Lam 4:20 | NETfull | STEP | Our very life breath – the Lord ’s anointed king – was caught in their traps, of whom we thought, “Under his protection we will survive among the nations.”

Lamentations 4:20

ר (Resh)

20 Our very life breath – the Lord’s anointed king ^{▼▼ Heb “the anointed one of the Lord.” The term “king” is added in the translation to clarify the referent of the phrase “the Lord’s anointed.”} –
was caught in their traps, ^{▼▼ Heb “was captured in their pits.”}
of whom we thought, ^{▼▼ Heb “of whom we had said.”}
“Under his protection ^{▼▼ Heb “under his shadow.” The term צֵל (tsel, “shadow”) is used figuratively here to refer the source of protection from military enemies. In the same way that the shade of a tree gives physical relief and protection from the heat of the sun (e.g., Judg 9:15; Job 40:22; Ps 80:11; Song 2:3; Ezek 17:23; 31:6, 12, 17; Hos 4:13; 14:8; Jon 4:5, 6), a faithful and powerful king can provide “shade” (= protection) from enemies and military attack (Num 14:19; Ps 91:1; Isa 30:2, 3; 49:2; 51:16; Jer 48:45; Lam 4:20).} we will survive among the nations.”