Lamentations 3:65 (KJV)

What does Lamentations 3:65 mean?

Lamentations 3:65 is a plea asking God to give the enemies of Jerusalem deep inner sorrow and to place His curse upon them. The verse expresses a desire for those who have caused suffering to experience distress in their hearts as a form of divine judgment.

In this verse, the speaker is likely Jeremiah, voicing the pain of the people of Jerusalem after the destruction of the city by Babylon. The request for "sorrow of heart" and a "curse" reflects the depth of grief and the longing for justice against those responsible for their suffering. The verse is part of a larger prayer where Jeremiah asks God to see the affliction of His people and respond to their oppressors.

The Hebrew behind Lamentations 3:65

• "Give" (נָתַן, natan): This word carries the sense of actively granting or delivering something, showing that the speaker is directly asking God to bring about this consequence.
• "Sorrow" (מְגִנַּת, meginnah): This term points to a deep, overwhelming grief or distress, not just a passing sadness. It highlights the intensity of the suffering being requested for the enemies.
• "Heart" (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of one's inner life, emotions, and thoughts. Asking for sorrow "of heart" means wishing for distress that touches the core of a person.
• "Curse" (מְאֵרָה, me'erah): This word refers to a spoken or enacted judgment from God, not just a wish for bad things but a call for divine action against wrongdoers.

Why Lamentations 3:65 matters

• Lamentations 3:65 shows the raw honesty of biblical prayers, where even calls for judgment are voiced directly to God rather than acted out by people.
• The verse highlights the seriousness of the suffering experienced by Jerusalem, helping readers understand the emotional and spiritual devastation after the city's fall.
• This plea connects to the larger theme of Lamentations, where the pain of loss is brought before God, and justice is sought through Him rather than personal revenge.