How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.

LAMENTATIONS 4:1KJV
Know the Bible

Lamentations 4:1 (KJV)

What does Lamentations 4:1 mean?

Lamentations 4:1 describes the shocking decline of Jerusalem’s glory, comparing the city’s former splendor to gold that has become dull and the precious stones of the temple scattered in the streets. The verse mourns how what was once most valuable and sacred has been ruined and dishonored.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking, grieving over the destruction of Jerusalem after the Babylonian conquest. He uses the image of gold losing its shine and the sanctuary’s stones being thrown out to show how deeply the city’s beauty and holiness have been lost. This verse sets a tone of sorrow and astonishment at how far things have fallen.

The Hebrew behind Lamentations 4:1

  • "gold" (זָהָב, zahav): This word refers to literal gold, a symbol of great value and purity. Its mention highlights how something once precious has lost its worth.
  • "dim" (יֶעְוָה, ye‘wah): This word means to become dull or tarnished. The verse uses it to express how Jerusalem’s glory is not just lessened but deeply marred.
  • "sanctuary" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word means something holy or set apart, here referring to the temple. Its stones being "poured out" shows the desecration of what was most sacred.
  • "out" (שָׁפַךְ, shafakh): This word means to pour out or scatter. It emphasizes the violence and disgrace of the temple’s destruction, with its stones thrown into the streets.

Why Lamentations 4:1 matters

  • Lamentations 4:1 clears up that the verse is not just about physical destruction but about the loss of spiritual and communal identity, using powerful images of gold and the temple.
  • The verse emphasizes the depth of Jerusalem’s fall, showing that even what was thought untouchable—the sanctuary—has been defiled.
  • This verse connects to the wider theme of Lamentations, which is a heartfelt mourning over the consequences of national disaster and the loss of what was once held most dear.

Where else these words appear

“dim” Hebrew H6004 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezekiel 28:3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
  • Ezekiel 31:8 The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.

“changed” Hebrew H8132 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:29 And changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life.
  • Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

“gold” Hebrew H3800 · used in 9 verses

  • Job 28:16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
  • Job 31:24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;
  • Song of Solomon 5:11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

“out” Hebrew H8210 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
  • Job 30:16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
  • Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;