Lamentations 1:12

KJV

¶ [Is it] nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted [me] in the day of his fierce anger.

KJV (with Strong's)

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass {H5674} by {H1870}? behold {H5027}, and see {H7200} if there be {H3426} any sorrow {H4341} like unto my sorrow {H4341}, which is done {H5953} unto me, wherewith the LORD {H3068} hath afflicted {H3013} me in the day {H3117} of his fierce {H2740} anger {H639}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"May it not happen to you, all you passers-by! Just look, and see if there is any pain like the pain inflicted on me, which ADONAI made me suffer on the day of his blazing anger.

Berean Standard Bible

Is this nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look around and see! Is there any sorrow like mine, which was inflicted on me, which the LORD made me suffer on the day of His fierce anger?

American Standard Version

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is brought upon me, Wherewith Jehovah hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 1:12 captures the profound and unparalleled anguish of Jerusalem, personified as a desolate woman, who desperately appeals to all who witness her ruin. It is a heart-wrenching cry for empathy, asserting that her suffering is unique in its intensity and directly inflicted by the LORD as a consequence of His righteous judgment, experienced in the full fury of His anger. This verse serves as a poignant expression of a city's desolation, inviting onlookers to truly perceive and acknowledge the depth of its divinely ordained sorrow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 1:12 is situated within the first chapter of the Book of Lamentations, which primarily features Jerusalem personified as a grieving widow or queen, abandoned and desolate, speaking in the first person. This particular verse is a direct address from the suffering city to any and all "passersby," inviting them to observe her plight. It follows vivid descriptions of her utter desolation, including her adversaries triumphing and her children led away captive, setting the stage for this desperate appeal for recognition of her unique pain. The immediate verses portray a city stripped bare of its glory and inhabitants, highlighting the depth of her distress. The entire book is a series of laments, expressing profound grief, confession of sin, and, ultimately, a glimmer of hope in God's steadfast love, a theme that emerges more fully in [Lamentations 3](/lamentations/3 "Lamentations 3 - The Lord's Faithfulness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations serves as a profound poetic response to the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC by the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. This devastating event, meticulously recorded in historical accounts such as [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Capture of Jerusalem"), marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and initiated the Babylonian exile. Jerusalem, once the glorious capital, the spiritual heart of the nation, and the dwelling place of God's presence, was reduced to rubble, its walls broken, its inhabitants slaughtered, exiled, or enslaved. The "passersby" (Hebrew: `ʻâbar derek`, meaning "those who cross the road") would have included merchants, travelers, and perhaps even the victorious Babylonian soldiers, all witnessing the unprecedented devastation of a city once thought impregnable due to its divine protection. Culturally, lamentation was a recognized and vital form of expressing grief, both individually and communally, often involving public displays of sorrow, tearing of clothes, and appeals to God for justice or mercy, reflecting a deep theological understanding of suffering in relation to divine covenant.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 1:12 powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book. Firstly, it underscores the **unparalleled sorrow** of Jerusalem, a grief so profound that it claims to be unmatched by any other. This hyperbolic expression emphasizes the depth of her suffering, a direct consequence of the city's fall and the exile of its people. Secondly, the verse explicitly attributes this suffering to **divine judgment**: "wherewith the LORD hath afflicted [me] in the day of his fierce anger." This acknowledges that the catastrophe was not merely a random act of war but a righteous and just punishment from God for Judah's persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and social injustice, as prophesied by Jeremiah and other prophets (e.g., [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon") and [Ezekiel 8](/ekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Idolatry in the Temple")). This theme of divine wrath, while severe, is always rooted in God's holiness and His covenant with His people, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to justice. Lastly, the opening rhetorical question, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?", functions as a desperate **call for empathy** and attention. It challenges the indifference of onlookers, demanding that they truly see and feel the depth of the city's pain, thereby inviting compassion and recognition of the gravity of the situation, a plea that resonates with the later prophetic calls for justice and mercy found in texts like [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sorrow (Hebrew, _makʼôb'_):** This term (H4341) denotes deep anguish, pain, or grief, often encompassing both physical and emotional distress. In Lamentations 1:12, its repetition ("sorrow like unto my sorrow") intensifies the feeling of an unprecedented, unique agony. It speaks to a suffering that penetrates the very core of one's being, a profound and pervasive ache that defines the city's present state of desolation.
* **afflicted (Hebrew, _yâgâh'_):** Derived from a primitive root (H3013), this word means "to grieve," "to cause grief," or "to vex." Its use here, "wherewith the LORD hath afflicted [me]," directly attributes the pain and suffering to God's active hand. It's not merely a passive experience of sorrow but an active imposition of grief by the divine, underscoring the theological conviction that Jerusalem's calamity was a deliberate act of divine judgment.
* **fierce (Hebrew, _chârôwn'_):** This word (H2740), often found in conjunction with `ʼaph` (anger, nose/nostril, from which breath of anger issues), signifies a "burning of anger," "sore displeasure," or "fury." When applied to God, as in "fierce anger," it conveys the intensity and righteous indignation of His wrath. It indicates that the affliction was not light or arbitrary, but a severe and just outpouring of divine displeasure against sin, a "day" (H3117, `yôwm`) marked by the full force of God's holy wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, a direct and desperate appeal from personified Jerusalem to anyone witnessing her devastation. It challenges the observer's indifference, demanding attention and empathy. The phrase "pass by" (H5674 `ʻâbar` and H1870 `derek`) refers to those traveling along the road, implying that Jerusalem's ruin is a public spectacle, impossible to ignore, yet perhaps easily dismissed by the unfeeling. The question implicitly asks for recognition of her humanity and the gravity of her plight.
* **"behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow":** This clause intensifies the plea, inviting a close, discerning examination (H5027 `nâbaṭ` and H7200 `râʼâh`) of her condition. The repetition of "sorrow" (H4341 `makʼôb`) and the comparative "like unto my sorrow" emphasize the unique and unparalleled nature of her pain. It is a claim that her suffering is singular, unmatched by any other human or communal experience, a hyperbole that underscores the overwhelming depth of her despair.
* **"which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted [me] in the day of his fierce anger.":** This final clause provides the theological explanation for Jerusalem's extraordinary suffering. It explicitly states that this sorrow is "done unto me" (H5953 `ʻâlal`, to effect thoroughly, maltreat) and, crucially, "wherewith the LORD (H3068 `Yᵉhôvâh`) hath afflicted [me]" (H3013 `yâgâh`). This is not random misfortune but a direct, intentional act of divine judgment. The phrase "in the day of his fierce anger" (H3117 `yôwm` H2740 `chârôwn` H639 `ʼaph`) highlights the specific time and the intense, righteous wrath of God (H3068 `Yᵉhôvâh`) as the source of this devastating affliction, linking Jerusalem's suffering directly to her covenant unfaithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 1:12 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message of profound grief and divine judgment. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the city of Jerusalem is depicted as a suffering woman, crying out and appealing to passersby. This makes her anguish relatable and immediate, allowing the reader to empathize with a ruined city as if it were a living, sentient being experiencing personal pain. The opening, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?", is a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, designed not for a literal answer but to provoke thought, challenge indifference, and underscore the speaker's desperate need for recognition and empathy from those who observe her plight. Furthermore, the declaration "if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow" utilizes **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration that emphasizes the perceived uniqueness and overwhelming magnitude of Jerusalem's suffering. This serves to impress upon the audience the unprecedented nature of the calamity and the depth of the city's despair, highlighting that her pain is beyond ordinary comparison.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 1:12 stands as a stark testament to the biblical principle that God's covenant people are not immune to judgment when they persistently rebel against His commands. The "fierce anger" of the LORD is not capricious but a righteous response to generations of idolatry, injustice, and rejection of prophetic warnings. This verse powerfully illustrates the severe consequences of sin, demonstrating that God's holiness demands accountability, even from those He has chosen. Yet, within this cry of anguish lies an implicit theological truth: the very act of lamenting to God, even in accusation, acknowledges His sovereignty and His role in their suffering, thereby opening a pathway for repentance and eventual restoration. The unparalleled sorrow described also points to the unique relationship between God and Israel, where their covenantal failures brought about a unique form of divine discipline, distinct in its intensity and public display.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 53:3-4](/isaiah/53-3-4 "Isaiah 53:3-4 - The Suffering Servant")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Sin Revealed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 1:12 invites us to confront the reality of profound suffering, both personal and communal, and to consider our response to it. The cry "Is it nothing to you?" challenges our often-present indifference to the pain of others, urging us to cultivate genuine empathy and active compassion. It reminds us that suffering, especially that which stems from the consequences of sin, is a serious matter that demands our attention, not our dismissal. For believers, this verse also serves as a somber reminder of the gravity of sin and the holiness of God, whose righteous anger is a just response to rebellion against His perfect will. Yet, even in the midst of such a lament, there is a call to look beyond the immediate pain to the sovereign hand of God, acknowledging that even divine discipline is ultimately purposed for restoration and righteousness. It prompts us to examine our own lives and communities for areas of spiritual complacency or disobedience that might invite God's corrective hand, while also fostering a compassionate heart for those who are hurting, recognizing that our ultimate hope lies in God's mercy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "unparalleled sorrow" of Jerusalem in this verse challenge my own understanding of suffering, both personal and corporate?**
* **In what ways might I be a "passerby" in my own life, ignoring or minimizing the pain of others around me?**
* **What does "the day of his fierce anger" reveal about God's character, and how does this truth shape my view of sin and its consequences?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of deeper empathy and active compassion for those experiencing profound grief or hardship, even when their suffering might be a result of their own choices?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "passersby" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "passersby" (Hebrew: `ʻâbar derek`, literally "those who cross the road") refer to anyone traveling along the roads that once led into or around Jerusalem. These would have included merchants, traders, and ordinary travelers. Critically, they also represent any onlookers, including the victorious Babylonian soldiers, who would have witnessed the utter devastation of the city. The rhetorical question "Is it nothing to you?" is a desperate plea from personified Jerusalem, challenging the indifference of those who might observe her ruin without truly comprehending or empathizing with the immense sorrow she experiences. It highlights the public and undeniable nature of the city's destruction, making it a universal appeal for compassion.

**Why does the verse explicitly state that the LORD "afflicted" Jerusalem with this sorrow?**

Answer: The explicit statement that "the LORD hath afflicted [me] in the day of his fierce anger" is crucial for understanding the theological perspective of Lamentations. It signifies that Jerusalem's destruction was not a random act of war or mere misfortune, but a direct, intentional act of divine judgment. Throughout the prophetic books, God warned Israel that persistent disobedience and idolatry would lead to severe consequences, including exile and the destruction of their capital (e.g., [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). By attributing the affliction to the LORD's "fierce anger," the text emphasizes God's holiness, His justice, and His covenant faithfulness, even in His corrective discipline. It underscores the gravity of Israel's sin and God's righteous response to it, affirming His sovereignty over historical events.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 1:12, with its agonizing cry of unparalleled sorrow and divinely inflicted suffering, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Jerusalem lamented a unique pain, so too did Christ experience a suffering beyond human comprehension, bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and the "fierce anger" of God on the cross. The rhetorical question, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?", echoes across the centuries to the crowds who witnessed Jesus' crucifixion, many of whom were indifferent or hostile to His agony. His cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), resonates with the desolation expressed by Jerusalem, yet surpasses it in scope and purpose. For Christ's suffering was not for His own sin, but as the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), He became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")), absorbing the divine wrath that we justly deserved. His affliction was indeed unique, for no other could bridge the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, offering a perfect sacrifice that once for all atoned for sin ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). Therefore, the "sorrow" of Jerusalem, a consequence of sin, foreshadows the infinitely greater, redemptive sorrow of Christ, through which reconciliation and eternal life are made possible for all who believe ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated Through Christ's Death")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 23:28

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

Luke 23:31

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Daniel 9:12

And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

Lamentations 4:6

For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

Lamentations 4:11

The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

Jeremiah 30:24

The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done [it], and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.

Jeremiah 18:16

To make their land desolate, [and] a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.