Lamentations 4:7
Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:
Original Language Analysis
נְזִירֶ֙יהָ֙
Her Nazarites
H5139
נְזִירֶ֙יהָ֙
Her Nazarites
Strong's:
H5139
Word #:
2 of 10
separate, i.e., consecrated (as prince, a nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn nazirite)
אָ֤דְמוּ
they were more ruddy
H119
אָ֤דְמוּ
they were more ruddy
Strong's:
H119
Word #:
6 of 10
to show blood (in the face), i.e., flush or turn rosy
עֶ֙צֶם֙
in body
H6106
עֶ֙צֶם֙
in body
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
7 of 10
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
Cross References
Psalms 51:7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.Song of Solomon 5:10My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.Psalms 144:12That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:1 Samuel 16:12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
Historical Context
Nazarite vow symbolized dedication (Numbers 6). Even dedicated ones suffered—no immunity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does sin defile even the dedicated, and how does Christ provide purity?
- Why does Jeremiah emphasize the physical beauty and purity of the nobles before their downfall?
- What does this contrast between former glory and present ruin reveal about the totality of Jerusalem's fall?
Analysis & Commentary
Nazarites purer than snow, whiter than milk, ruddier than rubies—now blacker than coal. Sin degrades.