Lamentations 4:7-9

Her Nazarites were purer than snow It seems the word, נזיריה, ought not to be translated here Nazarites, or those who were separated by a vow to God; but princes, or chief men: so Waterland understands the word, as also Blaney, who renders it, her nobles. We find the same term applied to Joseph, as one separated, or distinguished in eminence and dignity above his brethren, Genesis 49:26. By being purer than snow, and whiter than milk, seems to be intended the whiteness of their skin, or the fairness of their complexion; and by their being more ruddy in body than rubies, or brighter than pearls, as אדמו מפנינים, may be rendered, their high state of health may be meant. Their visage is blacker than a coal The famine, and other hardships which they have endured, have altered their complexion, and made them look dry and withered. They that be slain with the sword are better, &c. That is, their case is preferable to that of those slain with hunger; for these pine away, &c. That is, they waste away and perish by slow degrees, and, before they quite expire, suffer great misery. Stricken through for want of the fruits of the field Pierced with far more exquisite pain through want of sustenance, than if they had been run through with the sword.