King James Version

What Does Lamentations 2:12 Mean?

Lamentations 2:12 in the King James Version says “They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when the...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.”

Lamentations 2:12 · KJV

Context

10

The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.

11

Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city. swoon: or, faint

12

They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.

13

What 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?

14

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity ; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

Read Lamentations 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Children's suffering intensifies tragedy: "They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine?" (le-imotam yomru ayeh dagan vayayin). Dagan (דָּגָן, grain) and yayin (יַיִן, wine) represent basic sustenance. Children asking mothers for food that doesn't exist portrays heartbreaking helplessness. "When they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city" (be-hit'atafam ka-chalal bi-rchovot ir). The verb ataf (עָטַף, "swoon, faint") describes life ebbing away. Comparing children to "wounded" (chalal, חָלָל) in streets equates famine's effects with warfare's casualties. "When their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom" (be-hishtapekh nafsham el-kheik immotam). The phrase "soul poured out" describes death—life leaving the body. Dying in mothers' arms amplifies anguish—mothers helpless to save their children. This fulfills Deuteronomy 28:53-57's curse but with devastating emotional impact. Children's innocent suffering serves as ultimate indictment of the sin that caused judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Child mortality during ancient sieges was catastrophic. Malnutrition, disease, and violence killed the most vulnerable first. Jeremiah 6:11 and 9:21 predict children dying in streets. Lamentations 4:4 describes nursing infants' tongues sticking to palates from thirst and children begging for bread no one can provide. The phrase 'corn and wine' represented covenant blessings—Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14 promise these for obedience. Their absence marks covenant curse. Mothers' inability to provide recalls Hannah's petition for a child (1 Samuel 1:11) and Mary's nurturing Christ (Luke 11:27)—motherhood meant protection and provision. But under judgment, even maternal love cannot shield from consequences. This horrible reality would motivate the post-exilic community to covenant faithfulness, ensuring their children wouldn't experience similar suffering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does children asking 'Where is corn and wine?' illustrate the comprehensive reach of judgment, affecting even the innocent?
  2. What does mothers' helplessness to save their dying children teach about the limits of human love and power under divine judgment?
  3. How should awareness of judgment's devastating impact on children increase our urgency in pursuing covenant faithfulness and evangelism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אִמֹּתָֽם׃1 of 14

“into their mothers”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

יֹֽאמְר֔וּ2 of 14

“They say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַיֵּ֖ה3 of 14
H346

where?

דָּגָ֣ן4 of 14

“Where is corn”

H1715

properly, increase, i.e., grain

וָיָ֑יִן5 of 14

“and wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

בְּהִֽתְעַטְּפָ֤ם6 of 14

“when they swooned”

H5848

to shroud, i.e., clothe (whether transitive or reflexive); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish

כֶּֽחָלָל֙7 of 14

“as the wounded”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

בִּרְחֹב֣וֹת8 of 14

“in the streets”

H7339

a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area

עִ֔יר9 of 14

“of the city”

H5892

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

בְּהִשְׁתַּפֵּ֣ךְ10 of 14

“was poured out”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

נַפְשָׁ֔ם11 of 14

“when their soul”

H5315

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

אֶל12 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֵ֖יק13 of 14

“bosom”

H2436

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

אִמֹּתָֽם׃14 of 14

“into their mothers”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

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 2:12 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 2:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 53:12Ezekiel 30:24

Test Your Knowledge

Lamentations 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLamentations Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Lamentations 2 with CommentaryAll Lamentations ChaptersComplete Lamentations QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes