Lamentations 4:15

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

ס֙וּרוּ֙

H5493

depart

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

טָמֵ֞א

H2931

ye it is unclean

foul in a religious sense

קָ֣רְאוּ

H7121

They cried

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לָ֗מוֹ

ס֙וּרוּ֙

H5493

depart

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

ס֙וּרוּ֙

H5493

depart

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּגָּ֔עוּ

H5060

touch

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

כִּ֥י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#10

נָצ֖וּ

H5132

not when they fled away

properly, to flash; hence, to blossom (from the brilliancy of color)

#11

גַּם

H1571

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

#12

נָ֑עוּ

H5128

and wandered

to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)

#13

אָֽמְרוּ֙

H559

they said

to say (used with great latitude)

#14

בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם

H1471

among the heathen

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

#15

לֹ֥א

H3808

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

#16

יוֹסִ֖יפוּ

H3254

They shall no more

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

#17

לָגֽוּר׃

H1481

sojourn

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?