The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

LAMENTATIONS 4:20KJV
truelightbible.com

Lamentations 4:20 (KJV)

What does Lamentations 4:20 mean?

Lamentations 4:20 describes how the people of Jerusalem saw their king—the "anointed of the LORD"—as their very life and protection, but he was captured by their enemies, leaving them vulnerable and scattered among foreign nations. The verse mourns the loss of their leader, whom they believed would shelter them even in exile.

The speaker is likely the prophet Jeremiah, expressing the collective grief of Jerusalem after its fall to Babylon. The "breath of our nostrils" refers to the king, probably Zedekiah, who was seen as essential to the nation's survival. The verse paints a picture of deep despair: the people had hoped to survive under their king's "shadow" even among the "heathen" (foreign nations), but his capture dashed those hopes.

The Hebrew behind Lamentations 4:20

  • "breath" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word often means "spirit" or "life-breath." Calling the king the "breath of our nostrils" shows how vital he was to the people's sense of life and hope.
  • "anointed" (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiach): This term means "anointed one" and refers to the king as God's chosen leader. It highlights the special role the king played in God's plan for Israel.
  • "shadow" (צֵל, tzel): In Hebrew poetry, "shadow" often means protection or refuge. The people believed they would find safety under the king's care, even in exile.
  • "heathen" (גּוֹיִם, goyim): This word means "nations" or "peoples," usually referring to non-Israelite nations. The verse emphasizes the sorrow of having to live among foreigners without their king's protection.

Why Lamentations 4:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the people's hope was not just in their city or temple, but in their God-appointed king, whose loss felt like losing the very breath of life.
  • It highlights the deep sense of vulnerability and abandonment the people felt after Jerusalem's fall, showing how much they depended on their leader for security.
  • The verse connects to the wider theme of Lamentations: the devastation of exile and the shattering of everything the people thought would keep them safe, including their king.