Bible Strands
Lamentations 4:1
How the gold has become tarnished, the pure gold has become dull! The gems of the temple lie scattered on every street corner.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker addresses the ruined city of Jerusalem immediately after its siege and fall, observing the desolation of the temple and streets. The moment captures the post-destruction reality where sacred objects and former glory are reduced to common refuse.
The words — The Hebrew אֵיכָה ('ei.Khah) functions as a direct exclamation of "how!" at the loss, while תִשְׁתַּפֵּכְנָה (tish.ta.Pe.khe.nah) literally means "they lie scattered," describing the physical state of the temple stones.
The thread — The scattering of temple valuables appears in Ezekiel 7:19, where silver is thrown into the streets and gold becomes unclean, and aligns with the night-watch lament of Lamentations 2:19.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to acknowledge that judgment strips sacred things of their former status, leaving only scattered debris that demands sober assessment rather than comfort.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 7:19 They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity.
- Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street.
- Isaiah 1:21 See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!
- 2 Kings 25:9 He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.
- Isaiah 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations.
- Jeremiah 52:13 He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.
- Matthew 24:2 “Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
- Mark 13:2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
- Luke 21:5 As some of the disciples were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, Jesus said,