King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
Complete Jewish Bible:
When anyone tramples underfoot any of the prisoners of the land;
Berean Standard Bible:
To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land,
American Standard Version:
To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
To crush{H1792} under his feet{H7272} all the prisoners{H615} of the earth{H776},
Cross-References (KJV):
Zechariah 9:11
- As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein [is] no water.
Zechariah 9:12
- ¶ Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare [that] I will render double unto thee;
Isaiah 51:22
- Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God [that] pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, [even] the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:
Isaiah 51:23
- But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
Psalms 102:20
- To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
Isaiah 49:9
- That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that [are] in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures [shall be] in all high places.
Jeremiah 51:33
- For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon [is] like a threshingfloor, [it is] time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.
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Commentary for Lamentations 3:34
Lamentations 3:34, "To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth," is part of the larger book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. This verse reflects the profound suffering and sense of divine judgment that permeates the book. Lamentations is a collection of poetic laments concerning the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE by the Babylonians, an event that resulted in the exile of many Jews.
The historical context of this verse is the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest, where the people of Judah experienced the full weight of military defeat and subjugation. The verse itself speaks to the harsh reality of oppression, where the conqueror dominates the defeated with impunity. The imagery of crushing prisoners underfoot is a powerful depiction of the total control and humiliation inflicted upon the captives. It evokes the sense of hopelessness and despair that comes with being utterly overpowered by an enemy.
Thematically, Lamentations 3:34 touches on the themes of divine judgment, human suffering, and the consequences of sin. It reflects a time when the people of Judah were grappling with the realization that their disobedience to God's laws had led to their downfall. The verse can also be understood in the broader context of the book's theological wrestling with the perceived absence of God in the midst of suffering. While the verse describes the actions of the oppressor, it also serves as a poignant expression of the depths to which a people can fall when they are estranged from their God.
In summary, Lamentations 3:34 encapsulates the profound sorrow and injustice experienced by the people of Judah during their captivity. It reflects the physical and psychological brutality of conquest, as well as the spiritual crisis that arises when a community faces the consequences of their collective actions, all within the framework of their understanding of God's role in their history and suffering.
*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: H1792
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּכָא
Transliteration: dâkâʼ
Pronunciation: daw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root (compare דָּכָה); to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively); beat to pieces, break (in pieces), bruise, contrite, crush, destroy, humble, oppress, smite. - Strong's Number: H7272
There are 232 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֶגֶל
Transliteration: regel
Pronunciation: reh'-gel
Description: from רָגַל; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda; [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. - Strong's Number: H615
There are 188 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָסִיר
Transliteration: ʼâçîyr
Pronunciation: aw-sere'
Description: from אָסַר; bound, i.e. a captive; (those which are) bound, prisoner. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.