King James Version

What Does Lamentations 4:15 Mean?

Lamentations 4:15 in the King James Version says “They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said a...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there. it: or, ye polluted”

Lamentations 4:15 · KJV

Context

13

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,

14

They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments. so: or, in that they could not but touch

15

They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there. it: or, ye polluted

16

The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders. anger: or, face

17

As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.

Read Lamentations 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Social ostracism described: "They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there." The Hebrew sur tame karu lamo sur sur al-tigga'u ki natsu gam-nau ameru bagoyim lo yosifu lagur depicts rejection. Sur (סוּר, "depart, turn aside") is repeated three times, emphasizing forceful removal. Tame (טָמֵא, "unclean") is the Levitical term for ritual impurity.

The response "depart, depart, touch not" (sur sur al-tigga'u, סוּר סוּר אַל־תִּגָּעוּ) mimics what lepers had to cry: "Unclean, unclean" (Leviticus 13:45). Leaders who should have been holy became untouchable outcasts. When they "fled away and wandered" (natsu gam-nau, נָצוּ גַּם־נָעוּ), even among the nations (bagoyim, בַּגּוֹיִם) they found no welcome: "They shall no more sojourn there" (lo yosifu lagur, לֹא יֹסִיפוּ לָגוּר).

Theologically, this demonstrates the principle that those who corrupt themselves become outcasts even among pagans. The very leaders who should have been lights to nations became objects of revulsion everywhere. This fulfills Deuteronomy 28:25, 37: "The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies...thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations." Sin doesn't merely separate from God but makes one repulsive even to the unregenerate world.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The cry "Depart; it is unclean" treats corrupt leaders as lepers. Leviticus 13:45-46 commanded lepers to dwell alone outside the camp and cry "Unclean, unclean" so others would avoid them. That Jerusalem's prophets and priests received such treatment from ordinary people shows complete social breakdown. The authorities were rejected by those they should have led.

When these leaders fled during Jerusalem's fall, even foreign nations rejected them. Jeremiah 48:28 and 49:11 mention refugees seeking safety in other lands, but Lamentations 4:15 indicates some received no welcome. Their reputation for corruption and blood-guilt preceded them. Ezekiel 5:14-15 prophesied: "Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations...So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations."

This exile differed from normal ancient practice. Typically, conquered elites would be absorbed into imperial administration. Babylon employed Daniel and his friends in government service. But some Judean leaders were so corrupt that even pagans rejected them. This demonstrates how thoroughly sin degrades—until even those lacking moral standards find the sinner repulsive. The principle appears in Proverbs 30:10: "The way of transgressors is hard."

Reflection Questions

  1. What does treating corrupt leaders as 'lepers' who must be avoided teach about sin's social consequences?
  2. How does even pagans rejecting these leaders demonstrate the universal revulsion against hypocrisy and blood-guilt?
  3. In what ways can Christian leaders today become so corrupt that even unbelievers reject them, bringing reproach on Christ?
  4. How does this verse illustrate that sin doesn't ultimately pay—even earthly consequences make the transgressor's way hard?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
ס֙וּרוּ֙1 of 17

“depart”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

טָמֵ֞א2 of 17

“ye it is unclean”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

קָ֣רְאוּ3 of 17

“They cried”

H7121

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

לָ֗מוֹ4 of 17
H0
ס֙וּרוּ֙5 of 17

“depart”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

ס֙וּרוּ֙6 of 17

“depart”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אַל7 of 17
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּגָּ֔עוּ8 of 17

“touch”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

כִּ֥י9 of 17
H3588

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

נָצ֖וּ10 of 17

“not when they fled away”

H5132

properly, to flash; hence, to blossom (from the brilliancy of color)

גַּם11 of 17
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

נָ֑עוּ12 of 17

“and wandered”

H5128

to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)

אָֽמְרוּ֙13 of 17

“they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם14 of 17

“among the heathen”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

לֹ֥א15 of 17
H3808

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

יוֹסִ֖יפוּ16 of 17

“They shall no more”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

לָגֽוּר׃17 of 17

“sojourn”

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

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 4:15 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 4:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 13:45-46

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