King James Version

What Does Lamentations 2:21 Mean?

Lamentations 2:21 in the King James Version says “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 s...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Lamentations 2:21 · KJV

Context

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
Universal death: "The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets" (shakhvu la-arets khutsot na'ar ve-zaken). Both extremes of age—na'ar (youth) and zaken (elderly)—lie dead in streets. "My virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword" (betulotai uvachuruhai naflu ve-charev). Virgins and young men represent the nation's future and strength; their death means no next generation. "Thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied" (haragta be-yom apeikha tavachta lo chamalta). The verbs harag (הָרַג, "slain") and tavach (טָבַח, "killed, slaughtered") emphasize God's active role. The phrase "and not pitied" (lo chamalta) recalls verse 2. When judgment falls fully, mercy temporarily withdraws. This doesn't contradict God's merciful nature but demonstrates that there are times when justice must run its course. Proverbs 1:24-28 warns that persistent rejection of wisdom leads to a time when God doesn't answer distress calls.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The siege and conquest produced mass casualties across all demographics. 2 Kings 25:7 records Zedekiah's sons executed. Jeremiah 39:6 states: 'Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.' The virgins and young men were either killed in battle, executed, or died from starvation and disease. Jeremiah 9:21-22 had prophesied: 'Death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets. Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.' The fulfillment was literal and horrifying. Archaeological evidence from this period shows mass burial sites and hasty interments.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does death affecting 'young and old' demonstrate judgment's comprehensive reach across all demographics and stations?
  2. What does 'thou hast killed and not pitied' teach about times when God's justice requires withholding mercy temporarily?
  3. How should awareness of judgment's severity affect our evangelism and our own pursuit of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
שָׁכְב֨וּ1 of 15

“lie”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

לָאָ֤רֶץ2 of 15

“on the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חוּצוֹת֙3 of 15

“in the streets”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

נַ֣עַר4 of 15

“The young”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וְזָקֵ֔ן5 of 15

“and the old”

H2205

old

בְּתוּלֹתַ֥י6 of 15

“my virgins”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

וּבַחוּרַ֖י7 of 15

“and my young men”

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

נָפְל֣וּ8 of 15

“are fallen”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

בֶחָ֑רֶב9 of 15

“by the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

הָרַ֙גְתָּ֙10 of 15

“thou hast slain”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

בְּי֣וֹם11 of 15

“them in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אַפֶּ֔ךָ12 of 15

“of thine anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

טָבַ֖חְתָּ13 of 15

“thou hast killed”

H2873

to slaughter (animals or men)

לֹ֥א14 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָמָֽלְתָּ׃15 of 15

“and not pitied”

H2550

to commiserate; by implication, to spare

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 2:21 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 2:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 36:17Zechariah 11:6Lamentations 3:43Jeremiah 13:14Lamentations 1:15Lamentations 2:2

Test Your Knowledge

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

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