Lamentations 5:6 - We have given our hands to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
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What does "Lamentations 5:6" mean?
Lamentations 5:6 reflects the desperate situation of the people of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The verse, "We have given our hands to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread," speaks to their loss of sovereignty and desperate need for survival. Let's break it down:
"We have given our hands": This is a figurative way of saying they have submitted themselves. "Giving one's hand" often symbolized an agreement, a pledge of service, or a yielding of power. It represents entering into a subservient relationship.
"to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians": Historically, Judah had often sought alliances and aid from Egypt and Assyria, sometimes even playing them off against each other. However, these alliances were often unreliable and detrimental in the long run. Assyria was already a historical empire by the time of Lamentations (destroyed by the Babylonians) but they were still seen as a major power, representing the choice to ally with those not of God's people. This phrase highlights the irony and tragedy. They're not just relying on any foreign power, but on the very powers that had historically threatened them. (It should also be noted that Judah had been forbidden from allying itself with other nations, so this act showed not only desperation, but a lack of faith in God.)
"to be satisfied with bread": This is the crux of the verse. It starkly emphasizes their utter destitution. They're willing to become servants, to give up their freedom and independence, simply for enough food to survive. The word "bread" symbolizes basic sustenance, the bare minimum to keep living. It reveals the severity of the famine and desperation that drove them to such a humbling position.
In essence, the verse laments:
Loss of Independence: Judah had become a nation dependent on foreign powers, sacrificing its sovereignty for basic survival.
Desperation: The famine and hardship were so severe that they were willing to submit to their former adversaries.
Humiliation: They had been reduced to begging for bread, a far cry from their former status as a proud and independent nation.
Lack of trust in God: Relying on these foreign powers to provide showed a lack of faith in God.
The verse is a powerful indictment of the consequences of Judah's sins, which had led to their downfall and their reliance on unreliable earthly powers for survival. It underscores the tragic state of the nation after the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people.
Lamentations 5:6 - We have given our hands to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
What does "Lamentations 5:6" mean?
Lamentations 5:6 reflects the desperate situation of the people of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The verse, "We have given our hands to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread," speaks to their loss of sovereignty and desperate need for survival. Let's break it down:
"We have given our hands": This is a figurative way of saying they have submitted themselves. "Giving one's hand" often symbolized an agreement, a pledge of service, or a yielding of power. It represents entering into a subservient relationship.
"to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians": Historically, Judah had often sought alliances and aid from Egypt and Assyria, sometimes even playing them off against each other. However, these alliances were often unreliable and detrimental in the long run. Assyria was already a historical empire by the time of Lamentations (destroyed by the Babylonians) but they were still seen as a major power, representing the choice to ally with those not of God's people. This phrase highlights the irony and tragedy. They're not just relying on any foreign power, but on the very powers that had historically threatened them. (It should also be noted that Judah had been forbidden from allying itself with other nations, so this act showed not only desperation, but a lack of faith in God.)
"to be satisfied with bread": This is the crux of the verse. It starkly emphasizes their utter destitution. They're willing to become servants, to give up their freedom and independence, simply for enough food to survive. The word "bread" symbolizes basic sustenance, the bare minimum to keep living. It reveals the severity of the famine and desperation that drove them to such a humbling position.
In essence, the verse laments:
Loss of Independence: Judah had become a nation dependent on foreign powers, sacrificing its sovereignty for basic survival.
Desperation: The famine and hardship were so severe that they were willing to submit to their former adversaries.
Humiliation: They had been reduced to begging for bread, a far cry from their former status as a proud and independent nation.
Lack of trust in God: Relying on these foreign powers to provide showed a lack of faith in God.
The verse is a powerful indictment of the consequences of Judah's sins, which had led to their downfall and their reliance on unreliable earthly powers for survival. It underscores the tragic state of the nation after the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people.