King James Version

What Does Lamentations 2:20 Mean?

Lamentations 2:20 in the King James Version says “Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? ...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord? of a span: or, swaddled with their hands?”

Lamentations 2:20 · KJV

Context

18

Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.

19

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

20

Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord? of a span: or, swaddled with their hands?

21

The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied.

22

Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD'S anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.

Read Lamentations 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A stunning challenge to God: "Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long?" (re'eh YHWH ve-habitah le-mi olalta koh to'khalnah nashim piryam olelei tifukhim). The question "to whom thou hast done this" (le-mi olalta koh) emphasizes that this is God's own covenant people, not pagans. "Women eat their fruit" (nashim piryam)—"fruit" being their children—references the horrific cannibalism of Lamentations 4:10. "Children of a span long" (olelei tifukhim) refers to nursing infants. The question continues: "shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?" (im-yehareg be-mikdash Adonai kohen venavi). Priests and prophets murdered in God's own sanctuary represents ultimate desecration. These questions aren't accusations but desperate appeals: See what Your judgment has caused! Consider the extremity! This bold prayer demonstrates the intimacy of covenant relationship—God's people can question and challenge Him respectfully.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The cannibalism described here fulfilled Deuteronomy 28:53-57's curse literally. 2 Kings 6:28-29 records an earlier instance during Samaria's siege. Josephus describes similar horrors during AD 70 siege. The slaying of priests and prophets in the sanctuary was fulfilled when Babylonians killed temple personnel (2 Kings 25:18-21). Jeremiah 26:20-23 records King Jehoiakim killing prophet Urijah. The temple's sanctity provided no protection once God's glory departed (Ezekiel 10-11). The boldness of questioning God echoes Abraham's intercession for Sodom (Genesis 18:23-33), Moses's pleas for Israel (Exodus 32:11-14, Numbers 14:13-19), and Job's protests (Job 10, 13:3, 23:3-7). This demonstrates that covenant relationship permits honest dialogue, not mere submission to arbitrary power. God invites His people to wrestle with Him (Genesis 32:24-30, Hosea 12:3-4).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the bold question 'to whom thou hast done this' demonstrate both the intimacy and accountability inherent in covenant relationship?
  2. What's the difference between this kind of respectful challenging of God versus impious accusation or rebellion?
  3. How do we process the reality that God's judgments sometimes include horrific consequences (cannibalism, murdered priests) while maintaining faith in His goodness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
רְאֵ֤ה1 of 18

“Behold”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

יְהוָה֙2 of 18

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְֽהַבִּ֔יטָה3 of 18

“and consider”

H5027

to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care

לְמִ֖י4 of 18
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

עוֹלַ֣לְתָּ5 of 18

“to whom thou hast done”

H5953

to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)

כֹּ֑ה6 of 18

“this”

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אִם7 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תֹּאכַ֨לְנָה8 of 18

“eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

נָשִׁ֤ים9 of 18

“Shall the women”

H802

a woman

פִּרְיָם֙10 of 18

“their fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

עֹלֲלֵ֣י11 of 18

“and children”

H5768

a suckling

טִפֻּחִ֔ים12 of 18

“of a span long”

H2949

nursing

אִם13 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יֵהָרֵ֛ג14 of 18

“be slain”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

בְּמִקְדַּ֥שׁ15 of 18

“in the sanctuary”

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

אֲדֹנָ֖י16 of 18

“of the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

כֹּהֵ֥ן17 of 18

“shall the priest”

H3548

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

וְנָבִֽיא׃18 of 18

“and the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

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 2:20 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 2:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 4:10Jeremiah 19:9Psalms 78:64Exodus 32:11Lamentations 4:13Deuteronomy 9:26

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