Lamentations 5:13
They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.
Original Language Analysis
בַּחוּרִים֙
the young men
H970
בַּחוּרִים֙
the young men
Strong's:
H970
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
נָשָׂ֔אוּ
They took
H5375
נָשָׂ֔אוּ
They took
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
3 of 6
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וּנְעָרִ֖ים
and the children
H5288
וּנְעָרִ֖ים
and the children
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
4 of 6
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
Historical Context
Millstones were heavy; this was humiliating slave labor. Children forced to carry loads beyond strength.
Questions for Reflection
- What does exploitation of youth teach about evil regimes?
- What does forcing young men to grind (typically women's work) symbolize about humiliation and role reversal?
- How does child labor under heavy burdens reflect the oppression of captivity?
Analysis & Commentary
Young men bear millstones, children fall under wood. Forced labor of youth—stealing future.