Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert. New Living Translation Our enemies were swifter than eagles in flight. If we fled to the mountains, they found us. If we hid in the wilderness, they were waiting for us there. English Standard Version Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles in the heavens; they chased us on the mountains; they lay in wait for us in the wilderness. Berean Standard Bible Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. King James Bible Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. New King James Version Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the heavens. They pursued us on the mountains And lay in wait for us in the wilderness. New American Standard Bible Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky; They chased us on the mountains, They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness. NASB 1995 Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky; They chased us on the mountains, They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness. NASB 1977 Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky. They chased us on the mountains; They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness. Legacy Standard Bible Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky; They hotly pursued us on the mountains; They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness. Amplified Bible Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the sky; They pursued us on the mountains, They waited in ambush for us in the wilderness. Christian Standard Bible Those who chased us were swifter than eagles in the sky; they relentlessly pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. Holman Christian Standard Bible Those who chased us were swifter than eagles in the sky; they relentlessly pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. American Standard Version Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens: They chased us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. Contemporary English Version They swooped down faster than eagles from the sky. They hunted for us in the hills and set traps to catch us out in the desert. English Revised Version Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they chased us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. GOD'S WORD® Translation Those who were hunting us were faster than eagles in the sky. They chased us in the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. Good News Translation Swifter than eagles swooping from the sky, they chased us down. They tracked us down in the hills; they took us by surprise in the desert. International Standard Version Our pursuers were swifter than soaring eagles; they pursued us over the mountains, lying in wait for us in the wilderness. NET Bible Those who pursued us were swifter than eagles in the sky. They chased us over the mountains; they ambushed us in the wilderness. New Heart English Bible Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky. They chased us on the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness. Webster's Bible Translation Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThose who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. World English Bible Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky. They chased us on the mountains. They set an ambush for us in the wilderness. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionSwifter have been our pursuers, "" Than the eagles of the heavens, "" On the mountains they have burned [after] us, "" In the wilderness they have laid wait for us. Young's Literal Translation Swifter have been our pursuers, Than the eagles of the heavens, On the mountains they have burned after us, In the wilderness they have laid wait for us. Smith's Literal Translation They pursuing us were swift above the eagle of the heavens: they burned after us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the desert. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleCoph. Our persecutors were swifter than the eagles of the air: they pursued us upon the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness. Catholic Public Domain Version COPH. Our persecutors have been swifter than the eagles of the sky. They have been pursuing us above the mountains; they have lain in wait for us in the desert. New American Bible Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky, In the mountains they were hot on our trail, they ambushed us in the wilderness. New Revised Standard Version Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles in the heavens; they chased us on the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleOur pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the air; they chased us upon the mountains, they laid in wait for us in the wilderness. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Qoph Our pursuers have been swifter than the eagles of Heaven! On the mountains they chased us and in the wilderness they ambushed us! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the heaven; They chased us upon the mountains, They lay in wait for us in the wilderness. Brenton Septuagint Translation Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky, they flew on the mountains, in the wilderness they laid wait for us. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Distress of Zion…18They stalked our every step, so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near, our time ran out, for our end had come! 19Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. 20The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”… Cross References Jeremiah 4:13 Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined! Deuteronomy 28:49 The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand, Habakkuk 1:8 Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour. Isaiah 30:16 “No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster. Jeremiah 48:40 For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, an eagle swoops down and spreads his wings against Moab. Jeremiah 49:22 Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s mighty men will be like the heart of a woman in labor. 2 Samuel 1:23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. Job 9:25-26 My days are swifter than a runner; they flee without seeing good. / They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. Hosea 8:1 Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law. Amos 9:1-4 I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape. / Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. / Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. ... Matthew 24:28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Luke 17:37 “Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.” Revelation 12:14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Matthew 24:16-18 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak. Mark 13:14-16 So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak. Treasury of Scripture Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us on the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. persecutors Deuteronomy 28:49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; Isaiah 5:26-28 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: … Isaiah 30:16,17 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift… the eagles. Amos 2:14 Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: Amos 9:1-3 I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered… Jump to Previous Ambush Burned Chased Desert Driving Eagles Heaven Heavens Laid Mountains Persecutors Pursued Pursuers Quicker Secretly Sky Swifter Vultures Wait Waited Waiting Waste WildernessJump to Next Ambush Burned Chased Desert Driving Eagles Heaven Heavens Laid Mountains Persecutors Pursued Pursuers Quicker Secretly Sky Swifter Vultures Wait Waited Waiting Waste WildernessLamentations 4 1. Zion bewails her pitiful estate13. She confesses her sins 21. Edom is threatened and Zion comforted. Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; This phrase highlights the speed and determination of the enemies of Jerusalem. Eagles are known for their swiftness and keen sight, symbolizing the relentless pursuit by the Babylonians. In biblical times, eagles were often used as symbols of power and speed (Deuteronomy 28:49). The imagery suggests that the attackers were not only fast but also strategic, much like an eagle that spots its prey from afar and swoops down with precision. This relentless pursuit can be seen as a fulfillment of the curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28, where God warns Israel of the consequences of disobedience. they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahTraditionally considered the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" who lamented the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people. 2. The Israelites The people of Judah who are experiencing the consequences of their disobedience to God, including the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. 3. The Pursuers Likely referring to the Babylonian army, known for their speed and strength, who relentlessly pursued the Israelites during the conquest. 4. Eagles in the Sky A metaphor for the swiftness and power of the Babylonian forces, emphasizing their ability to overtake and capture the Israelites. 5. The Wilderness Represents a place of danger and desolation where the Israelites were vulnerable to their enemies. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceThe Israelites' suffering was a direct result of their disobedience to God. This serves as a reminder of the importance of living in accordance with God's commands. The Relentlessness of Sin Just as the pursuers were relentless, sin can be relentless in its pursuit of us. We must remain vigilant and seek God's strength to overcome it. God's Sovereignty in Judgment Even in judgment, God remains sovereign. The Israelites' experience was part of God's larger plan, reminding us to trust in His ultimate wisdom and justice. Hope in Desolation While the wilderness represents desolation, it is also a place where God can meet us and provide for us. We should seek His presence even in our darkest times. The Need for Repentance The Israelites' plight underscores the need for genuine repentance and turning back to God. This is a call for us to examine our lives and seek reconciliation with Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Lamentations 4:19?2. How does Lamentations 4:19 illustrate God's judgment on Jerusalem's enemies? 3. What lessons on divine justice can we learn from Lamentations 4:19? 4. How does Lamentations 4:19 connect with God's protection in Psalm 91? 5. How can we apply the vigilance described in Lamentations 4:19 to our lives? 6. What does Lamentations 4:19 teach about relying on God's timing over human plans? 7. What historical events does Lamentations 4:19 refer to in its depiction of pursuit and swiftness? 8. How does Lamentations 4:19 reflect the themes of divine judgment and human suffering? 9. What is the significance of the imagery of eagles in Lamentations 4:19? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 4? 11. What defines a psalm? 12. Is there any archaeological evidence that confirms the captivity described in Ezekiel 19:4 and 19:9? 13. If the devil claimed authority over 'all the kingdoms' (Matthew 4:8-9), how does that align with God's sovereignty? 14. What is the significance of Mount Sinai? What Does Lamentations 4:19 Mean Those who chased us- Jeremiah describes Judah’s enemies—historically the Babylonian forces—as the relentless pursuers who closed in after Jerusalem fell (Jeremiah 52:8; Lamentations 1:3). - The phrase affirms a literal episode: covenant‐breaking Judah experiences the judgment God warned about in Deuteronomy 28:49, where a foreign nation would rise “like an eagle” against His people. were swifter than the eagles in the sky; - Eagles evoke speed, power, and unchallenged dominance (Habakkuk 1:8). Babylon’s cavalry and infantry struck with a rapidity that stunned Judah, leaving no time to regroup. - God’s Word had promised both mercy for obedience and swift judgment for rebellion. Here the “swifter than eagles” image underlines how surely and quickly divine judgment arrived, just as God’s earlier prophets foretold (2 Samuel 1:23; Deuteronomy 28:49). they pursued us over the mountains - After the city walls were breached, survivors fled westward toward the Jordan wilderness and south toward the Arabah, believing rugged terrain would shield them. Babylonian troops followed “over the mountains,” showing that no natural barrier could thwart God’s announced discipline (Jeremiah 52:7; 2 Kings 25:4–5). - Even Israel’s history of refuge in the hills (1 Samuel 23:14) offers no safety when the Lord Himself uses foreign armies as His instrument. and ambushed us in the wilderness. - The wilderness, traditionally a place where God met Israel (Exodus 16:1; Hosea 2:14), now becomes the setting for further sorrow. Babylon’s soldiers lay in wait, cutting off escape routes and capturing fugitives (Jeremiah 39:4–5). - Lamentations 3:52 echoes the feeling: “My enemies without cause hunted me like a bird.” The ambush imagery underscores total devastation: Judah is surrounded physically and spiritually, exactly matching the warnings in Obadiah 1:7 about allies turning treacherous in hidden places. summary Lamentations 4:19 paints a vivid, literal snapshot of Babylon’s conquest: ruthless enemies chase Judah with unstoppable speed, traverse mountains to corner the fleeing remnant, and set traps even in the wilderness. The verse confirms that God’s prophetic warnings of swift judgment proved true in chilling detail, calling readers to trust His Word completely and to cling to obedience, knowing both His justice and His mercy are certain. (19) Our persecutors.--Better, Our pursuers, the words referring to the Chaldaean enemies rather than to persecutors in the modern sense of the word. The comparison with eagles has a parallel in Deuteronomy 28:49. If we take the second clause as referring to the flight of Zedekiah, mentioned in the next verse, the mountains would be the heights east of Jerusalem, beginning with the Mount of Olives, and the wilderness that of the Ghor, or Jordan Valley (Jeremiah 39:5).Verse 19. - Swifter than the eagles of the heaven. Jeremiah, or his imitator, repeats the figure which occurs in Jeremiah 4:13. There is probably no special reference to the circumstances of the capture of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 39:4, 5); the escape of many fugitives would be similarly cut off.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Those who chased usרֹדְפֵ֔ינוּ (rō·ḏə·p̄ê·nū) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute were הָיוּ֙ (hā·yū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be swifter קַלִּ֤ים (qal·lîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7031: Light, swift, fleet than the eagles מִנִּשְׁרֵ֖י (min·niš·rê) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 5404: The eagle in the sky; שָׁמָ֑יִם (šā·mā·yim) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky they pursued us דְּלָקֻ֔נוּ (də·lā·qu·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common plural Strong's 1814: To burn, hotly pursue over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the mountains הֶהָרִ֣ים (he·hā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country and ambushed us אָ֥רְבוּ (’ā·rə·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 693: To lie in wait in the wilderness. בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר (bam·miḏ·bār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech Links Lamentations 4:19 NIVLamentations 4:19 NLT Lamentations 4:19 ESV Lamentations 4:19 NASB Lamentations 4:19 KJV Lamentations 4:19 BibleApps.com Lamentations 4:19 Biblia Paralela Lamentations 4:19 Chinese Bible Lamentations 4:19 French Bible Lamentations 4:19 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Lamentations 4:19 Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles (Lam. 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