Lamentations 4 21

Lamentations 4:21 kjv

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.

Lamentations 4:21 nkjv

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, You who dwell in the land of Uz! The cup shall also pass over to you And you shall become drunk and make yourself naked.

Lamentations 4:21 niv

Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom, you who live in the land of Uz. But to you also the cup will be passed; you will be drunk and stripped naked.

Lamentations 4:21 esv

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz; but to you also the cup shall pass; you shall become drunk and strip yourself bare.

Lamentations 4:21 nlt

Are you rejoicing in the land of Uz,
O people of Edom?
But you, too, must drink from the cup of the LORD's anger.
You, too, will be stripped naked in your drunkenness.

Lamentations 4 verses

Lamentations 4 21 meaning

Lamentations 4:21 delivers an ironic prophetic denunciation against Edom, celebrating their present glee over Judah's destruction. The verse declares that Edom's moment of joy is fleeting, as the very "cup" of divine judgment and suffering that Jerusalem experienced will also pass to them. They too will face God's wrath, resulting in utter intoxication by sorrow and profound public humiliation, mirroring the degradation Judah has endured.

Lamentations 4 21 Context

Lamentations 4 is a vivid portrayal of Jerusalem's suffering, a stark contrast to its former glory. The chapter emphasizes the severe effects of the famine, the social breakdown, and the degradation of the people, including princes and Nazirites. It directly links this devastation to the sins of the prophets and priests. Against this backdrop of Judah's humiliation and seemingly triumphant enemies, verse 21 abruptly shifts focus, offering a prophetic turn. It addresses Edom, Jerusalem's traditional enemy who not only rejoiced at Judah's downfall but actively participated in their plundering. Historically, Edomites were descendants of Esau, ever antagonistic towards Israel, and frequently capitalized on Judah's misfortunes, displaying malicious pleasure during their time of suffering, as specifically recounted in Psalm 137 and the book of Obadiah. This verse provides comfort to the desolate Judeans by assuring them that divine justice will be executed against their jubilant oppressors.

Lamentations 4 21 Word analysis

• Rejoice (שׂוּשׂ / sus): An imperative verb typically meaning to express extreme joy, glee, or exultation. Here, it is used ironically, highlighting Edom's current, misguided celebration over Jerusalem's fall. This mock command intensifies the future condemnation.
• and be glad (שָׂמַח / samach): Another imperative, commonly meaning to be cheerful, merry, or rejoice. Its pairing with sus emphasizes the depth of Edom's current, but short-lived, elation. The prophet uses their own joy as a point of contrast for their impending sorrow.
• O daughter of Edom (בַּת אֱדוֹם / bat Edom): A common poetic personification of a nation or people, similar to "Daughter of Zion." Edom, derived from Hebrew 'adom' (red), refers to the nation descended from Esau. This direct address personalizes the prophecy and underscores the specific identity of the target.
• you who dwell (יוֹשֶׁבֶת / yoshevet): A feminine participle, indicating a settled, inhabitant status. It emphasizes Edom's present security and comfortable dwelling, contrasting with the displaced Judah. This seemingly stable state is implicitly shown to be temporary.
• in the land of Uz (בְּאֶרֶץ עוּץ / b'eretz Utz): This geographical detail precisely locates Edom within or near their historical territory. While most famously known as the home of Job (Job 1:1), which could add a layer of tragic irony given Job's profound suffering, here it primarily serves to pinpoint the arrogant enemy nation receiving this divine threat.
• The cup (כּוֹס / kos): A potent biblical metaphor for one's lot or portion, specifically for divine judgment, suffering, or wrath. Drinking from this cup means experiencing the full force of this decreed punishment.
• shall also pass (גַּם עָלַיִךְ יַעֲבֹר / gam alayikh ya'avor):
  • gam: "also" or "even." This is a crucial particle emphasizing parallelism and retribution, directly linking Edom's coming fate to Jerusalem's. What happened to Judah will also happen to them.
  • ya'avor: "it shall pass" or "it shall come." This verb indicates the certain and inevitable transfer of judgment.
• to you (alayikh - feminine singular suffix attached to "upon" (על/al)): Direct address to "daughter of Edom."
• you shall be drunk (תִּשְׁכָּרִי / tishkari): Feminine singular imperfect verb from shakar (to be intoxicated). Metaphorically, it signifies being overwhelmed by calamity, losing all control, dignity, and ability to stand firm, analogous to physical drunkenness.
• and be exposed (וְתִתְעַרְעִי / v'tit'arei): Feminine singular imperfect verb from 'ar'ah (to make bare, uncover). This denotes public humiliation, utter degradation, defenselessness, and being stripped of all coverings and honor, echoing Jerusalem's shame (Lam 1:8).

Words-group analysis

• "Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom": This is a sarcastically cheerful opening, highlighting the prophet's deep irony. It underscores Edom's present pride and misplaced celebration, setting the stage for their impending reversal of fortune. The false sense of security derived from their joy will soon crumble.
• "you who dwell in the land of Uz": This phrase further grounds the ironic greeting in Edom's current geographical and political context. It points to their present state of presumed stability and established habitation, implying their false sense of permanence before God's inevitable intervention.
• "The cup shall also pass to you": This is the heart of the prophecy: a declarative statement of imminent and undeniable divine retribution. The term "cup" profoundly conveys God's predetermined and overwhelming judgment. The critical word "also" acts as a powerful reminder of retributive justice, directly linking Edom's future suffering to Jerusalem's recent calamities, asserting God's impartiality in judgment.
• "you shall be drunk and be exposed": These two vivid images combine to describe a state of complete humiliation and degradation. "Drunk" signifies a loss of control, an overwhelming stupor under the weight of divine wrath, while "exposed" denotes public shame, utter vulnerability, and the stripping away of all honor and defenses, completing the picture of national devastation akin to Jerusalem's fate.

Lamentations 4 21 Bonus section

The mention of the "land of Uz" might subtly invoke a further dimension, associating Edom's fate with the land that once hosted Job, a figure who endured immense, undeserved suffering before ultimate restoration. For Edom, however, the "suffering" is a deserved judgment for their transgressions, and no restoration is promised for their unrighteous gloating and hostility. The theological implication extends beyond specific national destinies, illustrating God's consistent standard of justice for those who actively oppose or gloat over His people's suffering, reinforcing the principle that one reaps what one sows. It shows that even amidst the deepest despair of Judah, God had a wider perspective of justice, comforting His people by ensuring their adversaries would eventually face a similar fate.

Lamentations 4 21 Commentary

Lamentations 4:21 serves as a profound pronouncement of divine justice, bringing solace to a ravaged Judah. Through an address of chilling irony, the prophet directs God's word to Edom, a nation characterized by its historical enmity and schadenfreude toward Israel. Their present "rejoicing and gladness" over Jerusalem's fall is directly challenged as the prophet asserts God's sovereignty over all nations, even those seemingly untouched by current suffering. The powerful metaphor of "the cup" unequivocally symbolizes God's wrath and preordained judgment. The key term "also" ensures that Edom cannot escape their share; the same kind of devastating punishment Jerusalem experienced will inevitably be theirs. This future retribution is vividly painted as being "drunk" with divine wrath—signifying disorientation, powerlessness, and complete moral collapse—and then being "exposed," representing the stripping away of all dignity, honor, and security. This mirrors the shame and degradation that Jerusalem suffered. Ultimately, the verse affirms that God's justice is perfect, encompassing both His covenant people and the nations that defy Him, bringing assurance to the afflicted that the wicked will not go unpunished.