Lamentations 1:14

KJV

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, [and] come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into [their] hands, [from whom] I am not able to rise up.

KJV (with Strong's)

The yoke {H5923} of my transgressions {H6588} is bound {H8244} by his hand {H3027}: they are wreathed {H8276}, and come up {H5927} upon my neck {H6677}: he hath made my strength {H3581} to fall {H3782}, the Lord {H136} hath delivered {H5414} me into their hands {H3027}, from whom I am not able {H3201} to rise up {H6965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"My sins have been bound into a yoke, knit together by his hand. It weighs down on my neck, and it saps my strength. Adonai has put me into the power of those I cannot withstand.

Berean Standard Bible

My transgressions are bound into a yoke, knit together by His hand; they are draped over my neck, and the Lord has broken my strength. He has delivered me into the hands of those I cannot withstand.

American Standard Version

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand; They are knit together, they are come up upon my neck; he hath made my strength to fail: The Lord hath delivered me into their hands, against whom I am not able to stand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 1:14 is a poignant confession from personified Jerusalem, acknowledging that the crushing burden of her suffering is a direct consequence of her own transgressions. The verse vividly portrays sin as an inescapable "yoke" tightly bound and wreathed around her neck, leading to a complete collapse of strength. It attributes this devastating state not to random misfortune, but to the sovereign hand of the Lord, who has delivered her into the hands of her enemies, leaving her utterly helpless and unable to recover. This profound lament underscores the severe and binding nature of sin and the righteous judgment of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 1:14 is situated within the initial chapter of the book of Lamentations, which opens with a deeply mournful acrostic poem (each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, though 1:14 is not part of the acrostic sequence in this chapter, the overall structure is acrostic). This chapter introduces Jerusalem, often personified as "Zion" or a desolate widow, weeping bitterly over her utter destruction and abandonment. The preceding verses describe her former glory contrasted with her present humiliation, the departure of her allies, and the suffering of her children. Verse 14 marks a crucial turning point, as the lament shifts from merely describing external suffering to an internal acknowledgment of guilt. It is a confession that the overwhelming calamity is not arbitrary but a direct result of the nation's "transgressions." This confession sets the stage for the subsequent laments, which continue to express profound grief while wrestling with the justice and mercy of God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, written in the aftermath of the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army in 586 BC. This event marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah, the razing of the temple, and the forced exile of its people. For ancient Israel, the land and the temple were central to their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Their defeat and exile were understood not merely as a military loss but as a direct consequence of their persistent idolatry and disobedience to the Mosaic covenant, as prophesied repeatedly by prophets like Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Exile")). The "yoke" metaphor was a common agricultural image, signifying servitude, burden, or oppression, often used to describe the subjugation of one nation by another or the burden of slavery. Here, it is powerfully applied to the internal burden of sin, indicating that the nation's spiritual rebellion had led to their physical and political bondage.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 1:14 powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout the book. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, asserting that the overwhelming suffering is not random but orchestrated by God ("bound by his hand," "the Lord hath delivered me"). This underscores the biblical principle that God is just and faithful to His covenant, even in judgment (see [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Burden and Consequences of Sin**, portraying transgressions as a heavy, inescapable "yoke" that leads to debilitation and ruin. This aligns with the broader biblical understanding that sin brings death and bondage (e.g., [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Thirdly, it expresses **Helplessness and Despair** in the face of overwhelming judgment, as Jerusalem declares herself "not able to rise up." This profound sense of inability to self-deliver is a recurring motif in Lamentations, reflecting the utter devastation experienced by the people. Lastly, it contains a crucial element of **Confession of Guilt**, acknowledging that the nation's downfall was a direct result of their own "transgressions," a vital step towards repentance and restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **yoke (Hebrew, _ʻôl'_):** This term (H5923) refers to a wooden beam placed over the necks of draft animals, symbolizing servitude, burden, or oppression. In this context, it is a powerful metaphor for the heavy, binding, and inescapable burden that Jerusalem's "transgressions" have become, weighing her down and preventing freedom.
* **transgressions (Hebrew, _peshaʻ'_):** This word (H6588) denotes a revolt, rebellion, or trespass against a covenant or authority. It signifies a deliberate act of breaking faith with God, highlighting the intentional nature of Israel's disobedience that led to their current plight. It is not merely a mistake but an act of defiance.
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây'_):** An emphatic form (H136) used as a proper name of God, emphasizing His supreme authority and mastership. The use of "Adonai" here underscores that the binding of the yoke and the delivery into enemy hands are not random occurrences but direct, sovereign acts of a powerful and just God, who is in control even amidst judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the central metaphor: sin is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible, oppressive burden. The "yoke" signifies servitude and the heavy weight of consequences. The phrase "bound by his hand" is crucial; it attributes the binding of this yoke directly to God's sovereign action, indicating that the suffering is a divine judgment, not an arbitrary misfortune.
* **"they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck:"** The imagery intensifies here. "Wreathed" (from a root meaning to intertwine or twist) suggests that the transgressions are not just a simple burden but are intricately wrapped around Jerusalem, making escape impossible. The "neck" is the point of bearing a yoke, emphasizing the direct and suffocating pressure of sin's consequences, which are now inescapable and deeply personal.
* **"he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into [their] hands,"** This clause further elaborates on the devastating impact of the "yoke of transgressions." The divine agent ("he," referring to God) has actively caused Jerusalem's strength to collapse, rendering her utterly weak and powerless. The repetition of "the Lord" (Adonai) reinforces the divine initiative: God Himself has "delivered" Jerusalem into the hands of her enemies, confirming that the Babylonian conquest was an instrument of divine judgment.
* **"[from whom] I am not able to rise up."** The verse concludes with a declaration of absolute helplessness. The consequences of sin and God's judgment have left Jerusalem so utterly broken and defeated that she lacks any capacity to recover, resist, or escape her predicament. This expresses profound despair and the complete inability of human effort to reverse a divinely ordained consequence.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 1:14 is rich with literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Personification**, where Jerusalem is portrayed as a suffering woman, speaking in the first person ("my transgressions," "my neck," "my strength"). This allows for a deeply personal and empathetic expression of the city's devastation. The central device is a powerful **Metaphor**: "The yoke of my transgressions." This agricultural image vividly conveys the oppressive, binding, and burdensome nature of sin, transforming an abstract concept into a tangible, crushing weight. The verb "wreathed" further develops this metaphor, implying an intricate, inescapable entanglement. The phrase "he hath made my strength to fall" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the complete and utter debilitation, while the concluding "not able to rise up" reinforces this sense of absolute helplessness. The verse also employs stark **Imagery** of a bound neck and fallen strength, painting a vivid picture of the city's profound distress and the crushing weight of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 1:14 stands as a stark theological declaration concerning the nature of sin and divine justice. It unequivocally asserts that human suffering, particularly on a national scale, can be a direct consequence of disobedience to God's covenant. The verse powerfully illustrates that sin is not a light matter but carries a heavy, binding burden that saps strength and leads to utter helplessness. It underscores God's active role in judgment, demonstrating His sovereignty even over the actions of foreign nations, whom He uses as instruments of His righteous will. This passage reminds us that God is holy and just, and while His mercy is vast, He will also hold His people accountable for their rebellion, leading to profound consequences that human strength alone cannot overcome.

* [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - Yoke of Iron for Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 5:18](/isaiah/5-18 "Isaiah 5:18 - Drawing Iniquity with Cords of Vanity")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 1:14 offers a sobering mirror for both individual and corporate introspection. It challenges us to confront the reality that our own "transgressions" can indeed become a heavy, binding yoke, leading to a profound sense of weakness and inability to move forward. This verse compels us to acknowledge God's sovereignty, not just in blessings, but also in the difficult seasons of life, recognizing that even suffering can be permitted or orchestrated by His hand as a consequence of unaddressed sin or a call to repentance. Rather than simply blaming external circumstances, this passage invites humility and a willingness to examine our own hearts and actions. It reminds us that true strength and freedom are not found in self-reliance, but in acknowledging our utter helplessness before God and seeking His deliverance. This confession of guilt, though painful, is the essential first step towards genuine repentance and the hope of restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "yokes of transgression" might I be carrying in my own life, and how are they impacting my strength and freedom?**
* **In what ways have I attributed difficult circumstances to random chance rather than considering God's hand or the consequences of my own actions?**
* **How does the confession of helplessness in this verse challenge my tendency towards self-reliance or pride?**
* **What specific steps can I take to confess and repent of any "transgressions" that may be binding me?**

### FAQ

**Does God cause suffering, or just allow it?**

Answer: Lamentations 1:14 states, "The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand... the Lord hath delivered me into [their] hands." This verse, along with many others in the Old Testament (e.g., [Amos 3:6](/amos/3-6 "Amos 3:6 - Disaster in a City from the Lord")), indicates that God is sovereign over all events, including those that bring suffering. While God is never the author of evil or sin, He can and does use the consequences of sin, or even the actions of wicked nations, as instruments of His righteous judgment, discipline, or to fulfill His purposes. In the context of Lamentations, the suffering of Jerusalem was understood as a direct, divinely ordained consequence of the nation's persistent rebellion and covenant unfaithfulness. So, it's not merely passive allowance, but an active, purposeful delivery into the consequences of sin, demonstrating His justice and holiness.

**What does "wreathed" mean in this context?**

Answer: The word "wreathed" (Hebrew: *śārag*) means to intertwine, twist, or braid together. In Lamentations 1:14, when it says the transgressions "are wreathed, and come up upon my neck," it intensifies the metaphor of the "yoke." It suggests that the sins are not just a simple burden placed upon Jerusalem but are intricately twisted and bound around her, making them inescapable and deeply embedded. This imagery conveys a sense of suffocation, entrapment, and the profound, complex entanglement of sin's consequences, from which there is no easy disentanglement or escape.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 1:14 paints a vivid picture of humanity's desperate plight under the "yoke of transgressions," utterly bound and unable to rise. This profound confession of helplessness finds its ultimate answer and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament consistently reveals that humanity, enslaved by sin, lacks the strength to free itself or stand before a holy God (as seen in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Yet, Jesus came precisely to break this oppressive yoke. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full weight of our transgressions on the cross, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God (as proclaimed in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Where Jerusalem's strength failed, Christ's strength prevailed over sin, death, and the grave ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). He offers a radically different "yoke," inviting those who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and in Him, we will find rest for our souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Christ's Easy Yoke")). Through His resurrection, He empowers us to "rise up" from the bondage of sin and live a new life, no longer enslaved but made free in Him ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")).

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

Isaiah 47:6

I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

Deuteronomy 28:48

Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all [things]: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

Jeremiah 28:14

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.

Ezekiel 25:4

Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.

Proverbs 5:22

His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

Ezekiel 25:7

Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD.

Jeremiah 25:9

Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.