Lamentations 4:8

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

חָשַׁ֤ךְ is blacker H2821
חָשַׁ֤ךְ is blacker
Strong's: H2821
Word #: 1 of 13
to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken
מִשְּׁחוֹר֙ than a coal H7815
מִשְּׁחוֹר֙ than a coal
Strong's: H7815
Word #: 2 of 13
dinginess, i.e., perhaps soot
תָּֽאֳרָ֔ם Their visage H8389
תָּֽאֳרָ֔ם Their visage
Strong's: H8389
Word #: 3 of 13
outline, i.e., figure or appearance
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִכְּר֖וּ they are not known H5234
נִכְּר֖וּ they are not known
Strong's: H5234
Word #: 5 of 13
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
בַּחוּצ֑וֹת in the streets H2351
בַּחוּצ֑וֹת in the streets
Strong's: H2351
Word #: 6 of 13
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
צָפַ֤ד cleaveth H6821
צָפַ֤ד cleaveth
Strong's: H6821
Word #: 7 of 13
to adhere
עוֹרָם֙ their skin H5785
עוֹרָם֙ their skin
Strong's: H5785
Word #: 8 of 13
skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַצְמָ֔ם to their bones H6106
עַצְמָ֔ם to their bones
Strong's: H6106
Word #: 10 of 13
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
יָבֵ֖שׁ it is withered H3001
יָבֵ֖שׁ it is withered
Strong's: H3001
Word #: 11 of 13
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
הָיָ֥ה H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 12 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָעֵֽץ׃ it is become like a stick H6086
כָעֵֽץ׃ it is become like a stick
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 13 of 13
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

Analysis & Commentary

Visage blacker than coal, unrecognized in streets. Famine physical toll. Skin shriveled on bones.

Historical Context

Severe malnutrition causes dramatic physical changes. Archaeological evidence confirms famine victims.

Questions for Reflection