King James Version

What Does Lamentations 5:20 Mean?

Lamentations 5:20 in the King James Version says “Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? so: Heb. for length of days?” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? so: Heb. for length of days?”

Lamentations 5:20 · KJV

Context

18

Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

19

Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.

20

Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? so: Heb. for length of days?

21

Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

22

But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us. But: or, For wilt thou utterly reject us?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A painful question: "Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever? why dost thou forsake us so long time?" (lamah la-netsakh tishkachenu ta'azvenu le-orekh yamim, לָמָּה לָנֶצַח תִּשְׁכָּחֵנוּ תַּעַזְבֵנוּ לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים). The phrase "for ever" (la-netsakh, לָנֶצַח) doesn't necessarily mean eternal duration but indefinite, seemingly endless time. "Long time" (le-orekh yamim, לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים) literally means "for length of days"—implying protracted suffering. This isn't accusation but anguished questioning—wrestling with God's timing. Psalm 13:1 echoes: "How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever?" These questions arise from faith, not unbelief. Unbelief walks away; faith clings and cries out. The complaint honors God by taking Him seriously, treating Him as covenant partner who can be appealed to. The question implicitly affirms: You are able to help; please do so. The silence or delay feels like forgetting and forsaking, though verse 19 affirms God's eternal throne. The tension between God's unchanging sovereignty and experienced suffering is real and Scripture validates wrestling with it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The exile lasted exactly 70 years as prophesied (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10). But for those experiencing it, especially in its early decades, the end seemed impossibly distant. A generation born in exile might die before restoration. The questioning "How long?" appears throughout Scripture: Job 19:2, Psalms 6:3, 35:17, 74:10, 79:5, 80:4, 89:46, 90:13, 94:3, Habakkuk 1:2, Zechariah 1:12, Revelation 6:10. It's the cry of those suffering while trusting God's justice and mercy will eventually intervene. This models appropriate response to delayed answers. Hebrews 10:36 exhorts: "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." 2 Peter 3:8-9 explains divine timing: "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering." What feels like forgetting is patience, allowing time for repentance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does asking 'How long?' represent faith rather than doubt, and why does Scripture repeatedly include such questions?
  2. What's the difference between wrestling with God's timing (as Lamentations models) versus demanding He act according to our timetable?
  3. How do we maintain faith when God's promises seem delayed and His intervention feels distant?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
לָ֤מָּה1 of 6
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לָנֶ֙צַח֙2 of 6

“us for ever”

H5331

properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

תִּשְׁכָּחֵ֔נוּ3 of 6

“Wherefore dost thou forget”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

תַּֽעַזְבֵ֖נוּ4 of 6

“and forsake”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

לְאֹ֥רֶךְ5 of 6

“us so long”

H753

length

יָמִֽים׃6 of 6

“time”

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

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 5:20 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 5:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 13:1Psalms 44:24Jeremiah 14:19-21Psalms 74:1Psalms 85:5Psalms 77:7-10

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