Lamentations 2:3

KJV

He hath cut off in [his] fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, [which] devoureth round about.

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath cut off {H1438} in his fierce {H2750} anger {H639} all the horn {H7161} of Israel {H3478}: he hath drawn {H7725} back {H268} his right hand {H3225} from before {H6440} the enemy {H341}, and he burned {H1197} against Jacob {H3290} like a flaming {H3852} fire {H784}, which devoureth {H398} round about {H5439}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In his fierce anger he cut off all the power of Isra'el, withdrew his protecting right hand at the approach of the enemy, and blazed up in Ya'akov like a flaming fire devouring everything around it.

Berean Standard Bible

In fierce anger He has cut off every horn of Israel and withdrawn His right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it.

American Standard Version

He hath cut off in fierce anger all the horn of Israel; He hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy: And he hath burned up Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 2:3 vividly portrays the depth of divine judgment upon Israel, depicting God's deliberate and intense wrath as the cause of the nation's catastrophic downfall. It describes the complete dismantling of Israel's power and protection, likening God's consuming anger to an all-devouring fire that leaves nothing untouched, underscoring the severe consequences of their covenant disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 2:3 is situated within the second lament, which focuses on the Lord's direct role in the destruction of Jerusalem. Chapter 1 mourned the city's desolation, personifying Jerusalem as a weeping widow. Chapter 2 shifts the focus explicitly to God's active hand in bringing about the calamity, detailing the severity of His judgment. Verses preceding verse 3 describe how the Lord has "swallowed up" Israel's dwellings and strongholds, and "cast down" the nation's glory, setting the stage for the specific imagery of the "cut off horn" and the withdrawn "right hand." This verse intensifies the portrayal of God's wrath, leading into further descriptions of the Temple's desecration and the suffering of the people in subsequent verses, such as [Lamentations 2:4](/lamentations/2-4 "Lamentations 2:4 - God's Bent Bow Against Judah"). The entire chapter emphasizes that the suffering is not random but a direct, deserved consequence of sin, orchestrated by a just God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Lamentations is the Babylonian conquest of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC. This event marked the end of the Davidic monarchy and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. Culturally, the "horn" was a common symbol of strength, power, and dignity in the ancient Near East, often associated with kings, nations, or even deities, much like the strength of a bull's horn. The concept of God's "right hand" was a pervasive anthropomorphism, signifying His active power, protection, and intervention in human affairs, as seen in the Exodus narrative where God's "strong hand" delivered Israel from Egypt ([Exodus 13:3](/exodus/13-3 "Exodus 13:3 - God's Strong Hand in the Exodus")). The destruction by "flaming fire" evokes images of divine judgment and purification, familiar from other biblical accounts of God's wrath against sin, such as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah ([Genesis 19:24](/genesis/19-24 "Genesis 19:24 - Fire and Brimstone on Sodom")). The desolation described in Lamentations was a stark fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), which warned of national ruin for disobedience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Lamentations and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, emphasizing that God is not a passive observer but the active orchestrator of Israel's calamity, exercising His just wrath against persistent sin. This underscores His absolute control over nations and history. Secondly, it explores the theme of **Loss and Desolation**, particularly the profound loss of national strength, dignity, and divine protection, symbolized by the "cut off horn" and the withdrawn "right hand." This imagery conveys the utter vulnerability and helplessness of a people whose God has turned against them. Thirdly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Consequences of Disobedience**, serving as a stark reminder that covenant unfaithfulness inevitably leads to severe divine discipline. This aligns with prophetic warnings throughout the Old Testament, such as those delivered by Jeremiah himself, who consistently called Israel to repentance before the impending judgment ([Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7-1 "Jeremiah 7:1-15 - Jeremiah's Temple Sermon")). The "flaming fire" imagery further emphasizes the consuming nature of God's righteous anger, a divine response to deep-seated rebellion and idolatry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cut off (Hebrew, _gâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root signifies to fell a tree or generally to destroy anything. Here, it powerfully conveys the complete and deliberate dismantling of Israel's strength and identity, not merely a weakening but a decisive severance. It implies a violent and irreversible act of destruction, emphasizing the finality of God's judgment on Israel's national might.
* **fierce anger (Hebrew, _chŏrîy'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to burn," this term denotes an intense, burning anger. It underscores the righteous indignation and consuming wrath of God, indicating that the judgment was not arbitrary but rooted in divine justice in response to Israel's prolonged rebellion and idolatry. This is not a fleeting emotion but a profound, settled displeasure.
* **burned (Hebrew, _bâʻar'_):** This verb means to kindle or consume by fire. When applied to Jacob, it vividly portrays the devastating and pervasive nature of God's judgment, likening it to an all-consuming fire that leaves nothing untouched. It signifies a judgment that is both pervasive and destructive, consuming the very fabric of the nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel":** This opening clause immediately attributes the catastrophic destruction to God's deliberate action. The "horn" symbolizes Israel's strength, power, dignity, and national sovereignty. Its "cutting off" signifies the complete obliteration of their might and status, a direct consequence of God's intense, righteous wrath, which is explicitly stated as the driving force behind this act.
* **"he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy":** This powerful anthropomorphism illustrates God's intentional withdrawal of His protective presence and active intervention. The "right hand" typically represents divine power, blessing, and defense. By retracting it, God leaves His people utterly vulnerable to their adversaries, emphasizing that their defeat was not merely due to the enemy's strength but to God's sovereign decision to remove His shield, thereby allowing the enemy to prevail.
* **"and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about":** This vivid simile underscores the consuming and inescapable nature of God's judgment. "Jacob" here refers to the nation of Israel. The comparison to a "flaming fire" that "devoureth round about" conveys the totality and intensity of the devastation, leaving no part untouched and signifying a judgment that is both pervasive and destructive, consuming the nation from every direction.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 2:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its somber message. **Metaphor** is central, particularly in "all the horn of Israel," where the "horn" symbolizes the nation's strength, dignity, and sovereignty. Its "cutting off" is a metaphor for the complete destruction and humiliation of Israel's national power. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in "he hath drawn back his right hand," attributing human actions (drawing back a hand) to God to describe His deliberate withdrawal of protection. This device makes God's actions more relatable and impactful. Finally, a vivid **Simile** is used: "he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about." This comparison emphasizes the consuming, pervasive, and inescapable nature of God's judgment, painting a picture of total devastation. These devices combine to create a potent image of divine wrath and its devastating consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 2:3 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth of God's justice and holiness, revealing that His divine patience has limits when faced with persistent rebellion. The verse underscores that God is not merely a benevolent provider but also a righteous judge who holds His covenant people accountable. It challenges any notion of automatic divine protection irrespective of obedience, demonstrating that God's hand of blessing can become a hand of judgment when His people stray from His ways. This passage serves as a stark reminder that while God is merciful and slow to anger, His wrath is real and consuming when His holiness is continually affronted by sin and idolatry. It highlights the severity of breaking covenant with a holy God.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Psalm 78:58-60](/psalm/78-58 "Psalm 78:58-60 - God's Anger and Abandonment of Shiloh")
* [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Prophecy of Babylonian Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 2:3, though a somber depiction of God's judgment on ancient Israel, carries profound and timeless lessons for believers today. It calls us to a deep reverence for God's holiness and a serious understanding of the consequences of sin. While we live under the New Covenant of grace, this verse reminds us that God remains just and righteous, and that spiritual apathy or deliberate disobedience can lead to severe spiritual consequences, even if not in the same national, physical devastation. It compels us to examine our own lives: are we living in alignment with God's will, or are we, like Israel, allowing sin to erode our spiritual strength and invite His displeasure? This passage should foster a profound sense of humility and dependence, recognizing that our true strength and protection come solely from God's sustaining hand. When we neglect Him, we become vulnerable. It urges us to cultivate a life of genuine repentance, obedience, and unwavering trust in His sovereign plan, understanding that His discipline, though painful, is ultimately redemptive, aimed at drawing us closer to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on my own "horn" (strength, resources, reputation) instead of God's power and protection?**
* **How does the imagery of God's "fierce anger" and "flaming fire" shape my understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **What specific actions can I take to ensure I am not "drawing back" from God, but rather drawing near to Him in obedience and dependence?**
* **How does this verse challenge my assumptions about God's unconditional blessing, and what does it teach me about the importance of covenant faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**What does "the horn of Israel" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: In biblical and ancient Near Eastern cultures, the "horn" (Hebrew: _qeren_) is a powerful symbol of strength, power, dignity, and national sovereignty, much like the strength of a bull. When the verse states that God "cut off... all the horn of Israel," it symbolizes the complete dismantling and destruction of Israel's national might, independence, and pride. It means that God utterly stripped them of their power and left them humiliated and defenseless before their enemies. This imagery underscores the totality of their defeat and the loss of their former glory, as seen in other passages that speak of God exalting or breaking the horn of His people ([Psalm 75:10](/psalm/75-10 "Psalm 75:10 - God Breaks the Horns of the Wicked")).

**Why is God's anger described as "flaming fire" that "devoureth round about"?**

Answer: The description of God's anger as a "flaming fire" (Hebrew: _lehâbâh_ and _ʼêsh_) that "devoureth round about" (Hebrew: _çâbîyb_) is a vivid simile emphasizing the consuming, pervasive, and inescapable nature of divine judgment. Fire in the Bible often symbolizes God's holiness, purification, and wrath. Here, it conveys an anger so intense that it utterly consumes everything in its path, leaving no part of the nation untouched. It signifies a judgment that is both total and relentless, demonstrating the severity of God's response to Israel's deep-seated rebellion and idolatry, leaving them utterly desolate from every direction ([Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Our God is a Consuming Fire")).

**Does this verse mean God abandoned His people forever?**

Answer: While Lamentations 2:3 depicts a severe and active judgment where God seemingly withdraws His protection, it does not imply a permanent abandonment of His covenant people. The Book of Lamentations itself, though filled with sorrow, also contains glimmers of hope and appeals to God's mercy, particularly in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Mercies are New Every Morning"), which speaks of the Lord's unfailing mercies. This judgment was a form of divine discipline, intended to bring Israel to repentance and ultimately to restore them, as prophesied by Jeremiah and fulfilled in the return from exile. God's covenant promises to Israel are eternal, and even in their darkest hour, His ultimate faithfulness remains, though His methods of discipline can be severe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 2:3, with its stark depiction of God's consuming wrath against Israel's sin, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "fierce anger" and "flaming fire" that "devoureth round about" against Jacob (Israel) highlights the absolute holiness of God and the severity of sin, which demands a righteous judgment. However, in Christ, this divine wrath, which humanity justly deserved, was fully absorbed. The ultimate "cutting off" and vulnerability was experienced by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") on the cross, who became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). God did not "draw back His right hand" from His Son, but rather poured out His full judgment upon Him, so that believers might never face such wrath. Through Christ's sacrifice, the "horn" of our strength is not cut off, but rather, we are given a new, eternal strength in Him ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")). The consuming fire of God's judgment is transformed for believers into the refining fire of His love and presence, purifying rather than destroying. Thus, Lamentations 2:3, while a testament to God's justice, ultimately points to the profound mercy and substitutionary atonement found in Jesus, who bore the full brunt of divine wrath so that we might experience reconciliation and eternal life ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-9 - God's Love and Deliverance from Wrath")).

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

Psalms 74:11

Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck [it] out of thy bosom.

Psalms 75:10

All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; [but] the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

Isaiah 42:25

Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid [it] not to heart.

Psalms 75:5

Lift not up your horn on high: speak [not with] a stiff neck.

Jeremiah 48:25

The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

Psalms 89:46

How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

Psalms 79:5

How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?