Lamentations 3:13

KJV

He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath caused the arrows {H1121} of his quiver {H827} to enter {H935} into my reins {H3629}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He has pierced my vital organs with shafts from his quiver.

Berean Standard Bible

He pierced my kidneys with His arrows.

American Standard Version

He hath caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my reins.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:13 vividly portrays the intense, internal suffering of the "man who has seen affliction," understood as Jeremiah representing Judah, by depicting God as an archer whose arrows pierce the deepest parts of his being. This powerful imagery conveys not only the profound physical and emotional anguish experienced during the Babylonian exile and the destruction of Jerusalem but also underscores the clear conviction that this suffering is a direct, sovereign act of divine judgment. The verse encapsulates the overwhelming sense of being targeted and wounded at the very core of one's existence by God's disciplinary hand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3 stands as the emotional and theological heart of the book, shifting from communal lament to a deeply personal expression of suffering, yet still representative of the nation's plight. Unique in its structure, it is an alphabetic acrostic, with each of its 66 verses (22 stanzas of three lines each) beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The "man who has seen affliction" (Lamentations 3:1) is widely interpreted as the prophet Jeremiah, embodying the collective pain and desolation of Judah. Verses 1-18 detail the overwhelming nature of this personal suffering, emphasizing that the affliction is not random but directly from God's hand, using metaphors of a hunter, a bear, and a lion. Verse 13, with its imagery of divine arrows piercing the "reins," intensifies this portrayal of God's active role in the chastisement, leading into a further description of the depth of the man's despair and isolation before the pivotal turn towards hope in [Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - Hope in God's Faithfulness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is a direct response to the catastrophic events of 586 BC, specifically the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian Empire, the razing of the Temple, and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people. This period marked the end of the Davidic monarchy and the loss of national sovereignty, a traumatic experience for a people whose identity was deeply intertwined with their land, city, and temple. Culturally, the ancient Near East understood suffering, especially national calamity, as a consequence of divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. The imagery of God as a warrior or archer, meting out punishment, was a familiar motif in prophetic literature, signifying His righteous indignation against sin. The "reins" (kidneys) were culturally understood as the seat of one's deepest emotions, thoughts, and conscience, making the penetration of arrows into this area a powerful metaphor for profound, internal, and spiritual anguish, not merely physical pain.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, asserting that God is not a passive observer but the active agent behind the nation's suffering, a consequence of their persistent rebellion against His covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Profound Internal Suffering**, demonstrating that the pain inflicted by divine discipline is not superficial but penetrates to the very core of one's being, affecting the soul, emotions, and inner vitality, a concept echoed in [Psalm 7:9](/psalms/7-9 "Psalm 7:9 - God Tests the Heart and Reins"). Thirdly, the verse implicitly points to the **Consequences of Disobedience**, as the "arrows" are understood within the broader narrative of Lamentations as the deserved outcome of Judah's idolatry and unfaithfulness, serving as a stark warning and a call to repentance (cf. [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **arrows (Hebrew, _bên'_):** While _bên_ primarily means "son" or "child," in this context (H1121), it is used idiomatically to refer to "arrows." This usage emphasizes the idea of something being "built" or "produced" by the archer, here God, as instruments of His will. These are not random projectiles but specifically crafted and directed instruments of divine action, highlighting the intentionality and precision of the judgment.
* **quiver (Hebrew, _ʼashpâh'_):** This term (H827) refers to a case for holding arrows, often associated with a warrior or hunter. Its presence here reinforces the imagery of God as an equipped archer, ready and able to deploy His instruments of judgment. The quiver implies a readiness and an abundance of means for divine chastisement, signifying that the affliction is not a single, isolated event but part of a larger, deliberate divine strategy.
* **enter (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** This primitive root (H935) means "to go or come" and carries a wide range of applications, including "to enter" or "to come upon." In Lamentations 3:13, its use emphasizes the direct, penetrating, and unavoidable nature of the affliction. The arrows do not merely graze or wound superficially; they "enter," signifying a deep, internal impact that reaches the very essence of the sufferer.
* **reins (Hebrew, _kilyâh'_):** Literally referring to the "kidneys" (H3629), this term holds profound metaphorical significance in ancient Hebrew thought. The kidneys, along with the heart, were considered the seat of one's innermost being—the emotions, conscience, deepest thoughts, and moral character. Thus, for arrows to "enter into my reins" signifies a wound that reaches beyond the physical, affecting the very core of one's spiritual, emotional, and psychological identity. It implies a pain that tests, purifies, or even exposes the hidden motives and true state of the inner person.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath caused the arrows of his quiver":** This clause immediately establishes the divine agent of suffering. The pronoun "He" refers to God, indicating that the affliction is not random misfortune but a deliberate act of divine will. The "arrows of his quiver" are a powerful **metaphor** for instruments of divine judgment or severe affliction. The imagery of a quiver suggests readiness, intention, and an ample supply of means for God to execute His purposes, whether in judgment or discipline. It underscores God's active involvement and sovereignty over the suffering experienced.
* **"to enter into my reins":** This phrase describes the profound depth and internal nature of the suffering. The verb "to enter" emphasizes a deep penetration, not a superficial wound. "My reins" (Hebrew: _kilyâh_) metaphorically refers to the kidneys, which in ancient Hebrew thought were considered the seat of one's innermost being, emotions, and conscience. Therefore, the arrows are depicted as piercing the very core of the individual's spiritual and emotional life, causing an agonizing, existential pain that reaches beyond the physical to the soul. This highlights the comprehensive and devastating impact of God's judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:13 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of profound suffering and divine agency. The most prominent device is **Metaphor**, where "arrows of his quiver" are used to represent the instruments of God's judgment or severe affliction. This transforms an abstract concept of divine discipline into a concrete, visceral image of being wounded. Closely related is **Personification**, as God is depicted as an archer actively aiming and firing these arrows, emphasizing His direct and intentional involvement in the suffering. The phrase "to enter into my reins" employs powerful **Symbolism**, as the "reins" (kidneys) symbolize the deepest internal essence of a person—their emotions, conscience, and innermost thoughts. The penetration of these arrows into such a vital, symbolic organ conveys an extreme, soul-deep anguish, which borders on **Hyperbole** to express the overwhelming and all-consuming nature of the pain. This vivid imagery creates a strong emotional impact, conveying the absolute devastation felt by the lamenter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:13 is a stark reminder of God's absolute sovereignty, extending even to the experience of suffering. It challenges a superficial understanding of divine benevolence, asserting that God, in His righteousness, can and does use affliction as a means of discipline or judgment. This verse underscores the biblical truth that suffering is not always arbitrary but can be a direct consequence of sin, intended to bring about repentance and purification. The depth of the pain described—penetrating the "reins"—speaks to God's thoroughness in dealing with the human heart, exposing hidden sin and testing the very core of one's faith. While difficult, this perspective ultimately points to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even if it means severe chastisement to restore His people to Himself.

* [Psalm 7:9](/psalms/7-9 "Psalm 7:9 - God Tests the Heart and Reins")
* [Job 6:4](/job/6-4 "Job 6:4 - For the arrows of the Almighty are within me")
* [Hebrews 12:5-6](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-6 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:13, though depicting a harrowing experience of divine judgment, offers profound insights for believers navigating suffering today. It compels us to acknowledge God's sovereign hand in all circumstances, even when that hand feels heavy and painful. Rather than attributing hardship solely to random chance or external forces, this verse invites us to consider the possibility of divine discipline, prompting humble self-examination and a turning towards God. Understanding that God's "arrows" can pierce the "reins" validates the experience of deep, internal, and often unseen suffering—emotional, spiritual, and psychological anguish that goes beyond physical pain. It reminds us that God sees and understands the full extent of our inner turmoil. This recognition can lead to a more honest and vulnerable prayer life, where we bring our deepest wounds before the One who knows us intimately. While the immediate context is one of judgment, the broader context of Lamentations 3, particularly the pivot to hope in God's unfailing mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23), encourages us to endure with a perspective of ultimate redemption. Even in the midst of the most severe trials, God's purpose is always redemptive, aiming to refine our character and draw us closer to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God's "arrows" entering one's "reins" challenge or deepen your understanding of divine discipline and suffering?**
* **In what ways have you experienced "internal" suffering that felt like it pierced the very core of your being? How did you respond?**
* **How can acknowledging God's sovereignty over affliction, even when painful, lead to a more profound trust in His character and purposes?**
* **Considering the broader context of Lamentations 3, how does the hope found in later verses (e.g., [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Mercies Never End")) inform your understanding of God's ultimate intentions even when His discipline is severe?**

### FAQ
**What does "reins" mean in the Bible, particularly in Lamentations 3:13?**

Answer: In biblical Hebrew, the word translated "reins" (Hebrew: _kilyâh_) literally refers to the kidneys. However, in ancient Israelite thought, the kidneys were not merely physical organs but were understood metaphorically as the seat of one's deepest emotions, conscience, innermost thoughts, and moral character. Therefore, when Lamentations 3:13 speaks of God's arrows entering the "reins," it signifies a wound that is not merely physical but penetrates to the very core of the individual's spiritual, emotional, and psychological being. It implies a profound, internal anguish that affects one's vitality and inner self, often associated with divine scrutiny or judgment, as seen in other passages like [Psalm 7:9](/psalms/7-9 "Psalm 7:9 - God Tests the Heart and Reins") where God "tests the hearts and reins."

**Does Lamentations 3:13 imply that God directly causes all suffering?**

Answer: Lamentations 3:13, within its immediate context, strongly emphasizes God's direct agency in the suffering experienced by the "man of affliction" (Jeremiah, representing Judah). The imagery of God as an archer whose arrows pierce the lamenter's "reins" clearly attributes the pain to a divine source. This reflects a theological conviction prevalent in the Old Testament that national calamities and personal hardships, especially those resulting from covenant unfaithfulness, were often seen as expressions of divine judgment or discipline. While the Bible also acknowledges suffering from other sources (e.g., human sin, natural consequences, spiritual warfare), this verse specifically highlights God's sovereign hand in bringing about affliction for His purposes, which often include purification, repentance, and drawing His people back to Himself (cf. [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline for His Children")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:13, with its stark depiction of divine arrows piercing the "reins" of the afflicted, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the prophet laments the just judgment on Judah for their sin, Christ, the innocent Lamb of God, willingly subjected Himself to the full weight of God's wrath against the sins of humanity. On the cross, Jesus became the ultimate "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Man of Sorrows")), experiencing not merely external suffering but a soul-deep agony that pierced His "reins" in a way no human could fully comprehend. The "arrows of his quiver" that should have been aimed at us for our transgressions were instead poured out upon Him ([Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God Sent His Own Son")), as He bore the full spiritual and emotional desolation of separation from the Father ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?")). Through His suffering, which penetrated to the very core of His being, Jesus absorbed the divine judgment, offering healing for our own pierced "reins" and providing a path to reconciliation and peace with God ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, the lament of the prophet, though expressing deserved judgment, foreshadows the undeserved suffering of Christ, who transforms the arrows of judgment into the means of our salvation and eternal hope.

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

Job 6:4

For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

Deuteronomy 32:23

I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.

Job 41:28

The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.