Lamentations 1:5
What does Lamentations 1:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 1:5 means
The adversaries now rule; enemies prosper. Crucially, the verse explains why: “Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions.” This is not blind fate but moral consequence under divine sovereignty. Even the youngest are carried into captivity, showing judgment’s reach into the future generation. God’s holiness requires that sin be addressed, and his covenant justice has acted. Yet the suffering is not celebrated; it is mourned. The verse teaches that when God’s people persist in rebellion, he may hand them over to their foes. Prosperity changes sides, not because enemies are righteous, but because the Lord is vindicating his word and disciplining his own.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper; For Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: Her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper; For Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: Her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Those who are against her have become the head, everything goes well for her haters; for the Lord has sent sorrow on her because of the great number of her sins: her young children have gone away as prisoners before the attacker.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Her adversaries have become chief, Her enemies have been at ease, For Jehovah hath afflicted her, For the abundance of her transgressions, Her infants have gone captive before the adversary.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He. Her adversaries are become her lords; her enemies are enriched; because the Lord hath spoken against her for the multitude of her iniquities; her children are led into captivity, before the face of the oppressor.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Her adversaries have become the head, her enemies prosper; for Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the adversary.
Context
Verse 5 provides the chapter’s theological key: the Lord himself has afflicted Jerusalem because of her many sins. This interprets the scenes of desolation in verses 1–4 and frames what follows. With cause stated, the lament will trace the effects—loss of majesty (verse 6), mocking by adversaries (verse 7), shame and uncleanness (verse 8), and the stunning fall without comfort (verse 9). The admission that God is behind the affliction also prepares for the later confession, “Jehovah is righteous; for I have rebelled” (verse 18), and for pleas that he would see and regard their misery (verses 9, 11).
v.4The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn assembly; All her gates are desolate, her priests do sigh: Her virgins are afflicted, and she herself is in bitterness.
v.5This passage
v.6And from the daughter of Zion all her majesty is departed: Her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, And they are gone without strength before the pursuer.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- Psalms 90:7
For we are consumed in thine anger, And in thy wrath are we troubled.
- Deuteronomy 28:15
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.
- Micah 7:8
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light unto me.
- Ezekiel 22:24
Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.
- 2 Chronicles 36:14
Moreover all the chiefs of the priests, and the people, trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted the house of Jehovah which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Lamentations 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Lamentations 1.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Faithfulness
Faithfulness describes a person’s loyal and steadfast devotion to God, and also God’s unchanging, unfailing character.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Faithfulness of God
God’s faithfulness is a cornerstone of our hope, revealing His unwavering character and His commitment to His promises through all generations.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Mercy of God
God’s mercy is a profound aspect of His character, showing His compassionate love and steadfast faithfulness toward humanity
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Anniversary of a Loss
When the calendar remembers — verses for the day you can't forget.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Hopeless
When the future has gone gray — verses that don't lecture, only hold.