But now their appearance is blacker than soot;
Now they are darker than soot, unrecognized, and shriveled upon their bones.
This verse shows the bodily undoing of former glory.
1How the gold has become tarnished, 2How the precious sons of Zion, 3Even jackals offer their breasts 4The nursing infant’s tongue 5Those who once ate delicacies 6The punishment of the daughter of my people 7Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, 8But now their appearance is blacker than soot; 9Those slain by the sword are better off 10The hands of compassionate women 11The LORD has exhausted His wrath; 12The kings of the earth did not believe, 13But this was for the sins of her prophets 14They wandered blind in the streets, 15“Go away! Unclean!” 16The presence of the LORD has scattered them; 17All the while our eyes were failing 18They stalked our every step, 19Those who chased us were swifter 20The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, 21So rejoice and be glad, O Daughter of Edom, 22O Daughter of Zion, your punishment is complete;