Lamentations 2:13
What does Lamentations 2:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 2:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 2:13 means
Jeremiah is at a loss: what testimony, likeness, or comparison could comfort Jerusalem? Her “breach” is vast like the sea—deep, wide, and relentless. The question “who can heal thee?” admits that human resources are exhausted. No analogy captures the scale of the disaster; no easy remedy exists. The verse invites humility: when wounds are oceanic, explanations and platitudes falter. The only hope, unstated here but implied by the question, must come from beyond human power. For now, the grief stands: the city’s hurt defies measure and surpasses any earthly healer’s reach.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What shall I testify unto thee? what shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I compare to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? For thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?
KJV
King James Version · 1611What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What shall I testify unto thee? what shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I compare to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? For thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What example am I to give you? what comparison am I to make for you, O daughter of Jerusalem? what am I to make equal to you, so that I may give you comfort, O virgin daughter of Zion? for your destruction is great like the sea: who is able to make you well?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862What do I testify <FI>to<Fi> thee, what do I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? What do I equal to thee, and I comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? For great as a sea <FI>is<Fi> thy breach, Who doth give healing to thee?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Mem. To what shall I compare thee? or to what shall I liken thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? to what shall I equal thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Sion? for great as the sea is thy destruction: who shall heal thee?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890What shall I take to witness for thee? what shall I liken unto thee, daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, virgin daughter of Zion? For thy ruin is great as the sea: who will heal thee?
Context
After the children’s cries (v. 12), verse 13 elevates the lament to theological reflection: Jerusalem’s wound is immeasurable and beyond human cure. This prepares for verse 14’s critique of prophets whose false visions promised healing without repentance. The progression moves from the extent of pain to the cause behind it. Understanding this connective tissue helps the reader see why the chapter turns to the failure of spiritual leadership next, showing how deceitful words worsened the breach and left the people unprepared for judgment.
v.12They say to their mothers, Where is grain and wine? When they swoon as the wounded in the streets of the city, When their soul is poured out into their mothers’ bosom.
v.13This passage
v.14Thy prophets have seen for thee false and foolish visions; And they have not uncovered thine iniquity, to bring back thy captivity, But have seen for thee false oracles and causes of banishment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Lamentations 1:12
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is brought upon me, Wherewith Jehovah hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.
- Ezekiel 26:3
therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I am against thee, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth its waves to come up.
- Isaiah 37:22
this is the word which Jehovah hath spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
- Jeremiah 8:22
Is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
- Psalms 60:2
Thou hast made the land to tremble; thou hast rent it: Heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
- Jeremiah 51:8
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Lamentations 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Lamentations 2.
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.