Lamentations
King James Version (KJV)
Lamentations 4:9
“They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.”
King James Version (KJV)
Lamentations 4:9 Context
6For 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. 7Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire: 8Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick. 9They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field. 10The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people. 11The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof. 12The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.
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Other Translations
They that bee slaine with the sword, are better then they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
Better are those slain with the sword Than those slain with hunger; For they pine away, being stricken For lack of the fruits of the field.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.
- American Standard Version (1901)
Those who have been put to the sword are better off than those whose death is caused by need of food; for these come to death slowly, burned up like the fruit of the field.
- Basic English Bible
The slain with the sword are happier than the slain with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
- Darby Bible
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
- Webster's Bible
Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.
- World English Bible
Better have been the pierced of a sword Than the pierced of famine, For these flow away, pierced through, Without the increase of the field.
- Youngs Literal Bible
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
Better are those slain with the sword Than those slain with hunger; For they pine away, being stricken For lack of the fruits of the field.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.
- American Standard Version (1901)
Those who have been put to the sword are better off than those whose death is caused by need of food; for these come to death slowly, burned up like the fruit of the field.
- Basic English Bible
The slain with the sword are happier than the slain with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
- Darby Bible
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
- Webster's Bible
Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.
- World English Bible
Better have been the pierced of a sword Than the pierced of famine, For these flow away, pierced through, Without the increase of the field.
- Youngs Literal Bible
They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Bible commentary
Wesley's Notes for Lamentations 4:9
4:7 Nazarites - Her Nazarites in this place signify her separated ones, who either in respect of birth, education, estate, or place of magistracy, were distinguished from the rest of the people.
4:8 Not known - So that those who before knew them, do not know them now.