Samuel. It involves having control and making decisions, like a leader guiding their people. In the Bible, God rules over all things.
Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, reign 1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to rule 1b2) to exercise dominion
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power. See also: Genesis 1:18; Proverbs 16:32; Psalms 8:7.
בָ֔/נוּ
""
Prep | Suff
פֹּרֵ֖ק
pâraq
H6561
"to tear"
V-Qal
To tear means to break off or crunch something, and can also mean to deliver or rescue. It can be used to describe tearing apart or away, or breaking something into pieces. This verb has various forms, including to snatch or redeem.
Definition: 1) to tear apart or away, tear off, break away 1a) (Qal) to tear away, snatch, rescue 1b) (Piel) to tear off 1c) (Hithpael) to tear off from oneself, be broken off, be broken in pieces Aramaic equivalent: pe.raq (פְּרַק "to break" H6562)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: break (off), deliver, redeem, rend (in pieces), tear in pieces. See also: Genesis 27:40; Psalms 7:3; Psalms 136:24.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
מִ/יָּדָֽ/ם
yâd
H3027
"hand"
Prep | N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
Study Notes — Lamentations 5:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Lamentations 5:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 5:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 5:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
- Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 5:8
- Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 5:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
- Sermons on Lamentations 5:8
Context — A Prayer for Restoration
6We submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.
7Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we bear their punishment.
8Slaves rule over us; there is no one to deliver us from their hands.
9We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the wilderness. 10Our skin is as hot as an oven with fever from our hunger.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 5:15 | The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people, but I did not do this because of my fear of God. |
| 2 | Zechariah 11:6 | For I will no longer have compassion on the people of the land, declares the LORD, but behold, I will cause each man to fall into the hands of his neighbor and his king, who will devastate the land, and I will not deliver it from their hands.” |
| 3 | Proverbs 30:22 | a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food, |
| 4 | Psalms 7:2 | or they will shred my soul like a lion and tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me. |
| 5 | Hosea 2:10 | And then I will expose her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one will deliver her out of My hands. |
| 6 | Nehemiah 2:19 | But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 28:43 | The foreigner living among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink down lower and lower. |
| 8 | Psalms 50:22 | Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you: |
| 9 | Genesis 9:25 | he said, “Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” |
| 10 | Job 5:4 | His sons are far from safety, crushed in court without a defender. |
Lamentations 5:8 Summary
This verse means that the Israelites were being controlled by people who were once beneath them, and they felt like there was no way to escape this situation. This happened because they had turned away from God and were experiencing the consequences of their sin, as warned in Deuteronomy 28:43-44. Just like the Israelites, we can feel trapped by our own sin and circumstances, but God is always willing to deliver us if we turn back to Him, as promised in Isaiah 46:4. By seeking God's forgiveness and restoration, we can experience freedom from the things that enslave us, as seen in John 8:36.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that 'slaves rule over us' in Lamentations 5:8?
This phrase indicates that the Israelites have been oppressed and dominated by those who were once inferior to them, much like the situation described in Deuteronomy 28:43-44 where God warns of such consequences for disobedience. This is a result of their sin and rebellion against God.
Why does it say 'there is no one to deliver us from their hands'?
This expression signifies the Israelites' feelings of hopelessness and despair, as they have lost faith in God's ability to rescue them, similar to the sentiment expressed in Psalm 22:11. However, this does not reflect God's actual ability or willingness to deliver them, as seen in Isaiah 46:4 where God reminds them of His faithfulness.
Is this verse talking about physical slavery or spiritual slavery?
While the context of Lamentations 5:8 suggests physical oppression, the concept of slavery can also be applied spiritually, as seen in Romans 6:16-17 where it talks about being slaves to sin or to righteousness. In this sense, the Israelites were slaves to their own sin and rebellion against God, which led to their physical oppression.
How does this relate to the Israelites' relationship with God?
The fact that slaves rule over the Israelites and they feel there is no deliverer indicates a broken relationship with God, as they have turned away from Him and are now experiencing the consequences, much like the situation described in Hosea 1:9 where God says 'you are not my people, and I am not your God'. This is a call for them to return to God and seek His deliverance, as promised in Jeremiah 31:33-34.
Reflection Questions
- What are the ways in which I may be allowing 'slaves' to rule over me, such as sinful habits or unhealthy relationships, and how can I seek God's deliverance from them?
- In what ways have I experienced feelings of hopelessness or despair, and how can I apply the truth of God's faithfulness and deliverance to those situations, as seen in Psalm 34:17-20?
- How can I distinguish between the physical and spiritual aspects of slavery in my own life, and what steps can I take to ensure that I am a slave to righteousness, as described in Romans 6:18?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be experiencing the consequences of sin or rebellion against God, and how can I seek His forgiveness and restoration, as promised in 1 John 1:9?
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 5:8
Servants have ruled over us,.... The Targum is, "the sons of Ham, who were given to be servants to the sons of Shem, they have ruled over us;'' referring to the prophecy of Noah, Genesis 9:26; or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 5:8
Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand. Servants have ruled over us.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
Either those who sometimes were our servants, tributary to us, or the posterity of Ham, condemned of old to be servants to our forefather Shem, ; or the servants of those masters whom we serve in Babylon: and none will help us and give us more liberty.
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
Lamentations 5:8 Servants have ruled over us: [there is] none that doth deliver [us] out of their hand.Ver. 8. Servants have ruled over us.] And they are usually most insolent, as was Tobiah the servant. Cicero, after the defeat given to! Pompey, complaineth in a certain epistle, Lords we could not away with, and now we are forced to serve our fellow servant. This was Canaan’ s curse, to be a servant of servants.
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
(8) Servants have ruled over us.—The Chaldæans, it would seem, added insult to injury, sending as rulers those who had filled menial offices in the courts of their kings. (Comp. Jeremiah 39:3.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
Verse 8. Servants have ruled over us ] To be subject to such is the most painful and dishonourable bondage: - Quio domini faciant, audent cum talia fures? Virg. Ecl. iii. 16. "Since slaves so insolent are grown, What may not masters do?" Perhaps he here alludes to the Chaldean soldiers, whose will the wretched Jews were obliged to obey.
Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 5:8
8. Servants rule] The reference may be to cases where slaves actually rose to positions of authority. Cp. Tobiah in Nehemiah 2:10; Nehemiah 2:19. Budde suggests that such persons may have seized upon property (cp. Habakkuk 1:6) and forced the Jews to earn their bread under them as day-labourers.
Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 5:8
Servants - i. e. Slaves. A terrible degradation to a high-spirited Jew.
Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 5:8
, Lamentations 5:8-18.8. Servants (slaves) have ruled over us — Who were these “servants?” The Chaldean soldiers, servants of Nebuchadrezzar, (Rosenmuller, etc.;) the Chaldeans, but recently
Sermons on Lamentations 5:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Diverse Kinds of Conscience. by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes the significance of a God-fearing conscience in various aspects of life, drawing from the examples of Nehemiah and Joseph, who acted righteously out of th |
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Our Daily Homily - Nehemiah by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the significance of Nehemiah's role as a cupbearer, illustrating how God can use humble individuals for great purposes. Nehemiah's heartfelt prayers and tears |
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So Did Not I, Because of the Fear of God. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the profound impact of Nehemiah's decision to forgo his rights out of reverence for God, illustrating that true influence often requires personal sacrifice fo |
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The Sin of Drifting by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the danger of drifting through life without purpose or direction, contrasting the passive nature of a piece of wood with the responsibility of man to choose |
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The Christian's Preservative by James Smith | James Smith preaches about the importance of the fear of God as a preservative against apostasy, highlighting how believers throughout history have found it to be a preventative to |
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(Through the Bible) Zechariah 11-12 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the protection and victory that God provided to Israel during the 1973 war. Despite being outnumbered and facing opposition from the entire wo |
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The Lion by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook delves into the symbolism of the lion in the Bible, highlighting its strength, boldness, and predatory nature as described in various verses. The lion is portrayed |