Lamentations 4:2

The young men of Jerusalem were as valuable as [MET] large amounts of gold, but now people consider that they are as worthless as ordinary clay pots.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

In Context

1Previously our people were like [MET] pure gold, but now they are worthless. Like [MET] the sacred stones in the temple have been scattered, our young men have been scattered.

3Even the female jackals/wolves feed their pups, but my people act cruelly toward their children; they are like [SIM] ostriches in the desert that abandon their eggs.

Read all of Lamentations 4

Cross References

Isaiah 30:14You will be smashed like a clay jar is smashed when it is dropped, and it shatters completely, with the result that there is not one piece big enough to carry some coals from a stove or to carry a little bit of water from a well.”

Jeremiah 19:11Then say to them, ‘This is what the Commander of the armies of angels says: “Just like this jar has been smashed and cannot be repaired, I will smash this city of Jerusalem and other places in Judah. You will bury some of your corpses here in this dump, until there is no more space to bury any more corpses.

Lamentations 2:21The corpses of people of all ages lie in the streets; there are even corpses of young men and young women who have been killed by our enemies’ swords. Because you were very angry, you caused them to be killed; you have slaughtered them without pitying them at all.

Hosea 8:8The people of Israel will be defeated [MET] by their enemies; they will be scattered among other nations and become worthless.

Romans 9:21Instead, ◄the potter certainly has the right to take some clay and from one lump of clay make one pot that people will honor and make another one for ordinary purposes [MET]./does not a potter have the right to take some clay and from one lump of clay make one pot that people will honor and make another pot for ordinary purposes?► [MET, RHQ] Similarly, God has the right to carry out what he purposes for people.

2 Timothy 2:20In a wealthy person’s house there are not only utensils made of gold and of silver, but also utensils made of wood and of clay. The gold and silver utensils are used at special occasions/events, and the others are used at ordinary occasions. Similarly, in a congregation there are those who ◄ are ready/desire► to do great things for the Lord Jesus, and there are those like the teachers of false doctrines/teachings who are not.

Matthew Henry on Lamentations 4:2-13

Desolate Condition of Jerusalem; Effects of Famine in Jerusalem; Destruction of Jerusalem. ( b. c. 588.) 1 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. 2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! 3 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Lamentations 4:2