Lamentations 3:29

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Let him submit absolutely; there may yet be hope.

Berean Standard Bible:

Let him bury his face in the dust— perhaps there is still hope.

American Standard Version:

Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

He putteth^{H5414} his mouth^{H6310} in the dust^{H6083}; if so be there may be^{H3426} hope^{H8615}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Lamentations 3:29

Lamentations 3:29, "He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope," is part of the larger poetic book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. The book expresses deep sorrow and mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. This particular verse captures the depth of the speaker's humility and despair, as putting one's mouth in the dust is a sign of deep submission or mourning in ancient Near Eastern culture.

The broader context of Lamentations 3 is a communal lament, with the speaker recounting personal and national suffering. The themes of the verse include humility, repentance, and a glimmer of hope amidst suffering. Despite the overwhelming sense of loss and the acknowledgment of divine judgment for the people's sins, there is an underlying belief that hope can be found through humble submission to God. The act of lowering oneself to the dust symbolizes the people's recognition of their lowly state and their complete reliance on God's mercy for any prospect of restoration and redemption.

In the historical context, this verse reflects the attitude of the Israelites after the fall of Jerusalem, as they grappled with the consequences of their disobedience to God's laws. The destruction of their city and the exile of its inhabitants were seen as the fulfillment of prophetic warnings. Yet, even in the midst of this dire situation, the verse suggests that there is still room for hope if the people turn to God in genuine repentance and humility, looking to Him for deliverance and a future restoration.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6310
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּה
   Transliteration: peh
   Pronunciation: peh
   Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6083
   There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָפָר
   Transliteration: ʻâphâr
   Pronunciation: aw-fawr'
   Description: from עָפַר; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud; ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3426
   There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יֵשׁ
   Transliteration: yêsh
   Pronunciation: yaysh
   Description: perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist; entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive verb (הָיָה); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection); (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8615
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תִּקְוָה
   Transliteration: tiqvâh
   Pronunciation: tik-vaw'
   Description: from קָוָה; (compare קָוֶה); literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy; expectation(-ted), hope, live, thing that I long for.