Lamentations 4:20
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.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This refers specifically to King Zedekiah's capture. 2 Kings 25:4-7 describes the event: "the king went the way toward the plain. And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him...Then they took the king...and brought him up unto the king of Babylon...And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon."
The language "breath of our nostrils" and "anointed of the LORD" reflects the elevated view of Davidic kingship. Psalm 2:2 speaks of "the LORD's anointed." The king represented God's rule and embodied national hopes. That he was "taken in their pits" (captured by enemies) represented not just political defeat but theological crisis—how could God's anointed fall?
The hope to "live under his shadow among the nations" reflected expectation that even in exile, having a Davidic king would preserve identity and hope for restoration. But Zedekiah's capture, his sons' execution, and his imprisonment in Babylon (where he died—Jeremiah 52:11) ended visible Davidic rule. This apparent failure of God's promise to David created crisis resolved only by recognizing that ultimate fulfillment comes through Christ, David's greater Son, whose kingdom is eternal and indestructible (Luke 1:32-33, Revelation 11:15).
Questions for Reflection
- What does calling the king 'the breath of our nostrils' reveal about how central the Davidic monarchy was to Israel's identity and hope?
- How does the failure of earthly Davidic kings ('taken in their pits') point to need for a perfect, eternal King—the Messiah?
- In what ways does living 'under His shadow' find ultimate fulfillment in Christ's protection and reign over believers?
- How should Zedekiah's capture and the apparent end of Davidic kingship have prepared Israel for a greater understanding of Messianic hope?
Analysis & Commentary
The king's capture lamented: "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." The Hebrew ruach appeinu meshiach YHWH nilkad bishchototam asher amarnu betsillov nichen'eh vagoyim uses exalted language for the Davidic king. Ruach appeinu (רוּחַ אַפֵּינוּ, "breath of our nostrils") indicates the king was considered essential to life itself—like breath.
"The anointed of the LORD" (meshiach YHWH, מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה) is the Hebrew term for Messiah—the divinely appointed king from David's line. "Was taken in their pits" (nilkad bishchototam, נִלְכַּד בִּשְׁחוֹתָתָם) describes capture. Shachath (שַׁחַת) means pit, trap, or destruction. The phrase "under his shadow we shall live" (betsillov nich'yeh, בְּצִלּוֹ נִחְיֶה) expresses the hope that the king's protection would preserve a remnant even in exile.
Theologically, this verse highlights the tragedy of failed human kingship pointing toward need for the true Messiah. David's line produced flawed kings whose failures culminated in Zedekiah's capture. Yet God's promise of an eternal Davidic kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16) awaited fulfillment in Christ—the true Anointed One whose reign never fails and under whose shadow believers truly live forever (Psalm 91:1).