Lamentations 3:17

KJV

And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou hast removed {H2186} my soul {H5315} far off {H2186} from peace {H7965}: I forgat {H5382} prosperity {H2896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I have been so deprived of peace, I have so forgotten what happiness is,

Berean Standard Bible

My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.

American Standard Version

And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace; I forgat prosperity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:17 poignantly articulates the profound spiritual and psychological desolation experienced by the speaker, often identified with the prophet Jeremiah or the collective voice of the exiled people of Judah. This verse conveys a deep sense of divine abandonment, where God is perceived as having actively removed the speaker's inner tranquility and erased the very memory of past well-being and flourishing. It captures the overwhelming impact of national catastrophe, portraying a soul utterly stripped of comfort, hope, and the capacity to recall happier times.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3 forms the theological and emotional core of the book, shifting from the collective lament over Jerusalem's destruction in the preceding chapters to a deeply personal cry from "the man who has seen affliction" [Lamentations 3:1](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1 - The Man Who Has Seen Affliction"). This chapter is structured as an elaborate alphabetic acrostic, with each of its 66 verses (22 stanzas of 3 lines each) beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, underscoring the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the suffering described. Verse 17, nestled within this intensely personal outpouring, details the internal spiritual consequences of the severe affliction previously described, setting the stage for the pivotal turn towards hope and God's steadfast love that begins at [Lamentations 3:21](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - The Lord's Mercies Never End"). The verses immediately preceding it graphically portray the physical and emotional torment inflicted by God, making verse 17 a summary of the profound internal spiritual devastation resulting from that judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations is a post-exilic dirge, composed in the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This catastrophic event was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological and cultural crisis for the people of Judah. Their capital city, the dwelling place of God's presence, was razed, the Temple desecrated and burned, and the majority of the surviving population deported to Babylon. The suffering expressed in [Lamentations 3:17](/lamentations/3-17 "Lamentations 3:17 - Soul Removed from Peace") reflects the profound cultural shock and spiritual disorientation of a people whose entire world, including their understanding of God's covenant promises, had been shattered. The "peace" and "prosperity" they had forgotten were the covenant blessings promised for obedience, now replaced by the curses outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") due to their persistent idolatry and rebellion.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Lamentations. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Profound Loss and Despair**, illustrating how suffering can be so overwhelming that it eclipses the memory of any past joy or well-being. The "forgetting" is not merely a mental lapse but a deep spiritual and psychological state where the current misery completely overshadows all former goodness. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Agency in Suffering**. The direct address "And *thou* hast removed my soul" attributes the affliction directly to God, reflecting the theological conviction that even in judgment, God remains sovereign and active. This is a difficult but crucial aspect of biblical lament, acknowledging God's hand even when it brings pain, as seen in other laments like [Psalm 88](/psalms/88 "Psalm 88 - A Psalm of Utter Despair"). Thirdly, the verse touches upon the **Consequences of Disobedience**, implicitly linking the loss of peace and prosperity to the broken covenant and the resulting divine judgment, a theme prevalent throughout the prophetic books (e.g., [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Seventy Years of Exile")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **removed (Hebrew, _zânach'_):** This primitive root (H2186) means to push aside, reject, forsake, fail, cast away (off), or remove far away (off). In the context of Lamentations 3:17, it conveys a deliberate, active separation initiated by God. It's not merely that peace is absent, but that God Himself has "pushed away" or "cast off" the speaker's soul from peace. This implies a profound sense of divine abandonment or active judgment, intensifying the feeling of desolation and indicating that the suffering is a direct consequence of God's action.

* **soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From נָפַשׁ (H5315), this word properly refers to a breathing creature or vitality. It is used very widely to denote the whole person, their life, appetite, mind, or desire. Here, "my soul" signifies the speaker's innermost being, their very essence, emphasizing that the removal from peace is not superficial but affects the core of their existence—their spiritual, emotional, and psychological well-being. It highlights the comprehensive nature of the internal devastation.

* **peace (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** From שָׁלַם (H7965), this term is far richer than merely the absence of conflict. _Shalom_ encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, harmony, security, prosperity, and flourishing in all aspects of life—spiritual, physical, and relational. To be removed "far off from peace" means to be utterly devoid of this comprehensive well-being, experiencing a complete breakdown of internal and external harmony and a profound sense of brokenness.

* **forgat (Hebrew, _nâshâh'_):** A primitive root (H5382) meaning to forget, figuratively to neglect, or causatively to remit/remove. In this verse, "I forgat" indicates a state where the memory of prosperity has been completely eclipsed by the overwhelming present suffering. It suggests a deep psychological impact where the mind can no longer recall or conceive of a time when things were good, highlighting the pervasive and consuming nature of their distress, to the point where past blessings seem unreal or unreachable.

* **prosperity (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** Derived from טוֹב (H2896), this word means "good" in its widest sense, encompassing goodness, well-being, welfare, benefit, and pleasantness. In the context of the KJV translation "prosperity," it refers to the state of flourishing, abundance, and general well-being that was once experienced. The speaker's declaration of having "forgat prosperity" signifies a complete reversal of fortune and a profound sense of loss, where the very concept of goodness or flourishing has become alien due to the intensity of their affliction, leaving them in a state of utter deprivation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace:"** This clause attributes the speaker's profound state of desolation directly to God's action. The verb "removed" (Hebrew: _zânach_) suggests a deliberate act of pushing away or casting off, indicating that the absence of peace is not accidental but a consequence of divine judgment. The "soul" (Hebrew: _nephesh_) signifies the entire inner being, emphasizing that this removal from "peace" (Hebrew: _shâlôwm_—wholeness, well-being, harmony) affects the deepest core of the individual's existence, leaving them utterly devoid of internal and external tranquility.

* **"I forgat prosperity."** This second clause describes the devastating psychological and spiritual impact of the suffering. The speaker declares that they have "forgotten" (Hebrew: _nâshâh_) "prosperity" (Hebrew: _ṭôwb_—goodness, welfare, flourishing). This is not merely a lapse of memory but a profound state where the current, overwhelming affliction has so eclipsed all past good that the very concept or experience of well-being seems alien and unreachable. It highlights the pervasive nature of their misery, which has eradicated the memory and hope of happier times, leaving them in a state of profound despair.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:17 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the depth of the speaker's despair. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "removed my soul far off from peace," where the abstract concept of peace is treated as a tangible place or state from which the soul can be forcibly separated. This emphasizes the profound internal alienation experienced by the speaker. The declaration "I forgat prosperity" functions as **hyperbole**, underscoring the extreme nature of the suffering. While the speaker likely hasn't literally forgotten *all* past good, the statement conveys that the present distress is so overwhelming that it has eclipsed and rendered irrelevant any memory of former well-being, making it feel as though prosperity never existed. Furthermore, the direct address "And **thou** hast removed..." is a powerful use of **apostrophe** or **direct address** to God. This direct accusation, though painful, acknowledges God's sovereignty over their suffering and is a common feature of biblical lament, allowing the afflicted to bring their deepest grievances before the Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:17 offers a raw and honest portrayal of suffering, challenging simplistic notions of peace and prosperity. Theologically, it affirms God's absolute sovereignty, even over the experience of profound human suffering and judgment. The speaker attributes the removal of peace directly to God, acknowledging His hand in their affliction. This is a crucial aspect of biblical lament: even in the depths of despair, the lamenter does not deny God's power or presence, but rather cries out *to* Him. This verse also highlights the devastating psychological and spiritual impact of prolonged distress, where the very memory of good times can be eclipsed. Yet, within the broader context of Lamentations 3, this profound despair serves as the dark backdrop against which the dawning hope of God's steadfast love and mercies will shine forth, demonstrating that even when all seems lost, faith can still cling to the character of God.

* [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping May Remain for a Night")
* [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - The Lord Gives and Takes Away")
* [Deuteronomy 28:65](/deuteronomy/28-65 "Deuteronomy 28:65 - A Trembling Heart in Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:17 provides a vital vocabulary for expressing profound grief and spiritual desolation. In a world that often pressures us to maintain a facade of strength or to quickly move past pain, this verse grants permission to acknowledge the depth of our suffering—even to the point of feeling that peace has been actively removed and past joys forgotten. It reminds us that authentic faith does not shy away from confronting God with our pain, recognizing His sovereignty even in the midst of what feels like divine abandonment. For believers today, this verse can be a comfort in seasons of deep personal loss, national crisis, or spiritual dryness. It validates the experience of feeling "far off from peace" and the struggle to recall former "prosperity." Yet, it also implicitly prepares the heart for the pivot found later in the chapter, where the very act of lamenting to God can become the pathway to remembering His faithfulness and finding renewed hope. Our honest cries of despair, like those of the prophet, can lead us to rediscover God's unfailing mercies and the enduring truth of His character, even when circumstances seem to contradict it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "far off from peace" today, and how do you respond to that feeling?**
* **Have there been times when overwhelming circumstances made you feel as though you had "forgotten prosperity," unable to recall or believe in past joys?**
* **How does acknowledging God's sovereignty, even in moments of deep pain, shape your understanding of His character and your ability to lament?**
* **What steps can you take to move from a place of forgotten prosperity to remembering God's past faithfulness and present mercies, even amidst ongoing struggle?**

### FAQ
**Does Lamentations 3:17 imply that God actively desires to cause suffering or remove peace from His people?**

Answer: While the verse states "thou hast removed my soul far off from peace," it's crucial to understand this within the broader biblical narrative of covenant and consequences. In the Old Testament, God's judgment was often a direct result of His people's persistent disobedience and idolatry, as outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The suffering described in Lamentations is a fulfillment of these covenant curses, intended to bring His people to repentance and restore them to Him. So, it's not that God delights in suffering for its own sake, but that He is just and holy, and His discipline, though painful, serves a redemptive purpose (cf. [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline and Love")). The prophet acknowledges God's hand not out of despairing fatalism, but out of a deep theological conviction that nothing happens outside of God's sovereign will, even the hardest experiences. This acknowledgment is a form of theological honesty, recognizing divine justice while still expressing profound pain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:17 finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The prophet's cry of a soul removed from peace and forgetting prosperity deeply resonates with Christ's experience on the cross. Jesus, the "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Christ's Suffering for Us")), bore the ultimate removal from peace when He was forsaken by the Father, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). He experienced the deepest possible spiritual desolation, taking upon Himself the weight of humanity's sin, which separated Him from the Father's presence. Yet, through His suffering and sacrifice, Christ became our peace. He broke down the wall of hostility, reconciling us to God ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). Unlike the prophet who "forgat prosperity," Christ's sacrifice ensures that believers can now experience a lasting spiritual prosperity and an enduring peace that the world cannot give ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Gift of Peace")). Through Him, we have peace with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God")) and are promised a future where all tears are wiped away and true, eternal prosperity in God's presence is realized ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")). His suffering swallowed up our lack of peace and forgotten prosperity, offering true and lasting _shalom_.

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 59:11

We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but [there is] none; for salvation, [but] it is far off from us.

Psalms 119:155

¶ Salvation [is] far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

Lamentations 1:16

For these [things] I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.

Isaiah 54:10

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

Jeremiah 8:15

We looked for peace, but no good [came; and] for a time of health, and behold trouble!

Isaiah 38:17

Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul [delivered it] from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

Jeremiah 20:14

¶ Cursed [be] the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.