Lamentations 4:21-22
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The phrase "strip yourself bare" isn't just about physical nakedness; it vividly portrays the complete humiliation and exposure of Edom's hidden malice and sin, laid bare before God and all to see, like a drunkard's shameful debauchery. This isn't merely an external punishment but an unveiling of their innermost ugliness.
Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz; but to you also the cup shall pass; you shall become drunk and strip yourself bare. The punishment of your iniquity, O daughter of Zion, is accomplished; he will keep you in exile no longer; but your iniquity, O daughter of Edom, he will punish; he will uncover your sins.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet, in the midst of lamenting Jerusalem's destruction, turns to Edom, a neighboring nation that rejoiced at Israel's downfall. He mockingly tells them to celebrate their current triumph, but warns that the "cup of wrath" poured out on Jerusalem will soon pass to them, leading to their own devastating judgment and shame. This shifts from sorrow over Israel's suffering to a declaration of divine justice against their enemies, hinting at a future hope for Israel.
The prophet tells Edom to 'rejoice and be glad' as Jerusalem falls, but there's a cutting irony in those words. What does this sarcastic command reveal about God's perspective on human rejoicing over others' pain?
The prophet's words to Edom are dripping with irony. He tells them to 'Rejoice and be glad' because their enemy, Jerusalem, has fallen. This isn't genuine encouragement; it's a sarcastic jab. Edom's joy in Judah's suffering was seen by God as malicious triumph.
The Malice of Edom
The Edomites, descendants of Esau, held a deep-seated hatred for Jacob's descendants. Their gloating over Jerusalem's destruction was particularly offensive. God sees this kind of schadenfreude – taking pleasure in another's misfortune – and it draws His judgment. The prophet uses irony to highlight the short-lived nature of their wicked celebration.
The 'cup' is a powerful metaphor for God's judgment. Edom thought they were safe, but the prophet warns them that their turn is coming. What does this image tell us about divine justice?
The 'cup' is a recurring biblical image for divine judgment and wrath. Jeremiah famously used it to describe the nations being forced to drink the wine of God's fury (Jeremiah 25:15-29). Here, the prophet uses it to show that even though Israel has drunk this cup of suffering, it will inevitably pass to Edom.
Drinking the Cup
'You shall become drunk and strip yourself bare.' This vivid imagery describes the utter humiliation and exposure that comes with divine judgment. Being drunk leads to loss of control, shame, and vulnerability. Edom's proud triumph will be replaced by utter disgrace as God pours out His righteous anger upon them.
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Understand the original words
bat Edom · Hebrew Noun
A personified reference to a nation or city, often used in prophetic literature to denote the collective identity and inhabitants of that place. It implies a filial relationship under the covenant or judgment of God.
'uuts · Hebrew Proper Noun
A historical/geographical region associated with the homeland of Job, located southeast of the Dead Sea, often linked to the territory of Edom. It represents a place of dwelling under God's providence.
kos · Hebrew Noun
A common biblical metaphor for divine judgment or wrath. Drinking from the cup implies receiving the fullness of God's righteous anger or the consequences of one's actions.
avon · Hebrew Noun
Often translated as 'iniquity' or 'perversion,' this term refers to a twisting of the moral order or a deliberate departure from God's standard. It signifies guilt resulting from such actions.
bat Tsiyon · Hebrew Proper Noun
A personified reference to Jerusalem or the people of Israel as the chosen people of God. It highlights their unique covenantal relationship with the Lord, despite their seasons of discipline.
galah · Hebrew Verb/Noun (as root)
Being carried away or forced to live outside one's homeland, frequently used to describe divine judgment upon Israel for covenant disobedience. It represents a state of separation from the land of promise.
chattat · Hebrew Noun
Missing the mark of God's holy standard. It encompasses both the act of rebellion and the resulting moral failure that requires atonement or judgment.
This passage speaks directly to the Edomites' cruel gloating over Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians, reminding them that their own judgment, prophesied by multiple Hebrew prophets, is also inevitable. It highlights the deep-seated animosity between Israel and Edom.
c. 8th century BC
Prophecies Against Edom
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah condemn Edom for its ancient hatred and participation in the downfall of Jerusalem, foretelling divine judgment.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar begins deporting Jewish exiles to Babylon, marking the start of the Babylonian Captivity.
587/586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. Edom actively participated in this destruction and subsequent plunder.
c. 580s-570s BC
Ezekiel's Prophecy Against Edom
Ezekiel delivers a strong prophecy of judgment against Edom for its actions against Judah, promising that Israel will take vengeance.
c. 540s BC
Isaiah's Prophecy of Edom's Fall
Isaiah vividly describes the coming judgment on Edom, portraying it as a devastating and complete overthrow.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, ending the Babylonian Empire and paving the way for the return of the Jewish exiles.
This passage directly addresses Edom's rejoicing over Judah's downfall and predicts their own judgment, mirroring the ironic command and subsequent doom found in Lamentations 4:21.
Obadiah 1:1-4Obadiah focuses entirely on God's judgment against Edom for their pride and their cruel actions against their brother Jacob (Israel), echoing the theme of Edom's deserved punishment for their malice.
Ezekiel 25:12-14Ezekiel describes God's vengeance upon Edom for their 'treacherous dealing' and 'spirit of enmity' against Judah, highlighting their sin and God's retribution in a way that connects to Lamentations 4:21's prophecy against them.
Psalm 137:7This psalm reflects the deep pain and bitterness of the exiles, mentioning Edom's role in their suffering ('Raze it, raze it, to its very foundation!') and thus providing context for the animosity addressed in Lamentations.
Isaiah 34:1-17Isaiah paints a vivid picture of God's judgment and desolation upon Edom, describing a thorough overthrow that aligns with the 'cup of wrath' imagery and the ultimate stripping bare mentioned in Lamentations 4:21.
pulpitLamentations 4:21: "Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked."
Verse 21. - Rejoice and be glad. An ironical address to Edom, who is bidden to enjoy her malicious triumph, but warned that it will be but short lived. How ungenerously the Edomites behaved at the fall of Jerusalem we are repeatedly told (see on Jeremiah 49:7). In the land of Uz. As to the situation of Uz,…
ellicottLamentations 4:21: "Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked."
(21) O daughter of Edom. —The triumph of Edom in the downfall of Zion was, as in Psalms 137, the crowning sorrow of the mourner. But with this sorrow there is a vision of judgment, which is also a vision of hope; the prophet returning to his favourite image of the wine-cup ( Jeremiah 25:17 ). On the “Land o…
The phrase "strip yourself bare" isn't just about physical nakedness; it vividly portrays the complete humiliation and exposure of Edom's hidden malice and sin, laid bare before God and all to see, like a drunkard's shameful debauchery. This isn't merely an external punishment but an unveiling of their innermost ugliness.
The prophet, in the midst of lamenting Jerusalem's destruction, turns to Edom, a neighboring nation that rejoiced at Israel's downfall. He mockingly tells them to celebrate their current triumph, but warns that the "cup of wrath" poured out on Jerusalem will soon pass to them, leading to their own devastating judgment and shame. This shifts from sorrow over Israel's suffering to a declaration of divine justice against their enemies, hinting at a future hope for Israel.
The prophet, in the midst of lamenting Jerusalem's destruction, turns to Edom, a neighboring nation that rejoiced at Israel's downfall. He mockingly tells them to celebrate their current triumph, but warns that the "cup of wrath" poured out on Jerusalem will soon pass to them, leading to their own devastating judgment and shame. This shifts from sorrow over Israel's suffering to a declaration of divine justice against their enemies, hinting at a future hope for Israel.
"Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz; but to you also the cup shall pass; you shall become drunk and strip yourself bare. The punishment of your iniquity, O daughter of Zion, is accom…" — The phrase "strip yourself bare" isn't just about physical nakedness; it vividly portrays the complete humiliation and exposure of Edom's hidden malice and sin, laid bare before God and all to see, l…
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Last reviewed October 2026
