Lamentations 1:19
What does Lamentations 1:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 1:19 means
Jerusalem called to her “lovers”—political allies and supposed friends—but found only treachery and absence. Even the city’s internal supports failed: priests and elders perished within the walls while searching for food. The verse shows that in judgment God strips away false confidences both outside and inside. Leadership that should have guided and sustained the people is itself broken by the famine. The lament refuses to romanticize the past; it admits that the structures of help were empty when most needed. This clears the ground for looking to Jehovah alone. Human rescue collapses, exposing how misplaced trust had been a root of the city’s downfall.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I called for my lovers, butthey deceived me: My priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, While they sought them food to refresh their souls.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I called for my lovers, butthey deceived me: My priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, While they sought them food to refresh their souls.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I sent for my lovers, but they were false to me: my priests and my responsible men were breathing their last breath in the town, while they were looking for food to give them new life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I called for my lovers, they--they have deceived me, My priests and my elders in the city have expired; When they have sought food for themselves, Then they give back their soul.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Coph. I called for my friends, but they deceived me: my priests and my ancients pined away in the city: while they sought their food, to relieve their souls.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I called for my lovers, they have deceived me; my priests and mine elders have expired in the city, while they sought them food to revive their soul.
Context
Following the confession of God’s righteousness (verse 18), verse 19 recounts the failure of allies and the death of leaders, sharpening the sense of abandonment and internal collapse. This sets up a direct plea to Jehovah in verse 20, where the city admits deep inner turmoil and rebellion while describing danger outside and death within. The progression reinforces that only God can truly behold and help in such layered misery. The final verses will then address the enemies’ glee (verse 21) and ask God to bring the proclaimed day of judgment on them (verses 21–22).
v.18Jehovah is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: Hear, I pray you, all ye peoples, and behold my sorrow: My virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
v.19This passage
v.20Behold, O Jehovah; for I am in distress; my heart is troubled; My heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: Abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Lamentations 4:7
Her nobles were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire.
- Jeremiah 37:7
Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me: Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.
- Lamentations 4:17
Our eyes do yet fail in looking for our vain help: In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save.
- Jeremiah 30:14
All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not: for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the greatness of thine iniquity, because thy sins were increased.
- Jeremiah 23:11
for both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith Jehovah.
- Jeremiah 27:13
Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as Jehovah hath spoken concerning the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?
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