Lamentations 5 18

Lamentations 5:18 kjv

Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

Lamentations 5:18 nkjv

Because of Mount Zion which is desolate, With foxes walking about on it.

Lamentations 5:18 niv

for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it.

Lamentations 5:18 esv

for Mount Zion which lies desolate; jackals prowl over it.

Lamentations 5:18 nlt

For Jerusalem is empty and desolate,
a place haunted by jackals.

Lamentations 5 verses

Lamentations 5 18 Meaning

Lamentations 5:18 vividly portrays the absolute devastation and ruin that has befallen Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion. The verse highlights the profound desolation by picturing foxes, typically wild and scavenger animals, freely roaming the holy grounds that were once vibrant with human and spiritual activity. This imagery signifies the complete abandonment, the depth of divine judgment, and the tragic loss of the city's glory and security.

Lamentations 5 18 Context

Lamentations chapter 5 is a communal prayer and plea to God, expressing the collective suffering and humiliation of the Jewish people following the Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem in 586/587 BC. Unlike the preceding chapters, which often recount sorrow from the perspective of an individual or the personified city, Chapter 5 articulates the grievances and wretchedness of the entire nation. They recount their plundered inheritance, enslaved status, hunger, defiled women, persecuted elders, and absence of joy, all stemming from their sins (Lam 5:16). Verse 18 starkly portrays the extent of this devastation by focusing on Mount Zion, the heart of Jerusalem and the site of the Temple. The city, once considered invulnerable and sacred, lies in ruins, a profound symbol of divine judgment and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies warning of exile and desolation for disobedience. The presence of foxes on Zion emphasizes its transformation into a wilderness, utterly abandoned and profaned.

Lamentations 5 18 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, ki): This conjunction serves to introduce a reason or explanation, tying the described desolation directly to the deep distress and sickness of heart mentioned in the preceding verse (Lamentations 5:17). It provides the concrete imagery that underpins the depth of their suffering.
• the mountain of Zion (הַר־צִיּוֹן, har Tziyon):
  • Har (הַר) means "mountain" or "hill." Here it refers specifically to the Temple Mount, the most sacred part of Jerusalem, where the First Temple stood.
  • Tziyon (צִיּוֹן) is Zion, a significant name for Jerusalem, often used poetically to represent the city, its people, and the divine dwelling place (Psalm 74:2, Isaiah 2:3). Its mention emphasizes the tragic profanation of what was once considered holy ground and a symbol of God's presence and covenant.
• which is desolate (שֶׁשָּׁמֵם, sheshameym): The root verb is shamem (שָׁמֵם), meaning "to be desolate, laid waste, appalled, stunned." It conveys not just physical ruin but a sense of emptiness, abandonment, and utter devastation, creating an impression of shocking stillness where life and glory once thrived. This describes a continuous state, indicating long-lasting effects of the destruction.
• with foxes (שׁוּעָלִים, shu'alim): Plural of shu'al (שֻׁעָל), meaning "fox" or "jackal." These animals are commonly found in desolate, uninhabited areas, foraging among ruins. Their presence symbolizes total abandonment, decay, and the encroachment of wilderness into what was once a highly organized and populated city. The imagery profoundly highlights the extent to which human habitation has ceased and wild nature has reclaimed the once holy space.
• walking on it (הִלְּכוּ־בוֹ, hillekhu-vo):
  • Hillekhu is the Hebrew verb for "they walked" or "they roamed." This implies unhindered, unchecked movement.
  • Bo means "in it" or "on it," referring to Mount Zion. This signifies that the foxes now have free reign over sacred territory, illustrating the ultimate profanation and the complete absence of any human presence to deter them. This visual indicates the reversal of order – what was guarded and cherished is now open and occupied by scavengers.

Words-group analysis:

• "the mountain of Zion, which is desolate": This phrase encapsulates the central tragedy. The once majestic and divine city, a bastion of security and faith, is reduced to an abandoned, awe-inspiring ruin. The holiness of Zion stands in stark contrast to its present desolate state, amplifying the sense of loss and divine abandonment.
• "with foxes walking on it": This is the climax of the desolation. It paints an intensely pathetic picture. Foxes, being solitary, opportunistic scavengers, occupying the holiest site imaginable, speaks volumes about the utter ruin. It suggests not only physical destruction but also the defilement and dishonor of the sacred, representing a world turned upside down. The freedom of these creatures indicates no human life or protection left.

Lamentations 5 18 Bonus section

• The use of foxes/jackals (often used interchangeably in the Bible depending on translation and specific species) to depict desolation and ruin is a recurring motif in prophetic literature. Their presence implies that human habitation has completely ceased, turning a thriving city into a wasteland.
• The profound shame associated with this image is multi-layered. For Zion, the city of the Great King (Psalm 48:2), to be overrun by scavengers, indicated a complete breakdown of covenant blessings and a stark reminder of the curses pronounced for disobedience. It was not merely physical destruction but a symbolic overturning of order and holiness.
• The verse serves as a powerful testament to the fulfillment of prophecies given centuries earlier concerning the consequences of Judah's idolatry and injustice. Prophets like Jeremiah himself had warned of such destruction, which makes this lament even more heart-wrenching as it reflects the bitter reality of those warnings.
• The imagery of wild animals occupying sacred or cultivated spaces implies not only human absence but also the reversal of God's blessing of fruitfulness and order over the land (e.g., Genesis 1:28; Leviticus 26:6).

Lamentations 5 18 Commentary

Lamentations 5:18 offers a poignant and shocking image of Jerusalem's post-destruction state. It epitomizes the profound desolation that follows God's severe judgment on His people due to their sustained disobedience and rebellion. The choice of "foxes walking" on Mount Zion is not incidental; these are not domestic animals but symbols of decay and unchecked wildness, often found in ruins. This specific detail conveys the complete abandonment of the holy site by human life and, seemingly, by divine protection.

The verse emphasizes the absolute profanation of sacred space. Mount Zion, meant to be the dwelling place of God and the heart of Israelite worship, is now so utterly deserted and degraded that wild animals freely roam its ruins. This stark visual serves to underline the depth of national humiliation and sorrow. It signifies the removal of divine favor and the catastrophic consequences of turning away from the Lord. It highlights the stark contrast between what Zion once was—a symbol of glory, protection, and God's presence—and its tragic present as a wilderness inhabited by creatures of ruin. This verse perfectly encapsulates the deep grief and desperate hope of the exiles: a lament for what was lost, an acknowledgment of divine wrath, and an implicit plea for the Lord to remember them and restore His holy city.