King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He hath led me, and brought [me into] darkness, but not [into] light.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He has led me and made me walk in darkness and not in light.
Berean Standard Bible:
He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light.
American Standard Version:
He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He hath led{H5090} me, and brought{H3212} me into darkness{H2822}, but not into light{H216}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Job 30:26
- When I looked for good, then evil came [unto me]: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
Isaiah 59:9
- ¶ Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, [but] we walk in darkness.
Amos 5:18
- Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end [is] it for you? the day of the LORD [is] darkness, and not light.
Amos 5:20
- [Shall] not the day of the LORD [be] darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
Deuteronomy 28:29
- And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save [thee].
Jeremiah 13:16
- Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, [and] make [it] gross darkness.
Lamentations 2:1
- ¶ How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, [and] cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!
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Commentary for Lamentations 3:2
Lamentations 3:2, "He hath led me, and brought [me into] darkness, but not [into] light," is part of a larger poem found in the book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. This verse reflects the despair and sorrow of the author in the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The historical context is one of deep national tragedy, as the people of Judah faced the consequences of their unfaithfulness to God, which included the loss of their city, temple, and sovereignty.
The theme of this verse is the experience of divine chastisement and the feeling of abandonment by God. The author expresses a sense of being led into darkness, which can be interpreted both literally, as the darkness of captivity and exile, and metaphorically, as the darkness of suffering, confusion, and despair. The phrase "but not [into] light" suggests an ongoing state of affliction without immediate relief or resolution. It speaks to the harsh reality of living through a time of punishment without yet seeing the redemptive purpose behind it.
In the broader context of Lamentations, this verse is part of a communal lament, giving voice to the collective grief of the people. Despite the overwhelming sense of darkness, the book eventually moves towards hope, as seen in the central chapter (Lamentations 3), where the author expresses trust in God's unfailing love and mercy, even in the midst of suffering. The verse, therefore, captures a moment of deep anguish within a larger narrative that wrestles with theodicy—the justice of God—and the enduring faith of His people amidst adversity.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5090
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָהַג
Transliteration: nâhag
Pronunciation: naw-hag'
Description: a primitive root; to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e. impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh; acquaint, bring (away), carry away, drive (away), lead (away, forth), (be) guide, lead (away, forth). - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H2822
There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹשֶׁךְ
Transliteration: chôshek
Pronunciation: kho-shek'
Description: from חָשַׁךְ; the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness; dark(-ness), night, obscurity. - Strong's Number: H216
There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אוֹר
Transliteration: ʼôwr
Pronunciation: ore
Description: from אוֹר; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.); bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun.