Lamentations 5:3 - We are orphans and fatherless. Our mothers are as widows.
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What does "Lamentations 5:3" mean?
Lamentations 5:3, "We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows," paints a vivid picture of profound loss and vulnerability. Let's break it down:
"We are orphans and fatherless:" This is a straightforward statement of loss. The children are without their fathers, who would typically provide protection, provision, and guidance. This loss is likely due to death in battle or execution during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.
"Our mothers are as widows:" This doesn't mean the mothers are literally widows (though some might be). Instead, it emphasizes their state of helplessness and abandonment. Even if their husbands are still alive as prisoners or exiles, they are as good as dead to their families. They lack the support, protection, and provision that husbands would normally provide. They are left in a position of extreme vulnerability, similar to widows who were considered one of the most vulnerable groups in ancient society. They have lost their social status, their means of livelihood, and their protection.
Overall Meaning:
The verse describes the devastating impact of the Babylonian conquest on the family structure. The loss of fathers (literally or figuratively) has left the children vulnerable and the mothers in a state of profound helplessness, stripped of their support and security. It conveys a sense of utter despair and the breakdown of societal norms, highlighting the complete devastation that war and exile have brought upon the people.
Essentially, it's an expression of the utter ruin and vulnerability of the community after the fall of Jerusalem. The normal social structures of family and support have been shattered, leaving people in a state of abject despair.
Lamentations 5:3 - We are orphans and fatherless. Our mothers are as widows.
What does "Lamentations 5:3" mean?
Lamentations 5:3, "We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows," paints a vivid picture of profound loss and vulnerability. Let's break it down:
"We are orphans and fatherless:" This is a straightforward statement of loss. The children are without their fathers, who would typically provide protection, provision, and guidance. This loss is likely due to death in battle or execution during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.
"Our mothers are as widows:" This doesn't mean the mothers are literally widows (though some might be). Instead, it emphasizes their state of helplessness and abandonment. Even if their husbands are still alive as prisoners or exiles, they are as good as dead to their families. They lack the support, protection, and provision that husbands would normally provide. They are left in a position of extreme vulnerability, similar to widows who were considered one of the most vulnerable groups in ancient society. They have lost their social status, their means of livelihood, and their protection.
Overall Meaning:
The verse describes the devastating impact of the Babylonian conquest on the family structure. The loss of fathers (literally or figuratively) has left the children vulnerable and the mothers in a state of profound helplessness, stripped of their support and security. It conveys a sense of utter despair and the breakdown of societal norms, highlighting the complete devastation that war and exile have brought upon the people.
Essentially, it's an expression of the utter ruin and vulnerability of the community after the fall of Jerusalem. The normal social structures of family and support have been shattered, leaving people in a state of abject despair.