Lamentations 3:15

KJV

He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath filled {H7646} me with bitterness {H4844}, he hath made me drunken {H7301} with wormwood {H3939}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He has filled me with bitterness, sated me with wormwood.

Berean Standard Bible

He has filled me with bitterness; He has intoxicated me with wormwood.

American Standard Version

He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath sated me with wormwood.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:15 is a visceral cry of anguish from the prophet, traditionally Jeremiah, who describes his overwhelming suffering as directly inflicted by God. The imagery of being "filled with bitterness" and "made drunken with wormwood" powerfully conveys a state of profound despair, disorientation, and incapacitation, reflecting the devastating consequences of divine judgment upon Judah. This verse encapsulates the personal experience of national calamity, where the prophet embodies the collective agony of a people facing the bitter fruit of their rebellion against God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3 stands at the structural and emotional heart of the book, shifting from communal laments (chapters 1-2) to a deeply personal one, often attributed to the "man who has seen affliction" ([Lamentations 3:1](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1 - The Man Who Has Seen Affliction")). This chapter is an alphabetic acrostic, with each stanza of three lines beginning with the same Hebrew letter, emphasizing a methodical and exhaustive expression of sorrow. Verse 15 is part of a sustained description of the prophet's suffering, immediately following verses that speak of God's active role in his affliction (e.g., [Lamentations 3:11-14](/lamentations/3-11 "Lamentations 3:11-14 - God's Affliction of the Prophet")). The intensity of the imagery here sets the stage for the pivotal shift towards hope and God's faithfulness later in the chapter ([Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - The Lord's Faithfulness Endures")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is a poetic response to the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Babylonian army in 586 BC, followed by the exile of the Judahite population. This event was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis for Israel, as it challenged their understanding of God's covenant promises and presence. In ancient Near Eastern thought, national calamity was often understood as divine judgment for covenant infidelity. The imagery of "bitterness" and "wormwood" would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the concept of a "cup of wrath" or a "bitter draught" as a metaphor for divine punishment, a theme found frequently in prophetic literature (e.g., [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Wrath")). The prophet's suffering is thus a tangible manifestation of the nation's spiritual and physical desolation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Lamentations and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Overwhelming Nature of Suffering**, portraying it not as a fleeting pain but as a saturating, disorienting experience. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty in Judgment**, firmly attributing the suffering to God's direct action, emphasizing that even in calamity, God remains in control and acts justly. This challenges any notion of random misfortune. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies the **Consequences of Sin and Covenant Disobedience**, presenting the "bitterness" and "wormwood" as the inevitable outcome of Judah's persistent rebellion against the Lord's commands, as outlined in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **filled (Hebrew, _sâbaʻ'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)." Here, it conveys a sense of being completely inundated or saturated with bitterness, not just tasting it but having it fill one's entire being to the point of satiety, suggesting an overwhelming and inescapable experience.
* **bitterness (Hebrew, _mᵉrôr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be bitter," this word refers to a bitter herb or the quality of bitterness itself. It represents intense sorrow, grief, and the harsh, unpalatable reality of suffering. In this context, it is the very essence of the prophet's affliction.
* **made me drunken (Hebrew, _râvâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites); to bathe, make drunk, fill, satiate, satisfy, soak, water (abundantly)." The imagery of being "made drunken" implies a state of disorientation, incapacitation, and loss of control, as if the bitterness has so thoroughly permeated the prophet that it has altered his very perception and ability to function.
* **wormwood (Hebrew, _laʻănâh'_):** From an unused root supposed to mean "to curse," wormwood is a plant known for its extreme bitterness. In biblical literature, it frequently symbolizes divine judgment, calamity, and intense sorrow, often associated with a bitter or poisonous draught. It is a potent symbol of the severe and unpalatable consequences of sin and divine wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath filled me with bitterness":** This clause establishes the source and nature of the prophet's suffering. The "He" refers to God, indicating that the affliction is not accidental but divinely ordained as a consequence of sin. The verb "filled" (sâbaʻ) suggests a complete saturation, an overwhelming experience where bitterness permeates every aspect of the prophet's existence, leaving no room for anything else. This is not a partial taste but a total immersion in sorrow.
* **"he hath made me drunken with wormwood":** This second clause intensifies the imagery of the first, employing a powerful metaphor. To be "made drunken" (râvâh) by wormwood (laʻănâh) implies a state beyond mere pain; it suggests disorientation, loss of control, and a mind clouded by overwhelming sorrow. Wormwood, known for its extreme bitterness and sometimes toxic properties, symbolizes the severity and the repulsive nature of the judgment. The prophet is not just experiencing suffering; he is consumed and incapacitated by it, as if intoxicated by its bitter essence.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:15 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Hyperbole**. The prophet is not literally filled with a bitter substance or made drunk by a plant; these are figurative expressions to convey the overwhelming and disorienting nature of his anguish. The **Metaphor** of being "filled with bitterness" expresses the complete saturation of his being with sorrow, while being "made drunken with wormwood" vividly portrays the incapacitating and disorienting effect of this suffering. The use of **Hyperbole** emphasizes the extreme degree of the prophet's pain, suggesting it is beyond normal human endurance. The verse also employs **Parallelism** in its two clauses ("He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood"), where the second clause reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first, reinforcing the idea of total, divinely-inflicted suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:15 profoundly articulates the biblical concept of divine judgment as a bitter cup that a rebellious people must drink. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty, even over the most devastating calamities, revealing that suffering can be a direct consequence of covenant infidelity. The prophet's personal experience of being "filled" and "made drunken" with bitterness and wormwood reflects the full, unmitigated measure of God's righteous anger against sin. This imagery is not unique to Lamentations but resonates throughout the prophetic tradition, where the "cup of wrath" symbolizes the full outpouring of divine indignation, a testament to God's holiness and justice that cannot tolerate unrepentant sin. Yet, even within this stark portrayal of judgment, the broader context of Lamentations 3 hints at the possibility of hope and divine mercy that endures beyond the bitterest experiences.

* [Jeremiah 9:15](/jeremiah/9-15 "Jeremiah 9:15 - God Feeds Them Wormwood")
* [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Wrath")
* [Revelation 8:11](/revelation/8-11 "Revelation 8:11 - The Star Wormwood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:15 compels us to confront the profound gravity of sin and the reality of divine judgment. While the imagery is stark and painful, it serves as a sobering reminder that our actions have consequences, and God, in His perfect justice, holds us accountable. This verse invites deep introspection: are there areas in our lives where we have strayed from God's path, potentially inviting spiritual "bitterness"? It encourages a humble recognition of God's sovereignty, even when His hand brings discipline, understanding that His ultimate purpose is always redemptive. For believers, this verse, when read in the context of [Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - The Lord's Great Love and Compassions"), reminds us that even in the deepest valleys of despair, God's mercies are new every morning, offering hope and a pathway to restoration through repentance and faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of being "filled with bitterness" and "made drunken with wormwood" resonate with experiences of profound sorrow or consequence in your own life or in the world around you?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character, particularly His justice and sovereignty over suffering?**
* **Considering the broader context of Lamentations 3, how might acknowledging the "bitterness" of sin lead to a deeper appreciation for God's enduring faithfulness and compassion?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God is cruel or arbitrary in causing suffering?**

Answer: No, the verse does not imply God is cruel or arbitrary. In the biblical worldview, particularly within the prophetic literature, God's actions, even those that bring suffering, are understood as just responses to human sin and covenant infidelity. The "bitterness" and "wormwood" are not random acts of malice but represent the painful, yet righteous, consequences of Judah's persistent rebellion against God's commands. This is a consistent theme throughout the Old Testament, where God's judgment serves to call His people to repentance and restore them to a right relationship with Him, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") and [Jeremiah 25:15-16](/jeremiah/25-15 "Jeremiah 25:15-16 - The Cup of God's Wrath").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:15, with its vivid portrayal of being "filled with bitterness" and "made drunken with wormwood" by God's hand, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the prophet experiences the bitter consequences of his people's sin, Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, willingly drank the full cup of God's wrath and judgment on behalf of humanity. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). This "cup" was not merely physical suffering, but the spiritual anguish of bearing the accumulated bitterness of human sin, becoming "sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). On the cross, Jesus experienced the ultimate separation from God, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), a bitterness far deeper than any human could endure. He was truly "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant")), tasting the wormwood of judgment so that we might receive the sweet draught of salvation and eternal life. Through His perfect sacrifice, Jesus transformed the bitter cup of judgment into the cup of blessing, offering redemption and hope to all who believe.

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

Jeremiah 9:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, [even] this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

Isaiah 51:17

¶ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out.

Isaiah 51:22

Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God [that] pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, [even] the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

Lamentations 3:19

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.

Jeremiah 25:27

Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.

Psalms 60:3

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

Job 9:18

He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.