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Bible >Lamentations >Chapter 4 > Verse 9

◄ Lamentations 4:9►

New International Version
Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine; racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of food from the field.

New Living Translation
Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger. Starving, they waste away for lack of food from the fields.

English Standard Version
Happier were the victims of the sword than the victims of hunger, who wasted away, pierced by lack of the fruits of the field.

Berean Standard Bible
Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.

King James Bible
They that be slain with the sword are better thanthey that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through forwant of the fruits of the field.

New King James Version
Those slain by the sword are better off Thanthose who die of hunger; For these pine away, Strickenfor lack of the fruits of the field.

New American Standard Bible
Betteroff are those killed by the sword Than those killed by hunger; For they waste away, stricken By the lack of the produce of the field.

NASB 1995
Better are those slain with the sword Than those slain with hunger; For they pine away, being stricken For lack of the fruits of the field.

NASB 1977
Better are those slain with the sword Than those slain with hunger; For they pine away, being stricken For lack of the fruits of the field.

Legacy Standard Bible
Better are those pierced through with the sword Than those pierced through with hunger; For theirlife flows away, being stricken For lack of the produce of the field.

Amplified Bible
Those killed with the sword Are more fortunate than those killed with hunger; For the hungry pineand ebb away, For the lack of the fruits of the field.

Christian Standard Bible
Those slain by the sword are better off than those slain by hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Those slain by the sword are better off than those slain by hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.

American Standard Version
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.

Contemporary English Version
Being killed with a sword is better than slowly starving to death.

English Revised Version
They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who were killed with swords are better off than those who are dying from starvation. Those who were stabbed bled to death. The others are dying because there is nothing in the fields to eat.

Good News Translation
Those who died in the war were better off than those who died later, who starved slowly to death, with no food to keep them alive.

International Standard Version
Those who die by the sword are better off than those who die from starvation, who slowly waste away like those pierced through for lack of food from the fields.

NET Bible
Those who died by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, those who waste away, struck down from lack of food.

New Heart English Bible
Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger; those who waste away, pierced through, for lack of the fruits of the field.

Webster's Bible Translation
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.

World English Bible
Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through, for lack of the fruits of the field.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Better have been the pierced of a sword "" Than the pierced of famine, "" For these flow away, pierced through, "" Without the increase of the field.

Young's Literal Translation
Better have been the pierced of a sword Than the pierced of famine, For these flow away, pierced through, Without the increase of the field.

Smith's Literal Translation
Those wounded by the sword were good above those wounded by famine: these will flow away, being thrust through from the produce of the field.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Teth. It was better with them that were slain by the sword, than with them that died with hunger: for these pined away being consumed for want of the fruits of the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
TETH. It was better for those slain by the sword, than for those put to death by famine. For these waste away, being consumed by the sterility of the land.

New American Bible
Better for those pierced by the sword than for those pierced by hunger, Better for those who bleed from wounds than for those who lack food.

New Revised Standard Version
Happier were those pierced by the sword than those pierced by hunger, whose life drains away, deprived of the produce of the field.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Those who were slain by the sword are better than those who are slain with hunger; for these pine away, like those who are wounded and thrown in the field.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Teth The slain of the sword are better than those killed by famine, for they waste away like those who are wounded and are thrown out in a field

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
They that are slain with the sword are better Than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, For want of the fruits of the field.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
TETH. The slain with the sword were better than they that were slain with hunger: they have departed, pierced through fromwant of the fruits of the field.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Distress of Zion
…8But 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.9Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger,who waste away,pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.10The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 28:53-57
Then you will eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you. / The most gentle and refined man among you will begrudge his brother, the wife he embraces, and the rest of his children who have survived, / refusing to share with any of them the flesh of his children he will eat because he has nothing left in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you within all your gates. ...

Jeremiah 19:9
I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh in the siege and distress inflicted on them by their enemies who seek their lives.’

Ezekiel 5:10
As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your remnant to every wind.’

2 Kings 6:28-29
Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’ / So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.”

Leviticus 26:29
You will eat the flesh of your own sons and daughters.

Jeremiah 14:18
If I go out to the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I enter the city, I see those ravaged by famine! For both prophet and priest travel to a land they do not know.’”

Jeremiah 52:6
By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food.

2 Kings 25:3
By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food.

Isaiah 9:20
They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.

Isaiah 49:26
I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Luke 21:11
There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Revelation 6:8
Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

Revelation 18:8
Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”

Mark 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Treasury of Scripture

They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

for

Leviticus 26:39
And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.

Ezekiel 24:23
And your tiresshall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.

Ezekiel 33:10
Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sinsbe upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

pine away.

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Better Burned Caused Death Die Famine Field Flow Food Fruit Fruits Happier Hunger Increase Killed Lack Need Pierced Pine Pined Slain Slowly Stricken Sword Victims Want Waste

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Lamentations 4

1.Zion bewails her pitiful estate
13.She confesses her sins
21.Edom is threatened and Zion comforted.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Those slain by the sword are better off
This phrase reflects the intense suffering experienced during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Historically, the siege led to severe famine, making death by the sword seem merciful in comparison. The sword represents a quick death, while famine brings prolonged suffering. This sentiment echoes the despair found in other biblical texts, such asJeremiah 14:18, where the prophet laments the widespread death and destruction.

than those who die of hunger,
Hunger during a siege was a common and devastating reality in ancient warfare. The Book of Lamentations captures the horror of starvation, which was often seen as a slow and agonizing death. This reflects the curses outlined inDeuteronomy 28:53-57, where disobedience to God leads to such dire consequences. The cultural context of the time viewed famine as a sign of divine judgment.

who waste away,
The phrase "waste away" describes the physical and emotional deterioration caused by prolonged hunger. In the ancient Near East, the body wasting away was not only a physical condition but also a metaphor for spiritual and communal decay. This imagery is consistent with the lamentations of Job, who also speaks of wasting away due to suffering (Job 19:20).

pierced with pain
The pain here is both physical and emotional, highlighting the depth of suffering experienced by those enduring famine. This phrase can be connected to the broader biblical theme of suffering and redemption, as seen in the suffering servant passages ofIsaiah 53, which foreshadow the suffering of Christ. The piercing pain can also be seen as a type of the suffering Christ endured on the cross.

because the fields lack produce.
The lack of produce signifies the complete breakdown of agricultural and economic systems due to the siege. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, fields were a source of life and sustenance. The failure of the land to produce is a direct consequence of the covenant curses found inLeviticus 26:20. This also serves as a reminder of the dependency on God for provision, as seen in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).

Persons / Places / Events

1.Jeremiah
- Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" who lamented the destruction of Jerusalem.

2.Jerusalem
- The city that faced destruction and siege, leading to the dire circumstances described in Lamentations.

3.Babylonian Siege
- The event during which the Babylonians besieged Jerusalem, leading to famine and suffering among its inhabitants.

4.Inhabitants of Jerusalem
- The people who suffered during the siege, experiencing both the sword and starvation.

5.Fields of Jerusalem
- The agricultural lands that failed to produce food during the siege, contributing to the famine.

Teaching Points

The Reality of Suffering
Lamentations 4:9 highlights the severe suffering experienced during the siege, reminding us of the reality of human suffering in a fallen world.

Consequences of Disobedience
The verse serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, as seen in the history of Israel.

Compassion for the Suffering
As Christians, we are called to have compassion for those who suffer, recognizing their pain and offering support and prayer.

Hope in God’s Deliverance
Despite the dire circumstances, believers are encouraged to hold onto hope in God's ultimate deliverance and restoration.

The Importance of Spiritual Nourishment
Just as physical famine leads to death, spiritual famine can lead to spiritual death. We must seek nourishment through God's Word and prayer.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Lamentations 4:9?

2.How does Lamentations 4:9 highlight the severity of Jerusalem's suffering and judgment?

3.What lessons can we learn about God's justice from Lamentations 4:9?

4.How does Lamentations 4:9 connect with Deuteronomy 28:53-57 regarding disobedience consequences?

5.In what ways can we apply Lamentations 4:9 to modern-day spiritual complacency?

6.How can understanding Lamentations 4:9 deepen our compassion for those in distress today?

7.What does Lamentations 4:9 reveal about the severity of famine compared to death by the sword?

8.How does Lamentations 4:9 reflect God's judgment on Jerusalem?

9.What historical events led to the context of Lamentations 4:9?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 4?

11.What role does Satan play in the Bible?

12.In Ezekiel 5:11–12, how can we reconcile the promised devastating punishment (famine, sword, and scattering) with accounts from other biblical or secular sources?

13.(Lamentations 4:10) Is the claim that mothers cooked their children historically accurate or a hyperbolic contradiction of a loving God?

14.In Jeremiah 16:4, the prophecy describes mass death without mourning--what historical or archaeological evidence supports such a widespread calamity in that era?

What Does Lamentations 4:9 Mean

Those slain by the sword

•Lamentations 4:9 opens with a sobering contrast: “Those slain by the sword…”

• Death in battle is sudden. The sword ends life swiftly, sparing its victim prolonged suffering.

• Similar scenes appear in2 Samuel 1:25 andJeremiah 14:18, where battlefield casualties fall quickly.

• Scripture often treats immediate death as an act that, while tragic, limits extended agony (cf.Judges 5:27).

are better off

• The text declares that the fallen soldier is “better off.”

• Job longed for relief from misery, saying death would be rest (Job 3:20–22).

•Revelation 14:13 echoes the idea of blessed relief: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

• The comparison is not endorsing violence but underscoring how severe the next condition will be.

than those who die of hunger

• Siege-induced famine in Jerusalem made starvation commonplace (2 Kings 25:1–3).

• Moses had forewarned Israel of famine as discipline for covenant unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 28:53–55).

•Lamentations 2:12 paints the grim picture of children crying, “Where is bread and wine?”

• Starvation carries lingering torment; the verse regards that as worse than the sword.

who waste away

• Hunger leads to gradual emaciation: bodies “waste away.”

•Psalm 31:10 laments, “My strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.”

• Famine robs muscle, hope, and dignity, day after day—an agonizing slow fade rather than a swift end.

pierced with pain

• The phrase shows how famine feels like being stabbed repeatedly from within.

•Proverbs 14:13 reminds us that “even in laughter the heart may ache,” capturing inner torment.

•Isaiah 58:10 speaks of “satisfying the afflicted soul,” hinting at the depth of pain when that soul is not satisfied.

because the fields lack produce

• The root cause is agricultural failure: “the fields lack produce.”

•Leviticus 26:20 had warned, “Your land will not yield its produce.”

•Jeremiah 14:4 describes cracked ground and failed rains;Joel 1:10-12 portrays ruined fields and joy withered away.

• God’s judgment removes harvests, demonstrating the seriousness of covenant breach and calling His people to repentance.

summary

Lamentations 4:9 contrasts two tragic deaths to show the horrific depth of Jerusalem’s judgment. A soldier cut down swiftly is “better off” than a citizen who starves slowly, wasting away, stabbed by unrelenting hunger because the land no longer yields food. The verse magnifies the severity of God’s discipline, underscores the devastating consequences of sin, and invites sober reflection on the mercy still available when people turn back to Him.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9)For want of . . .--The italics indicate the difficulty of the sentence. Literally the clause stands,from the fruits of the field,and it has been explained by some as referring to those that died in battle,stricken through while yet there were fruits, i.e.,not doomed to perish slowly from hunger. The construction ofPsalm 109:24, however, "faileth of fatness"--i.e.,for want of fatness--gives a sufficient support to the Authorised version.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9.-The miserable condition just now described maintains a sad pre-eminence even when compared with the fate of the slain in battle. And why!For these pine away (literally,melt away)

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Those slain
חַלְלֵי־(ḥal·lê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2491:Pierced, polluted

by the sword
חֶ֔רֶב(ḥe·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719:Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

are
הָיוּ֙(hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, be

better off
טוֹבִ֤ים(ṭō·w·ḇîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, good

than those who die
מֵֽחַלְלֵ֖י(mê·ḥal·lê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2491:Pierced, polluted

of hunger,
רָעָ֑ב(rā·‘āḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458:Famine, hunger

who
שֶׁ֣הֵ֤ם(še·hêm)
Pronoun - relative | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992:They

waste away,
יָז֙וּבוּ֙(yā·zū·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2100:To flow freely, to have a, flux, to waste away, to overflow

pierced with pain
מְדֻקָּרִ֔ים(mə·ḏuq·qā·rîm)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1856:To stab, to starve, to revile

because the fields
שָׂדָֽי׃(śā·ḏāy)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704:Field, land

lack produce.
מִתְּנוּבֹ֖ת(mit·tə·nū·ḇōṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 8570:Fruit, produce

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OT Prophets: Lamentations 4:9 Those who are killed with the sword (Lam. La Lm)