Lamentations 3:55 (KJV)

What does Lamentations 3:55 mean?

Lamentations 3:55 describes someone calling out to the LORD from a place of deep distress, described as a “low dungeon.” The verse shows a moment of desperate prayer, reaching out to God from a situation that feels hopeless and confining.

The speaker in Lamentations 3:55 is traditionally understood to be Jeremiah, expressing his own suffering or representing the suffering of Jerusalem after its destruction. The “low dungeon” suggests a literal or figurative pit, emphasizing how far the speaker feels from help or hope. This verse highlights the act of turning to God even from the darkest, most desperate places.

The Hebrew behind Lamentations 3:55

• “Called” (קָרָא, qara’): This word means to cry out, call, or summon. In this context, it emphasizes an urgent plea for help, not just a casual mention.
• “Name” (שֵׁם, shem): Referring to God’s name here means calling on God’s character and authority, not just saying a word. It shows a personal and direct appeal to God.
• “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting a relationship rather than a distant deity.
• “Low” (תַּחְתִּיּוֹן, takhtiyyon): This word means “lowest” or “bottommost,” stressing the depth of the speaker’s trouble.
• “Dungeon” (בּוֹר, bor): This word often means a pit or cistern, sometimes used as a prison or place of abandonment. It paints a vivid picture of isolation and helplessness.

Why Lamentations 3:55 matters

• Lamentations 3:55 clarifies that even from the lowest and darkest places, it is possible to reach out to God, showing that prayer is not limited by circumstance.
• The verse connects personal suffering to the larger story of Jerusalem’s fall, giving voice to both individual and communal pain.
• By using strong words for depth and confinement, the verse emphasizes just how desperate the situation was, making the act of calling out to God even more striking.