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 profound lament from the prophet, traditionally Jeremiah, expressing an overwhelming and incapacitating experience of suffering directly inflicted by God. The vivid imagery of being "filled with bitterness" and "made drunken with wormwood" powerfully conveys a state of profound despair, disorientation, and spiritual incapacitation, reflecting the devastating consequences of divine judgment upon Judah. This verse encapsulates the intensely personal agony of national calamity, where the prophet embodies the collective desolation of a people facing the bitter fruit of their rebellion against God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3 serves as the emotional and structural heart of the book, transitioning from communal laments in the preceding chapters to a deeply personal expression of sorrow, often attributed to the "man who has seen affliction" as introduced in [Lamentations 3:1](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1 - The Man Who Has Seen Affliction"). This chapter is meticulously crafted as an alphabetic acrostic, with each stanza of three lines commencing with the same Hebrew letter, underscoring a methodical and exhaustive articulation of profound grief. Verse 15 is integral to a sustained description of the prophet's suffering, immediately following verses that explicitly detail God's active role in his affliction, such as [Lamentations 3:11-14](/lamentations/3-11-14 "Lamentations 3:11-14 - God's Affliction of the Prophet"). The raw intensity of the imagery presented here is crucial, as it sets the stark backdrop against which the pivotal shift towards hope and the enduring faithfulness of God will emerge later in the chapter, notably in [Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21-23 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - The Lord's Faithfulness Endures").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is a poignant poetic response to the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple by the Babylonian army in 586 BC, an event that culminated in the exile of the Judahite population. For ancient Israel, this was far more than a military defeat; it represented a profound theological crisis, challenging their fundamental understanding of God's covenant promises and His abiding presence. Within ancient Near Eastern thought, national calamity was universally interpreted as divine judgment, a direct consequence of covenant infidelity. The potent imagery of "bitterness" and "wormwood" would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the pervasive biblical motif of a "cup of wrath" or a "bitter draught" as a metaphor for divine punishment, a theme frequently articulated in prophetic literature, as seen in [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Wrath"). Thus, the prophet's personal suffering in this verse serves as a tangible and visceral manifestation of the nation's spiritual and physical desolation.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:15 powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within the book of Lamentations and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it vividly portrays the **Overwhelming Nature of Suffering**, depicting it not as a transient discomfort but as a saturating, disorienting, and all-consuming experience. Secondly, the verse unequivocally highlights **Divine Sovereignty in Judgment**, firmly attributing the suffering directly to God's action. This emphasizes that even amidst profound calamity, God remains in sovereign control and acts with perfect justice, challenging any notion of random misfortune. Thirdly, the imagery powerfully illustrates the **Consequences of Sin and Covenant Disobedience**, presenting the "bitterness" and "wormwood" as the inevitable and painful outcome of Judah's persistent rebellion against the Lord's commands, as meticulously outlined in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bitterness (Hebrew, _mᵉrôr'_):** From the root meaning "to be bitter," this term signifies a bitter herb or the quality of bitterness itself. In this context, it represents an overwhelming state of intense sorrow, grief, and the harsh, unpalatable reality of profound suffering. It encapsulates the very essence of the prophet's affliction, a deep and pervasive emotional and spiritual anguish.
* **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" by this bitter substance implies a state of profound disorientation, incapacitation, and a complete loss of control. It suggests that the overwhelming sorrow has so thoroughly permeated the prophet's being that it has clouded his perception, impaired his judgment, and rendered him unable to function normally, akin to an intoxicating effect.
* **wormwood (Hebrew, _laʻănâh'_):** From an unused root supposed to mean "to curse," wormwood is a plant renowned for its extreme bitterness and, in ancient contexts, often associated with poisonous properties. In biblical literature, it frequently serves as a potent symbol of divine judgment, calamity, and intense sorrow, often representing a bitter or accursed draught. Its inclusion here underscores the severe, unpalatable, and divinely ordained nature of the consequences of sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath filled me with bitterness":** This initial clause unequivocally identifies the source of the prophet's suffering as divine ("He" referring to God), thereby establishing that the affliction is not accidental but a divinely ordained consequence of sin. The verb "filled" (from the Hebrew _sâbaʻ_) conveys a sense of complete saturation and inundation. It implies that bitterness, representing profound sorrow and grief, has permeated every aspect of the prophet's existence, leaving no room for relief or joy. This is not a partial taste of pain but a total and overwhelming immersion in anguish, suggesting a state of being utterly consumed by sorrow.
* **"he hath made me drunken with wormwood":** This second clause intensifies the preceding imagery, employing a powerful and vivid metaphor. To be "made drunken" (from _râvâh_) by "wormwood" (from _laʻănâh_) signifies a state beyond mere pain; it suggests disorientation, incapacitation, and a complete loss of mental and emotional clarity. Wormwood, known for its extreme bitterness and symbolic association with divine judgment and curse, underscores the severity and the repulsive, toxic nature of the affliction. The prophet is not merely enduring suffering; he is consumed and incapacitated by it, as if intoxicated by its bitter, accursed essence, rendering him helpless and disoriented in his overwhelming grief.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:15 is rich in its use of literary devices to convey the depth of the prophet's anguish. The verse primarily employs **Metaphor** and **Hyperbole**. The prophet is not literally filled with a bitter substance or made drunk by a plant; these are powerful figurative expressions designed to communicate 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, akin to intoxication. The use of **Hyperbole** further emphasizes the extreme degree of the prophet's pain, suggesting it is beyond normal human endurance and has reached an unbearable intensity. Additionally, the verse 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 intensely 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, foreshadowing a path to restoration.

* [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 sobering reality of divine judgment. While the imagery is stark and painful, it serves as a powerful 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" or the "wormwood" of consequences? 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 broader context of [Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21-23 "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 in His enduring compassion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of being "filled with bitterness" and "made drunken with wormwood" resonate with experiences of profound sorrow or the painful consequences of choices 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, holiness, 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, and motivate a turning towards Him?**

### 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 and righteous responses to human sin and covenant infidelity. The "bitterness" and "wormwood" are not random acts of malice but represent the painful, yet deserved, 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, to purify them, and ultimately to 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/25-15-16 "Jeremiah 25:15-16 - The Cup of God's Wrath"). God's justice is always intertwined with His redemptive purposes.

### 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 redemptive 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" who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([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.