King James Version

What Does Lamentations 4:21 Mean?

Lamentations 4:21 in the King James Version says “Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: tho...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.”

Lamentations 4:21 · KJV

Context

19

Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

20

The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

21

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.

22

The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins. The: or, Thine iniquity discover: or, carry thee captive for thy sins

Read Lamentations 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom (שִׂישִׂי וְשִׂמְחִי בַּת־אֱדוֹם, sisi vesimchi bat-Edom)—This is biting irony, even sarcasm. Edom rejoiced at Jerusalem's fall (Psalm 137:7; Obadiah 1:12), but their celebration is premature. The cup also shall pass through unto thee (גַּם־עָלַיִךְ תַּעֲבָר־כּוֹס, gam-alayikh ta'avor-kos)—'the cup' refers to God's wrath (Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15-29). Edom's turn is coming. Thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked (תִּשְׁכְּרִי וְתִתְעָרִי, tishkeri vetit'ari)—imagery of judgment-induced shame. Edom's gloating over Israel's humiliation will be repaid in kind. This prophetic irony vindicates divine justice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Edom, descended from Esau (Jacob's brother), harbored ancestral hatred toward Israel. When Babylon besieged Jerusalem, Edom aided the enemy, plundered refugees, and celebrated the city's fall. Obadiah and Psalm 137 detail their treachery. Edom was later conquered by Nabateans (4th century BC) and eventually disappeared as a people—the 'cup' passed to them indeed.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you ever celebrated another's downfall, only to later experience similar judgment yourself? What does this teach about schadenfreude?
  2. How does this prophetic irony demonstrate that God will vindicate His people even when their discipline seems to give enemies grounds for mockery?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
שִׂ֤ישִׂי1 of 13

“Rejoice”

H7797

to be bright, i.e., cheerful

וְשִׂמְחִי֙2 of 13

“and be glad”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

בַּת3 of 13

“O daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אֱד֔וֹם4 of 13

“of Edom”

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

יוֹשֶׁ֖בֶתי5 of 13

“that dwellest”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ6 of 13

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

ע֑וּץ7 of 13

“of Uz”

H5780

uts, a son of aram, also a seirite, and the regions settled by them

גַּם8 of 13
H1571

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

עָלַ֙יִךְ֙9 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תַּעֲבָר10 of 13

“also shall pass”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

כּ֔וֹס11 of 13

“the cup”

H3563

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

תִּשְׁכְּרִ֖י12 of 13

“through unto thee thou shalt be drunken”

H7937

to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence

וְתִתְעָרִֽי׃13 of 13

“and shalt make thyself naked”

H6168

to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish

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 4:21 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 4:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 1:11Revelation 16:15Job 1:1Psalms 137:7Obadiah 1:10-16Isaiah 34:1-17

Places in This Verse

EdomRegion · Modern: Buseira · 30.75°N, 35.60°E111 verses across 21 books
UzRegion · Modern: Buseira · 30.75°N, 35.60°E3 verses across 3 books
View all places in Lamentations 4 →

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