Lamentations 1:15

KJV

The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty [men] in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, [as] in a winepress.

KJV (with Strong's)

The Lord {H136} hath trodden under foot {H5541} all my mighty {H47} men in the midst {H7130} of me: he hath called {H7121} an assembly {H4150} against me to crush {H7665} my young men {H970}: the Lord {H136} hath trodden {H1869} the virgin {H1330}, the daughter {H1323} of Judah {H3063}, as in a winepress {H1660}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"All the strong men within my walls Adonai has rejected. He has set a specific time for crushing my young men. Adonai has trodden, like grapes in a winepress, the virgin daughter of Y'hudah.

Berean Standard Bible

The Lord has rejected all the mighty men in my midst; He has summoned an army against me to crush my young warriors. Like grapes in a winepress, the Lord has trampled the Virgin Daughter of Judah.

American Standard Version

The Lord hath set at nought all my mighty men in the midst of me; He hath called a solemn assembly against me to crush my young men: The Lord hath trodden as in a winepress the virgin daughter of Judah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 1:15 vividly portrays the comprehensive and violent judgment of God upon Jerusalem, personified as the "daughter of Judah." The verse asserts the Lord's direct agency in the catastrophe, depicting Him as the one who has "trodden under foot" the city's military strength and future generations, and crushed the city itself "as in a winepress." This powerful imagery underscores the divine origin of Judah's suffering, highlighting the intensity of God's righteous wrath poured out due to covenant unfaithfulness and the inescapable consequences of rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 1:15 is deeply embedded within the opening chapter of a book dedicated entirely to the lament over Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC. Chapter 1 establishes the desolate state of the city, personifying it as a weeping widow or a forsaken "Daughter Zion." The preceding verses detail her abandonment by allies, the taunts of her enemies, and her profound sorrow, explicitly acknowledging that her suffering is a direct consequence of her numerous transgressions. Verse 15 intensifies this narrative by explicitly attributing the devastation to the Lord's active hand, moving from a general description of distress to a direct and forceful declaration of divine judgment. This sets a crucial theological foundation for the subsequent chapters, which continue to grapple with the meaning of this unprecedented national catastrophe.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations was composed in the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem under King Nebuchadnezzar, a cataclysmic event that included the razing of the First Temple, the city walls, and the forced deportation of its inhabitants into Babylonian Exile. For ancient Israel, Jerusalem was not merely a political capital; it was the sacred city, the dwelling place of Yahweh's presence, and the very heart of their covenant identity. Its destruction represented an unparalleled theological crisis, forcing the survivors to confront the implications of God's justice, their own sin, and the conditional nature of the covenant promises. The agricultural imagery of "treading in a winepress" was a common and easily understood practice in ancient Israel, where grapes were crushed underfoot to extract their juice. This metaphor would have immediately conveyed a sense of violent, thorough, and often bloody destruction to the original audience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to Lamentations and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it emphatically declares **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, asserting that God is not a passive observer but the active orchestrator of Judah's calamity, fulfilling His covenant curses against disobedience, as detailed in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Secondly, the imagery conveys **Utter Devastation and Humiliation**, demonstrating that no aspect of Judah's strength—neither its "mighty men" (warriors) nor its "young men" (the nation's future)—could withstand the Lord's wrath. The "winepress" metaphor vividly portrays the **Intensity of God's Wrath**, a powerful theme echoed in other prophetic warnings, such as [Isaiah 63:3](/isaiah/63-3 "Isaiah 63:3 - God's Vengeance and the Winepress"). Finally, the personification of Jerusalem as "the virgin, the daughter of Judah" underscores the tragic fall from a state of cherished purity and privilege to one of brutal violation and profound shame, encapsulating the deep **Sorrow and Loss** experienced by the survivors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây'_):** This term (H136) is an emphatic form of the Hebrew word for "Lord" or "Master," used here as a proper name for God. Its repetition within the verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and authority, emphasizing that the destruction is not a random misfortune or solely the work of human armies, but a deliberate act of divine judgment executed by the supreme ruler of the cosmos. It highlights that the covenant Lord Himself, who once protected His people, has now become their adversary due to their profound unfaithfulness.
* **trodden (Hebrew, _dârak'_):** This primitive root (H1869) means "to tread," "to walk," "to thresh," or "to string a bow (by treading on it)." In this context, especially with the accompanying imagery of the winepress, it powerfully conveys a forceful, destructive, and overwhelming action, like trampling underfoot. The repetition of this verb emphasizes the thoroughness, violence, and subjugation inherent in the judgment. It implies the complete crushing and humiliation of the opponent, leaving them utterly defeated and powerless.
* **winepress (Hebrew, _gath'_):** This term (H1660) refers to the vat or trough where grapes were crushed by foot to extract their juice. As a metaphor in this verse, it vividly portrays the intense, bloody, and painful nature of God's wrath. Just as grapes are mercilessly crushed to yield their wine, so too Judah is being crushed, her very lifeblood—her people, her strength, her future—flowing out in a torrent of destruction and suffering. The imagery suggests a process that is both brutal and complete, leaving nothing intact.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty [men] in the midst of me:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine agency behind the catastrophe. "The Lord" (Adonai) is the active subject, indicating that the destruction is not merely a military defeat but a direct act of divine judgment. "Trodden under foot" signifies complete subjugation, humiliation, and utter defeat. "All my mighty men" refers to Judah's warriors, her military strength, indicating that her defenses and protectors have been rendered utterly powerless, crushed within the very heart of the city.
* **"he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men:"** This clause further elaborates on the Lord's active and intentional role. "He hath called an assembly" suggests a divinely ordained gathering, implying that the Babylonian army, though human agents, were summoned by God for His specific purpose of judgment. The word for "assembly" (mo'ed) can denote an appointed time or meeting, reinforcing the idea of a deliberate, pre-ordained divine appointment for destruction. The target, "my young men," represents the future generation, the hope and vitality of the nation, whose crushing signifies the decimation of Judah's future and its very lifeblood.
* **"the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, [as] in a winepress."** This final clause provides the most striking and visceral imagery, reiterating God's direct involvement with "the Lord hath trodden." "The virgin, the daughter of Judah" is a powerful personification of Jerusalem, often depicted as a pure, undefiled maiden, now subjected to brutal violation and despoilment. This stark contrast emphasizes the horrific nature of her fall. The phrase "as in a winepress" serves as a vivid **simile**, comparing the crushing of Jerusalem and its people to the violent, bloody process of treading grapes. It conveys the intensity, pain, and thoroughness of the divine wrath poured out, leaving the city desolate and its inhabitants utterly broken.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 1:15 is profoundly effective through its use of **Imagery**, painting a visceral picture of destruction through concrete actions and comparisons. The central image is that of a **Winepress**, serving as a potent **Metaphor** for divine wrath and judgment. This metaphor, prevalent in prophetic literature, powerfully conveys the crushing, bloody, and exhaustive nature of God's punishment, where the "juice" (lifeblood) of the nation is extracted through immense suffering. The city of Jerusalem is powerfully presented through **Personification** as "the virgin, the daughter of Judah," a once-pure and esteemed maiden who is now brutally violated and "trodden," emphasizing the profound shame, loss, and desecration she endures. The repetition of "The Lord hath trodden" functions as **Anaphora** and **Emphasis**, underscoring God's direct, undeniable, and sovereign agency in the calamity, leaving no doubt that this is a divinely orchestrated judgment rather than a random misfortune.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 1:15 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's unwavering justice and absolute sovereignty, even in the face of His people's suffering. It asserts that the Lord is not only capable of delivering His people but also of judging them severely when they persist in covenant unfaithfulness. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God's holiness demands a response to sin, and that His covenant promises include both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The terrifying imagery of the winepress, in particular, connects to a broader biblical theme of divine wrath and judgment, where God's righteous anger is poured out upon sin. While terrifying in its portrayal of judgment, it simultaneously affirms God's ultimate control over history and His unwavering commitment to His righteous character, even when it means disciplining His beloved people for their ultimate good and His glory.

* [Isaiah 63:3](/isaiah/63-3 "Isaiah 63:3 - God's Vengeance and the Winepress")
* [Revelation 14:19-20](/revelation/14-19-20 "Revelation 14:19-20 - The Winepress of God's Fierce Wrath")
* [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - God uses Babylon as His instrument of judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 1:15 compels us to confront the gravity of sin and the seriousness of God's judgment. It reminds us that God is not to be trifled with; His holiness and justice are as fundamental to His character as His love and mercy. For us today, this verse serves as a powerful call to humility, repentance, and faithful obedience. It challenges us to examine our own lives, our communities, and our nations, asking if we are living in alignment with God's revealed will and if we are truly valuing His covenant. When we witness suffering or calamity, this passage encourages us to look beyond immediate causes and consider the spiritual dimensions, acknowledging God's sovereignty even in difficult circumstances. It fosters a healthy fear of the Lord, not a paralyzing dread, but a reverent awe that leads to a desire to honor Him in all things, trusting that His ultimate purposes are always just and good, even when His discipline is severe. This profound truth should motivate us to seek reconciliation and walk in integrity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God "treading" His people "as in a winepress" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or corporately, be "treading" on God's covenant or commands today, and what might be the spiritual consequences?**
* **How can understanding God's justice in passages like Lamentations 1:15 deepen our appreciation for His mercy and grace, especially as revealed in the New Testament?**

### FAQ
**Why is God depicted as actively destroying His own people in this verse?**

Answer: Lamentations 1:15, like much of the prophetic literature, attributes the destruction of Jerusalem directly to God's agency not because He is arbitrary or cruel, but because He is just and holy. The Israelites had entered into a covenant relationship with God, which included blessings for obedience and severe curses for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). For centuries, they had repeatedly violated this covenant through idolatry, injustice, and rebellion, despite numerous warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. Therefore, the destruction was understood not as a random tragedy or merely a military defeat, but as God's righteous judgment and discipline, fulfilling His covenant warnings. It underscores His sovereignty and His commitment to His own character and word, even when it means disciplining His chosen people. This divine action, though painful, was ultimately intended to bring about repentance and restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 1:15, with its harrowing portrayal of divine judgment and the crushing of a rebellious people, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in Christ undergoing such judgment for His own sin, but in His bearing the full weight of God's wrath for the sins of humanity. While Judah was "trodden... as in a winepress" for its unfaithfulness, Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly entered the ultimate "winepress" of divine wrath on the cross. He became sin for us (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ became sin for us")), enduring the crushing judgment that humanity deserved. The prophet Isaiah foreshadowed this profound substitutionary act when he spoke of the Suffering Servant, declaring, "It was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief" (cf. [Isaiah 53:10](/isaiah/53-10 "Isaiah 53:10 - The Suffering Servant")), a powerful echo of the "treading" imagery. Thus, the terrifying justice depicted in Lamentations 1:15, which once fell upon a rebellious Judah, was fully satisfied in Christ's atoning sacrifice. Through His suffering, we are offered redemption and reconciliation, escaping the very judgment portrayed here because He bore it in our place, demonstrating God's perfect justice and boundless love (cf. [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates His love for us")).

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 63:3

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

Isaiah 28:18

And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

Malachi 4:3

And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do [this], saith the LORD of hosts.

Revelation 19:15

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Luke 21:24

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Revelation 14:19

And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God.