King James Version

What Does Lamentations 1:19 Mean?

Lamentations 1:19 in the King James Version says “I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sough...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I 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.”

Lamentations 1:19 · KJV

Context

17

Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.

18

The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. commandment: Heb. mouth

19

I 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.

20

Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.

21

They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me. called: or, proclaimed

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Failed reliances exposed: "I called for my lovers, but they deceived me" (karati le-me'ahavai hemah rimmuni). The "lovers" (allies) mentioned in verse 2 are now explicitly identified as deceivers. The verb rimah (רִמָּה, "deceived, betrayed") indicates deliberate treachery. Human alliances prove worthless. "My priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city" (kohanai uzkenai ba-ir gave'u). The phrase "gave up the ghost" (gave'u, גָוְעוּ) means they died, expired. These religious and civic leaders died seeking food: "while they sought their meat to relieve their souls" (ki-vikshu okhel lamo veyashivu et-nafsham). The phrase "relieve their souls" (hashiv nafesh, הָשִׁיב נֶפֶשׁ) means restore life or vitality—they sought food just to survive, but died in the attempt. This illustrates judgment's totality—even spiritual leaders perish. No class escapes; all suffer. This humbles human pretension and exposes our universal dependence on God's provision.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical accounts confirm leadership deaths during Jerusalem's fall. 2 Kings 25:18-21 records that Nebuzaradan, Babylon's captain, took the chief priest Seraiah, second priest Zephaniah, three gatekeepers, various officials, and sixty men and executed them at Riblah. These represented Judah's religious and civil leadership. The starvation of priests and elders fulfills the siege's horror. Jeremiah 38:9 mentions that bread ran out in the city. Lamentations 4:4-10 provides graphic details of famine's effects, including children begging for bread and mothers cannibalizing their children (fulfilling Deuteronomy 28:53-57). The failure of "lovers" (political allies) to help was also fulfilled. Egypt, whom Judah trusted, provided no effective assistance when Babylon laid siege (Jeremiah 37:5-10). Ezekiel 17:15-18 condemns Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon in pursuit of Egyptian alliance, predicting it would fail—which it did.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'lovers' (false securities, human alliances, worldly supports) do we trust instead of relying fully on God?
  2. How does the death of priests and elders while seeking food illustrate that no human mediator or religious status exempts us from judgment?
  3. In what ways does Christ succeed where all human 'lovers' and alliances fail, proving Himself the only faithful and true helper?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
קָרָ֤אתִי1 of 15

“I called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לַֽמְאַהֲבַי֙2 of 15

“for my lovers”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

הֵ֣מָּה3 of 15
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

רִמּ֔וּנִי4 of 15

“but they deceived”

H7411

to hurl; specifically, to shoot; figuratively, to delude or betray (as if causing to fall)

כֹּהֲנַ֥י5 of 15

“me my priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וּזְקֵנַ֖י6 of 15

“and mine elders”

H2205

old

בָּעִ֣יר7 of 15

“in the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

גָּוָ֑עוּ8 of 15

“gave up the ghost”

H1478

to breathe out, i.e., (by implication) expire

כִּֽי9 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בִקְשׁ֥וּ10 of 15

“while they sought”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֹ֙כֶל֙11 of 15

“their meat”

H400

food

לָ֔מוֹ12 of 15
H0
וְיָשִׁ֖יבוּ13 of 15

“to relieve”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶת14 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַפְשָֽׁם׃15 of 15

“their souls”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Lamentations. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Lamentations 1:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Lamentations 1:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 1:11Lamentations 2:20Lamentations 1:2Job 19:13-19Jeremiah 2:28Jeremiah 30:14

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Lamentations 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLamentations Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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