Lamentations 4:16
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights a profound reversal: not only has God scattered them, but even their enemies no longer show respect to their most revered figures, the priests and elders. This isn't just about loss of power; it’s about a total loss of honor, stemming from their own disregard for God's prophets and justice.
The LORD himself has scattered them; he will regard them no more; no honor was shown to the priests, no favor to the elders.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes amidst a lament over Jerusalem's destruction and the suffering of its people. The prophet has just described the devastating attacks and the failure of other nations to offer aid. Now, he declares that God himself has actively scattered his people, turning away from them in judgment, and that even their most revered leaders, the priests and elders, are no longer shown respect.
Why would God, the source of all good, actively scatter His own people? This verse points to a powerful divine response to deep sin.
Lamentations 4:16 declares that "the LORD himself has scattered them." This isn't a passive observation but an active judgment. God's anger, depicted as a powerful force, directly causes their dispersion. Imagine a strong wind or an irresistible current – that's the picture here. This scattering is a consequence of their covenantal unfaithfulness and the sins that permeated their society. It's a divine action to separate them from their land and from His immediate presence, signifying a profound break in their relationship.
This scattering wasn't random; it was a deliberate act of God's judgment, a consequence of their turning away from Him. The text highlights that this is not just a political or military defeat, but a spiritual and relational consequence initiated by God himself.
When God's face turns away, human respect often follows suit. Discover the double loss experienced by a scattered people.
The verse continues, "he will regard them no more; no honor was shown to the priests, no favor to the elders." This describes a complete loss of respect, both from God and from humanity.
Firstly, God's regard shifts from favor to judgment. The look of love and protection is replaced by the "face of wrath." This means they can no longer expect divine intervention or blessing.
Secondly, this divine disfavor impacts how others see them. The priests, who should have been revered, and the elders, who should have been honored for their wisdom and position, are now disregarded. Their enemies, or even indifferent onlookers, show them no deference. This highlights how societal structures and religious authority collapse when a people loses God's favor.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the self-existent, covenant-keeping God of Israel, who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush. It signifies His unchanging faithfulness to His promises.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
Religious leaders set apart to serve in the tabernacle or temple, responsible for offering sacrifices, maintaining ritual purity, and mediating between God and the people.
zaqen · Hebrew Noun
Older men in a community who served as leaders, decision-makers, and keepers of tribal traditions, often exercising significant influence and judicial authority.
This verse powerfully captures the devastating consequences of the Babylonian conquest and exile, highlighting that the scattering and disregard shown to Israel's leaders were not random but were seen as direct divine judgment for their sins.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and ending its existence as a distinct political entity. This event serves as a precedent for the scattering of the southern kingdom.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire defeat the Egyptians and Assyrians, initiating the first wave of exiles from Judah, including members of the royal family and aristocracy.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Babylon again attacks Jerusalem, deposes King Jehoiachin, and takes a larger number of skilled craftsmen and leaders into exile. This further weakens the Judean kingdom.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces finally crush the Judean rebellion, destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, and carry off most of the remaining population into Babylonian exile.
c. 586-538 BC
The Exile in Babylon
The people of Judah live in exile in Babylon, experiencing a profound sense of loss, disorientation, and judgment. Lamentations, including this verse, reflects this period of national mourning and divine wrath.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus, overthrows the Babylonian Empire, opening the way for the Jewish exiles to eventually return to their homeland.
This verse describes Jacob prophesying that his sons will be 'divided' and 'scattered,' which directly parallels the scattering of Judah by the LORD's anger mentioned in Lamentations 4:16.
2 Chronicles 36:16This passage explains that the exile of the people of Judah was a consequence of their persistent contempt for God's messengers and His word, echoing the disregard for priests and elders in Lamentations 4:16.
Jeremiah 52:7-11This account of the fall of Jerusalem describes how Nebuchadnezzar captured King Zedekiah and then had him blinded and bound in bronze chains, showing a complete lack of favor or honor towards the highest leaders.
Ezekiel 34:1-10This prophecy condemns the shepherds (leaders) of Israel for neglecting and scattering the flock, revealing a pattern of failed leadership that aligns with the divine judgment described in Lamentations 4:16.
pulpitLamentations 4:16: "The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders."
Verse 16. - Hath divided them; i.e. hath scattered them, like "l will divide them in Jacob" (Genesis 49:7).
pooleLamentations 4:16: "The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders."
These words seem to be the language of their enemies triumphing over them, as discerning that their God was provoked against them, and would have no more regard or respect unto them; and that they had misused his prophets, which agreeth with 2 Chronicles 36:16 . But others rather think these latter words (if not the former also)…
The verse highlights a profound reversal: not only has God scattered them, but even their enemies no longer show respect to their most revered figures, the priests and elders. This isn't just about loss of power; it’s about a total loss of honor, stemming from their own disregard for God's prophets and justice.
This verse comes amidst a lament over Jerusalem's destruction and the suffering of its people. The prophet has just described the devastating attacks and the failure of other nations to offer aid. Now, he declares that God himself has actively scattered his people, turning away from them in judgment, and that even their most revered leaders, the priests and elders, are no longer shown respect.
This verse comes amidst a lament over Jerusalem's destruction and the suffering of its people. The prophet has just described the devastating attacks and the failure of other nations to offer aid. Now, he declares that God himself has actively scattered his people, turning away from them in judgment, and that even their most revered leaders, the priests and elders, are no longer shown respect.
"The LORD himself has scattered them; he will regard them no more; no honor was shown to the priests, no favor to the elders." — The verse highlights a profound reversal: not only has God scattered them, but even their enemies no longer show respect to their most revered figures, the priests and elders. This isn't just about l…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
