Lamentations 5:9

Authorized King James Version

We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּנַפְשֵׁ֙נוּ֙
with the peril of our lives
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#2
נָבִ֣יא
We gat
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#3
לַחְמֵ֔נוּ
our bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#4
מִפְּנֵ֖י
because
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
חֶ֥רֶב
of the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#6
הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃
of the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Lamentations. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection