4:1 How the gold has grown dim This verse begins with the Hebrew word ekhah just like the acrostic laments in 1:1 and 2:1. See note on 1:1.

the pure gold The gold and precious stones metaphorically represent the inhabitants of the city, emphasizing the value of human life and lamenting its loss.

4:2 earthen vessels of clay Easily broken and discarded. The people were more precious than gold, but they were thrown out like broken dishes. Compare Jer 18:6 and Jeremiah’s symbolic action breaking a clay pot in Jer 19:10–11.

4:3 Even the jackal bears the beast Wild animals care for their young, but mothers in Jerusalem are unable to feed their children because there is no food.

the daughter of my people Refers to Jerusalem. See Lam 2:11 and note.

has become ruthless, like ostriches The ostrich is a symbol of a senseless beast that does not care for its young in Job 39:13–18.

4:5 purple A symbol of their wealthy and privileged upbringing. See note on Jer 10:9.

4:6 The iniquity of The Hebrew term here can refer to the sin or the punishment for the sin.

the sin of Sodom The poet laments that Zion’s punishment was harsher than that of Sodom.

4:7 Her princes were purer than snow The metaphor means they were in good health and handsome.

4:8 their appearance is blacker than soot A darkened face was an image of poor health due to famine (see Lam 5:10; compare Job 30:28).

4:9 the victims of the sword Better to have died in battle, since it was quick, than to die slowly of hunger.

4:10 have cooked their children The food shortage caused by siege led people to unthinkable measures of cannibalism to survive. See Lam 2:20; 2 Kgs 6:29; and note on Jer 19:9.

4:11 Yahweh has completed his anger Compare Ezek 5:13.

he has kindled a fire in Zion Reminiscent of Jer 17:27. Fire was a standard image of divine judgment, fulfilled literally when Babylon burned the city and the temple (Jer 52:13). See Jer 21:14 and note.

4:12 could enter into the gates of Jerusalem Referring to the belief that Yahweh would not allow Zion to be taken. A belief grounded in Yahweh’s past deliverance of the city, especially from Assyria in 701 bc. See note on Jer 21:2. Compare Psa 48:1–8; Isa 37:36–38.

4:13 Because of the sins of her prophets Compare Lam 2:20; Jer 5:31. Judah’s religious leaders had led her astray.

blood in her midst, of righteous people Shedding innocent blood was one of the indictments against Judah’s leaders highlighted by Jeremiah. See note on Jer 26:15.

4:15 Go away! Defiled!” they shout to them Treating the leaders as if they were lepers. See Lev 13:45.

4:16 The presence of Yahweh The attention of Yahweh turned toward them in disapproval and judgment (see Lev 26:17; Psa 34:16). See Ezek 14:8 and note.

4:17 a nation that could not save In rebelling against Babylon, Zedekiah had banked heavily on the expectation of Egyptian military aid (see note on Ezek 17:7). The army sent by Egypt was ultimately unable to overcome Babylonian power (Jer 34:21–22; 37:5–10). On Zedekiah, see note on Jer 21:1.

4:19 in the desert When the walls of Jerusalem were breached, Zedekiah fled by night. The Babylonians overtook their party on the plains of Jericho, an open wilderness area a few miles east of Jerusalem. See Jer 39:4–5.

4:20 the anointed one of Yahweh Referring to Zedekiah the king, who was captured by the Babylonians (2 Kgs 25:5–6). See Lam 4:19 and note.

4:21 Edom Judah’s neighbor to the southeast, who escaped destruction in 586 bc, probably by allying with Babylon. See note on Ezek 35:5, and note on Jer 25:21. Edom is singled out for judgment because they gloated over Jerusalem’s downfall (see Obad 10–12; Psa 137:7; Jer 49:7–22).

the land of Uz Its parallel mention with Edom in this verse may indicate that Uz was in the vicinity of Edom, southeast of Israel. See note on Jer 25:20.

but to you also the cup will pass Referring to the cup of Yahweh’s wrath, a metaphor developed in Jer 25:15–29 and applied again to Edom in Jer 49:12. See note on Jer 25:15.