Lamentations 4:13
What does Lamentations 4:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 4:13 means
The collapse is laid at the feet of Judah’s spiritual leaders. Prophets and priests, tasked with teaching truth and guarding holiness, instead sinned grievously and shed innocent blood. Their corruption inverted their calling, leading the people astray and polluting the land. This is more than personal failure; it is institutional betrayal that invited judgment. When those who handle God’s word twist justice, the whole nation suffers. The verse shows that the fall of Jerusalem was not simply the result of enemy strength but of moral rot within. The blood of the just cried out, and the Lord answered with righteous recompense.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000It isbecause of the sins of her prophets, andthe iniquities of her priests, That have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901It isbecause of the sins of her prophets, andthe iniquities of her priests, That have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Because of the sins of her prophets, The iniquities of her priests, Who are shedding in her midst the blood of the righteous,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Mem. 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[It is] for the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her priests, who have shed the blood of the righteous in the midst of her.
Context
Verse 13 supplies the moral cause behind the unimaginable fall described in verse 12. It specifies that the sins of prophets and priests, including bloodshed, provoked judgment. The next verses (14–16) depict the consequences for these leaders: blindness, defilement, public avoidance, and scattering under Jehovah’s anger. The flow tightens from broad judgment to particular guilt and then to the disgrace that follows. This careful sequencing prevents readers from blaming only external forces and highlights the spiritual decay at the nation’s heart, a key theme as the lament moves toward exhausted hopes in verses 17–19.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 5:31
the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
- Micah 3:11
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet they lean upon Jehovah, and say, Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? no evil shall come upon us.
- Jeremiah 6:13
For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
- Jeremiah 14:14
Then Jehovah said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake I unto them: they prophesy unto you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their own heart.
- Lamentations 2:14
Thy 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.
- Matthew 23:33
Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell?
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Lamentations 4
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Lamentations 4.
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.