Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. The LORD has brought her grief because of her many sins. Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe. New Living Translation Her oppressors have become her masters, and her enemies prosper, for the LORD has punished Jerusalem for her many sins. Her children have been captured and taken away to distant lands. English Standard Version Her foes have become the head; her enemies prosper, because the LORD has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone away, captives before the foe. Berean Standard Bible Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy. Berean Literal Bible Her adversaries have become as the head, and her enemies prosper; for YHWH has afflicted her because of the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone into captivity before the enemy. King James Bible Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy. New King James Version Her adversaries have become the master, Her enemies prosper; For the LORD has afflicted her Because of the multitude of her transgressions. Her children have gone into captivity before the enemy. New American Standard Bible Her adversaries have become her masters, Her enemies are secure; For the LORD has caused her grief Because of the multitude of her wrongdoings; Her little ones have gone away As captives led by the enemy. NASB 1995 Her adversaries have become her masters, Her enemies prosper; For the LORD has caused her grief Because of the multitude of her transgressions; Her little ones have gone away As captives before the adversary. NASB 1977 Her adversaries have become her masters, Her enemies prosper; For the LORD has caused her grief Because of the multitude of her transgressions; Her little ones have gone away As captives before the adversary. Legacy Standard Bible Her adversaries have become her masters; Her enemies are complacent; For Yahweh has caused her grief Because of the greatness of her transgressions; Her infants have gone away As captives before the adversary. Amplified Bible Her adversaries have become her masters, Her enemies prosper; For the LORD has caused her grief Because of the multitude of her transgressions; Her young children have gone Into captivity before the enemy. Berean Annotated Bible Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD {YHWH} has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy. Christian Standard Bible Her adversaries have become her masters; her enemies are at ease, for the LORD has made her suffer because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the adversary. Holman Christian Standard Bible Her adversaries have become her masters; her enemies are at ease, for the LORD has made her suffer because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the adversary. American Standard Version Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper; For Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: Her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary. Contemporary English Version Enemies now rule the city and live as they please. The LORD has punished Jerusalem because of her awful sins; he has let her people be dragged away. English Revised Version Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary. GOD'S WORD® Translation Its opponents are now in control. Its enemies have no worries. The LORD made Zion suffer for its many rebellious acts. Its children go ahead of their opponents into captivity. Good News Translation Her enemies succeeded; they hold her in their power. The LORD has made her suffer for all her many sins; Her children have been captured and taken away. International Standard Version Her adversaries dominate her, her enemies prosper. For the LORD has made her suffer because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away, taken into captivity in the presence of the enemy. NET Bible Her foes subjugated her; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD afflicted her because of her many acts of rebellion. Her children went away captive before the enemy. New Heart English Bible Her adversaries have become the head, her enemies prosper; for the LORD has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her young children have gone into captivity before the adversary. Webster's Bible Translation Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHer foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy. World English Bible Her adversaries have become the head. Her enemies prosper; for Yahweh has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions. Her young children have gone into captivity before the adversary. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHer adversaries have become chief, "" Her enemies have been at ease, "" For YHWH has afflicted her, "" For the abundance of her transgressions, "" Her infants have gone captive before the adversary. Berean Literal Bible Her adversaries have become as the head, and her enemies prosper; for YHWH has afflicted her because of the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone into captivity before the enemy. Young's Literal Translation Her adversaries have become chief, Her enemies have been at ease, For Jehovah hath afflicted her, For the abundance of her transgressions, Her infants have gone captive before the adversary. Smith's Literal Translation Her adversaries were for head, her enemies were secure; for Jehovah afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children went into captivity before the face of him pressing. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe. Her adversaries are become her lords, her enemies are enriched: because the Lord hath spoken against her for the multitude of her iniquities: her children are led into captivity: before the face of the oppressor. Catholic Public Domain Version HE. Her enemies have been made her leaders; her adversaries have been enriched. For the Lord has spoken against her, because of the multitude of her iniquities. Her little ones have been led into captivity before the face of the tribulator. New American Bible Her foes have come out on top, her enemies are secure; Because the LORD has afflicted her for her many rebellions. Her children have gone away, captive before the foe. New Revised Standard Version Her foes have become the masters, her enemies prosper, because the LORD has made her suffer for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone away, captives before the foe. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHer oppressors have become her rulers, and her adversaries have made an end of her; for the LORD has afflicted her for the multitude of her sins; her children are gone into captivity before the oppressor. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He They have been her oppressors, for the Ruler and her enemies have been quiet, because LORD JEHOVAH humbled her, because of the multitude of her sins, and her children went into captivity in front of the oppressor OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Her adversaries are become the head, Her enemies are at ease; For the LORD hath afflicted her For the multitude of her transgressions; Her young children are gone into captivity Before the adversary. Brenton Septuagint Translation HE. Her oppressors are become the head, and her enemies have prospered; for the Lord has afflicted her because of the multitude of her sins: her young children are gone into captivity before the face of the oppressor. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context How Lonely Lies the City…4The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gates are deserted; her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she herself is bitter with anguish. 5Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy. 6All the splendor has departed from the Daughter of Zion. Her princes are like deer that find no pasture; they lack the strength to flee in the face of the hunter.… Cross References Her foes have become her masters; Psalm 106:41-42 He delivered them into the hand of the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them. / Their enemies oppressed them and subdued them under their hand. Deuteronomy 28:48 you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you. Jeremiah 15:14 Then I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for My anger will kindle a fire that will burn against you.” her enemies are at ease. Psalm 73:12 Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth. Job 12:6 The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God are secure—those who carry their god in their hands. Psalm 123:4 We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Jeremiah 30:14-15 All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins. / Why do you cry out over your wound? Your pain has no cure! Because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins I have done these things to you. Leviticus 26:39-41 Those of you who survive in the lands of your enemies will waste away in their iniquity and will decay in the sins of their fathers. / But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, 2 Chronicles 36:16-17 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. / So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy. Deuteronomy 28:32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, while your eyes grow weary looking for them day after day, with no power in your hand. Isaiah 39:6-7 The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. / And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 2 Kings 24:15-16 Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, as well as the king’s mother, his wives, his officials, and the leading men of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. / The king of Babylon also brought into exile to Babylon all seven thousand men of valor and a thousand craftsmen and metalsmiths—all strong and fit for battle. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: / You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. / Your basket and kneading bowl will be cursed. … Isaiah 47:6 I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke. Jeremiah 5:19 And when the people ask, ‘For what offense has the LORD our God done all these things to us?’ You are to tell them, ‘Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so will you serve foreigners in a land that is not your own.’” 2 Kings 24:2-4 And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets. / Surely this happened to Judah at the LORD’s command, to remove them from His presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all that he had done, / and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was unwilling to forgive. Treasury of Scripture Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy. Adversaries Lamentations 2:17 The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries. Lamentations 3:46 All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. Leviticus 26:17 And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. for Lamentations 1:18 The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. Lamentations 3:39-43 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? … Leviticus 26:15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: her children Jeremiah 39:9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained. Jeremiah 52:27-30 And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land… Jump to Previous Adversaries Adversary Afflicted Captive Captives Captivity Caused Chief Children Ease Enemies Enemy Exile Foe Foes Goes Great Grief Haters Head Little Masters Multitude Ones Prisoners Prosper Sins Sorrow Transgressions YoungJump to Next Adversaries Adversary Afflicted Captive Captives Captivity Caused Chief Children Ease Enemies Enemy Exile Foe Foes Goes Great Grief Haters Head Little Masters Multitude Ones Prisoners Prosper Sins Sorrow Transgressions YoungLamentations 1 1. The miseries of Jerusalem and of the Jews lamented12. The attention of beholders demanded to this unprecedented case 18. The justice of God acknowledged, and his mercy supplicated. Her foes have become her masters; This phrase reflects the historical context of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Babylonians, once adversaries, now ruled over the people of Judah. This subjugation fulfilled the warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah, who had cautioned that disobedience to God would lead to foreign domination (Jeremiah 25:8-11). The concept of enemies becoming masters is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often seen as a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness to God (Deuteronomy 28:47-48). her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy. Persons / Places / Events 1. JerusalemThe city personified as a woman who has been overtaken by her enemies due to her transgressions. 2. Foes/Enemies The adversaries of Jerusalem who have gained dominance and are now at ease. 3. The LORD God, who has allowed this calamity as a consequence of Jerusalem's sins. 4. Children of Jerusalem The inhabitants who have been taken away as captives. 5. Captivity The event of being taken away by the enemies, symbolizing the consequence of sin. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinSin has real and severe consequences, both spiritually and physically. Jerusalem's downfall serves as a warning to remain faithful to God. God's Sovereignty in Judgment God is sovereign and just in His judgments. He allows consequences to bring about repentance and restoration. The Importance of Repentance Repentance is crucial in restoring our relationship with God. The lamentation is a call to turn back to Him. Hope in Captivity Even in the midst of judgment, there is hope for redemption and restoration. God's discipline is meant to bring us back to Him. Community Impact of Sin The sins of individuals and leaders can have a profound impact on the entire community, as seen in the captivity of Jerusalem's children. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Lamentations 1:5?2. How does Lamentations 1:5 illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God? 3. What does "her foes have become her masters" teach about sin's impact? 4. How can we avoid the fate described in Lamentations 1:5 in our lives? 5. Compare Lamentations 1:5 with Deuteronomy 28:15. What similarities do you find? 6. How can we seek God's mercy when facing consequences similar to Lamentations 1:5? 7. Why does Lamentations 1:5 describe Jerusalem's enemies as prospering due to her sins? 8. How does Lamentations 1:5 reflect God's justice and mercy? 9. What historical events led to the context of Lamentations 1:5? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 1? 11. How can a compassionate God allow such severe suffering as described in Lamentations 1:5? 12. What does the Bible say about confessing sin? 13. 1 Samuel 5 - How do we reconcile this account with other biblical passages that attribute different outcomes to the Ark's captivity? 14. If God’s mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23), why did He not prevent intense suffering and loss? What Does Lamentations 1:5 Mean Her foes have become her masters• Jerusalem’s conquerors now rule over her exactly as Moses warned would happen when Israel turned from the covenant (Deuteronomy 28:47-48). • God permitted Babylon to take the throne, as seen when King Jehoiachin “surrendered… and the king of Babylon took him captive” (2 Kings 24:12-15). • The city that once led the nations (1 Kings 10:23-24) now bows to foreign authority—a sobering picture of sin’s power to invert God-given roles. her enemies are at ease • Babylon lounges in victory while Judah groans; the prophet Habakkuk wrestled with this same tension: “Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?” (Habakkuk 1:13). • Psalm 73:12 observes, “Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree, they increase in wealth.” God allows the temporary comfort of Judah’s oppressors to magnify the contrast between momentary ease and ultimate justice (Jeremiah 50:33-34). • The scene reminds us that divine judgment can include letting adversaries relax, believing they have won, even as their own reckoning approaches (Zechariah 1:15). For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions • The destruction is not random; “the LORD has brought” it. 2 Chronicles 36:14-17 details how persistent idolatry and despising God’s word “provoked His wrath… so He brought up the king of the Chaldeans.” • Jeremiah had already warned, “Your own wickedness will discipline you” (Jeremiah 2:19). The prophet now affirms God’s faithfulness to His word—blessing for obedience, discipline for rebellion (Leviticus 26:14-17). • Rather than undermining God’s goodness, this verse underscores His moral integrity: He does exactly what He said He would do. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy • The exile fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy to Hezekiah: “Some of your descendants… will be taken away” (Isaiah 39:6-7). • Daniel 1:1-4 shows noble youths carted off to Babylon, illustrating the heartbreaking loss of the next generation. • Deuteronomy 28:41 had foretold, “You will have sons and daughters, but they will not remain yours, because they will go into captivity.” God’s word proved literally true, highlighting both His sovereignty and the high cost of unrepentant sin. summary Lamentations 1:5 paints a four-fold portrait of judgment: foreign domination, enemy comfort, divine causation, and national exile. Each line affirms that God keeps His promises—of blessing and of discipline. Judah’s fall is a sober reminder that sin inevitably leads to bondage, yet it also hints at hope: the same covenant-keeping Lord who judged would later restore (Jeremiah 30:10-11). (5) Her adversaries are the chief.--Literally, have become the head (Deuteronomy 28:13).Her enemies prosper.--Better, are at ease, secure from every resistance on her part. "Before the enemy," driven, i.e., as slaves are driven. Verse 5. - Are the chief; rather, are become the head. Comp. Deuteronomy 28:44, where, as a part of the curse of Israel's rebellion, it is foretold that "he [the stranger] shall become the head, and thou shalt become the tail." Before the enemy. Like a herd of cattle.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Her foesצָרֶ֤יהָ (ṣā·re·hā) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent have become הָי֨וּ (hā·yū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be her masters; לְרֹאשׁ֙ (lə·rōš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7218: The head her enemies אֹיְבֶ֣יהָ (’ō·yə·ḇe·hā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary are at ease. שָׁל֔וּ (šā·lū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7951: To be tranquil, secure, successful For כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the LORD יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has brought her grief הוֹגָ֖הּ (hō·w·ḡāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 3013: To grieve because of עַ֣ל (‘al) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against her many רֹב־ (rōḇ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness transgressions. פְּשָׁעֶ֑יהָ (pə·šā·‘e·hā) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 6588: Transgression Her children עוֹלָלֶ֛יהָ (‘ō·w·lā·le·hā) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 5768: A suckling have gone away הָלְכ֥וּ (hā·lə·ḵū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk as captives שְׁבִ֖י (šə·ḇî) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7628: Exiled, captured, exile, booty before לִפְנֵי־ (lip̄·nê-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the enemy. צָֽר׃ (ṣār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent Links Lamentations 1:5 NIVLamentations 1:5 NLT Lamentations 1:5 ESV Lamentations 1:5 NASB Lamentations 1:5 KJV Lamentations 1:5 BibleApps.com Lamentations 1:5 Biblia Paralela Lamentations 1:5 Chinese Bible Lamentations 1:5 French Bible Lamentations 1:5 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Lamentations 1:5 Her adversaries are become the head her (Lam. 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