The Poetic Use of Parallelism and the Syntax of Distress in Lamentations 4:4

Introduction to Lamentations 4:4

Lamentations 4:4 presents a vivid depiction of suffering during the siege of Jerusalem, emphasizing the plight of infants and children who lack food and water. The verse uses parallelism—a fundamental feature of Hebrew poetry—to contrast physical thirst and hunger, intensifying the emotional impact.

This passage consists of two parallel clauses:

1. The first clause describes a thirsty infant, whose tongue clings to the roof of its mouth.
2. The second clause portrays hungry children asking for bread, but no one gives it to them.

This study will analyze the syntax of distress in this verse, the function of parallelism in poetic lament, and the theological implications of suffering in biblical literature.

דָּבַ֨ק לְשֹׁ֥ון יֹונֵ֛ק אֶל־חִכֹּ֖ו בַּצָּמָ֑א עֹֽולָלִים֙ שָׁ֣אֲלוּ לֶ֔חֶם פֹּרֵ֖שׂ אֵ֥ין לָהֶֽם׃ ס

Analysis of Key Words/Phrases

1. דָּבַ֨ק לְשֹׁ֥ון יֹונֵ֛ק אֶל־חִכֹּ֖ו (davak leshon yoneq el-ḥikko)
   • Root: דָּבַק (“to cling, stick”)
   • Form: Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular
   • Translation: “The tongue of the infant clings to the roof of his mouth”
   • Function: Describes the effects of extreme thirst, emphasizing the suffering of infants.
2. בַּצָּמָ֑א (batzama)
   • Root: צָמָא (“thirst”)
   • Form: Noun in the construct state with the preposition בְּ (“in”)
   • Translation: “Because of thirst”
   • Function: Explains the cause of the infant’s suffering.
3. עֹֽולָלִים֙ שָׁ֣אֲלוּ לֶ֔חֶם (‘olalim sha’alu leḥem)
   • Root: שָׁאַל (“to ask, request”), לֶחֶם (“bread”)
   • Form: Qal perfect 3rd masculine plural
   • Translation: “The young children ask for bread”
   • Function: Describes the hunger of children who are seeking food.
4. פֹּרֵ֖שׂ אֵ֥ין לָהֶֽם (poreis ein lahem)
   • Root: פָּרַשׂ (“to distribute, spread”)
   • Form: Qal participle masculine singular
   • Translation: “No one spreads it to them”
   • Function: Expresses despair by indicating that no one provides food to the children.

Explanation of Grammatical Function

The Use of Qal Perfect Verbs to Express Completed Suffering

דָּבַ֨ק (“clung”) and שָׁ֣אֲלוּ (“asked”) → Indicate past completed actions, portraying suffering that has already occurred and continues.

Perfect aspect reinforces the sense of irreversible devastation.

The Parallel Structure of Thirst and Hunger

First clause: Thirst (דָּבַק לְשֹׁ֥ון יֹונֵ֛ק)

Second clause: Hunger (שָׁ֣אֲלוּ לֶ֔חֶם)

Both depict helpless children suffering from deprivation.

The Use of פֹּרֵ֖שׂ (“One Who Distributes”) as a Participial Absence

פֹּרֵ֖שׂ אֵ֥ין (“No one spreads it”) → A participle in an absent context, meaning “there is no one to give bread.”

Emphasizes complete abandonment—there are no caregivers left to help the children.

Theological Implications of Suffering in Lamentations

1. The Impact of Judgment on the InnocentThe suffering of infants symbolizes the total collapse of Jerusalem.
2. The Loss of Covenant BlessingsDeprivation of bread and water mirrors the curses of Deuteronomy 28.
3. The Absence of Compassion“No one spreads it to them” → The societal collapse includes the breakdown of human compassion.

The Role of Poetic Parallelism in Expressing Distress

Lamentations 4:4 employs parallelism to intensify suffering, using Qal perfect verbs to describe completed devastation and a participial absence to highlight neglect. The contrast between thirst and hunger creates a multi-layered image of distress, reinforcing the theological themes of divine judgment and abandonment.

Thus, this verse serves as both a poetic lament and a theological reflection on the consequences of national disobedience.