Lamentations 4:8

Translations

Modern

But now their appearance is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick.

Traditional

Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

Literal

Now their appearance is darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets; their skin has shriveled on their bones, it has grown dry and become like wood.

Latin

Denigrata est super carbones facies eorum et non sunt cogniti in plateis; adhæsit cutis eorum ossibus: aruit, et facta est quasi lignum.

Original

Hebrew

English

But now their appearance is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick.

Notes

Lamentations 4:8

Skin sticking to bones is symptomatic of the final stages of starvation, just before death.

Lamentations 4:1–22

Although God’s people still experience his judgment, they will soon experience restoration.

Theme notes and profiles

Famine

Related verses

Lamentations 5:10
Our skin is as hot as an oven with fever from our hunger.
Job 30:30
My skin grows black and peels, and my bones burn with fever.
Psalm 102:3–5
For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.
Psalm 119:83
Though I am like a wineskin dried up by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.
Job 19:20
My skin and flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
Psalm 102:11
My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.
Psalm 38:3
There is no soundness in my body because of Your anger; there is no rest in my bones because of my sin.
Ruth 1:19–20
So Naomi and Ruth traveled until they came to Bethlehem. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women of the town exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”
Lamentations 4:1–2
How the gold has become tarnished, the pure gold has become dull! The gems of the temple lie scattered on every street corner.
Isaiah 52:14
Just as many were appalled at Him—His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness—
Joel 2:6
Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale.
Job 33:21
His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.

Glossary

Acrostic Lamentations, Book of Poetry, Biblical

Topics

Famine: Caused: Blackness of the Skin Famine: Caused: Wasting of the Body Famine: Described

Lamentations 4:8

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics