King James Version

What Does Lamentations 4:16 Mean?

Lamentations 4:16 in the King James Version says “The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, the...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Lamentations 4:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Divine rejection confirmed: "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." The Hebrew penei YHWH chillekam lo yosif lehabbitam penei kohanim lo nas'u zeqenim lo chananu declares God's active dispersal and rejection. Chillekam (חִלְּקָם, "divided them, scattered them") indicates God intentionally dispersed these corrupt leaders. Lo yosif lehabbitam (לֹא יוֹסִיף לְהַבִּיטָם, "he will no more regard them") means God has withdrawn His favorable attention.

The indictment follows: "they respected not the persons of the priests" (penei kohanim lo nas'u, פְּנֵי כֹהֲנִים לֹא נָשָׂאוּ). Nasa panim (נָשָׂא פָּנִים, "lift up the face") means to show honor, favor, or respect. These leaders showed no respect even for their own office. "They favoured not the elders" (zeqenim lo chananu, זְקֵנִים לֹא חָנָנוּ) similarly indicates contempt for traditional authority. Chanan (חָנַן) means to show favor, grace, or mercy.

Theologically, this teaches that those who dishonor their sacred offices lose God's favor. When priests acted contrary to their calling and elders abandoned wisdom, God scattered them. The principle appears in 1 Samuel 2:30: "Them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." Leadership isn't a license for corruption but a stewardship requiring faithfulness. Failure brings divine rejection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The anger of the LORD scattering these leaders refers to the exile. Rather than maintaining the priesthood and eldership intact during captivity, God dispersed them. Some priests were executed (2 Kings 25:18-21). Others were scattered among exilic communities. The unified religious leadership structure was broken.

The charge that they "respected not the persons of the priests" likely refers to earlier corruption. Younger priests elevated through political connections rather than proper Aaronic succession, or priests who abandoned their duties for profit (Micah 3:11: "The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire"). They treated their own office with contempt through greed and corruption.

Similarly, "they favoured not the elders" indicates breakdown of traditional respect. Younger leaders disregarded older sages. Isaiah 3:5 describes this inversion: "the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable." This generational disrespect contributed to societal collapse. When even religious leaders show no regard for their own offices or for traditional wisdom, chaos ensues. God responded by scattering them, removing the pretense of legitimate leadership.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God scattering leaders who disrespected their own offices demonstrate that position without faithfulness brings judgment?
  2. What does this verse teach about the importance of honoring both sacred offices and traditional wisdom?
  3. In what ways can Christian leaders today 'respect not the persons of the priests/elders'—dishonoring their own calling?
  4. How does 1 Samuel 2:30 ('them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed') connect to this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
פְּנֵ֤י1 of 13

“The anger”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָה֙2 of 13

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

חִלְּקָ֔ם3 of 13

“hath divided”

H2505

to be smooth (figuratively)

לֹ֥א4 of 13
H3808

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

יוֹסִ֖יף5 of 13

“them he will no more”

H3254

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

לְהַבִּיטָ֑ם6 of 13

“regard”

H5027

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

פְּנֵ֤י7 of 13

“The anger”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כֹהֲנִים֙8 of 13

“of the priests”

H3548

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

לֹ֣א9 of 13
H3808

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

נָשָׂ֔אוּ10 of 13

“them they respected”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

זְקֵנִ֖ים11 of 13

“not the elders”

H2205

old

לֹ֥א12 of 13
H3808

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

חָנָֽנוּ׃13 of 13

“they favoured”

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

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 4:16 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 4:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 9:14-16Lamentations 5:12Deuteronomy 32:26Deuteronomy 28:64-65Jeremiah 24:9Hebrews 8:9

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