Bible Strands
Lamentations 4:6
The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand turned to help her.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator addresses the surviving people of Judah immediately following the destruction of Jerusalem, contrasting their present desolation with the former prosperity described in the surrounding verses.
The words — עֲוֹן ('a.Von) = [the] iniquity of and חַטּאת (cha.Tat) = [the] sin of, which frame the devastation as a measured moral consequence rather than random catastrophe.
The thread — The comparison to Sodom runs through Genesis 19:25 as an example of sudden divine overthrow, Isaiah 1:9 as a benchmark for national ruin, and Matthew 24:21 when delineating unprecedented tribulation.
Why it lands — The text states that Jerusalem’s punishment exceeds Sodom’s, which fell instantly without aid, thereby removing any expectation of human rescue or mitigating defense.
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
For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
Cross-references
- Genesis 19:25 Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground.
- Isaiah 1:9 Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.
- Matthew 24:21 For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again.
- Luke 10:12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
- Luke 12:47 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
- Lamentations 4:9 Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.
- Ezekiel 16:48 As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did as you and your daughters have done.
- Daniel 9:12 You have carried out the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us a great disaster. For under all of heaven, nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.
- Matthew 11:23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.