Lamentations 3:37

KJV

¶ Who [is] he [that] saith, and it cometh to pass, [when] the Lord commandeth [it] not?

KJV (with Strong's)

Who is he that saith {H559}, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord {H136} commandeth {H6680} it not?

Complete Jewish Bible

Who can say something and have it happen without Adonai's commanding it?

Berean Standard Bible

Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it?

American Standard Version

Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:37 poses a profound rhetorical question, asserting the absolute and unparalleled sovereignty of God over all events and human endeavors. It unequivocally declares that nothing can come to pass, no decree can be established, and no word can be fulfilled unless it is first commanded or permitted by the Lord. This verse serves as a powerful theological anchor in a book of immense sorrow, reminding the reader that even amidst the deepest suffering and desolation, God remains the supreme authority, orchestrating all things according to His divine will and purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3:37 is situated within a pivotal chapter of the book of Lamentations, often considered its theological and emotional heart. While the preceding chapters and the initial verses of chapter 3 are filled with personal and communal lament over Jerusalem's destruction, verses 21-39 introduce a profound shift towards hope and a renewed confession of God's enduring faithfulness and sovereign control. Specifically, verses 37-39 form a tightly knit unit that directly addresses the source of all events, challenging any notion that human will or power can operate independently of divine decree. This section serves to reorient the suffering individual's perspective from despair to a recognition of God's ultimate authority, even over the calamities they are experiencing. It sets the stage for the subsequent verses that affirm God's justice and the need for repentance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, written in the immediate aftermath of the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Babylonian army in 586 BC. This event marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma, theological questioning, and existential despair for the Jewish people. In such a context, questions about God's presence, power, and justice were paramount. The people wrestled with whether their suffering was random, a result of human actions alone, or part of a divine plan. Verse 37 directly confronts this cultural and theological crisis by affirming that even this unprecedented calamity was not outside the purview of God's command, thereby reinforcing His omnipotence and ultimate control, even in judgment. This understanding, while painful, offered a framework for meaning and hope for future restoration.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:37 powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent throughout the book and broader biblical narrative. First and foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, emphasizing God's absolute control over all creation and all events, whether good or seemingly catastrophic. This verse posits that no human utterance or plan can succeed unless it aligns with or is permitted by God's will, echoing the sentiment found in [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Lord's Purpose Prevails") that "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." Secondly, it highlights the **Futility of Human Will Apart from God**, asserting the impotence of human declarations or curses when they are not divinely authorized. This serves as a humbling reminder that human agency is always subordinate to divine prerogative. Paradoxically, in a book steeped in lament, this assertion of God's ultimate control can also offer a strange comfort, assuring the suffering that their pain is not meaningless or random, but is held within the bounds of a divine purpose, even if hidden, as affirmed in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root (H559) is used with great latitude, encompassing the act of speaking, declaring, decreeing, or even thinking and intending. In Lamentations 3:37, its usage implies a human attempt to pronounce or bring something into existence through mere utterance or intention. The rhetorical question challenges the efficacy of such human "saying" when it stands apart from divine authorization, highlighting the ultimate powerlessness of human words to effect reality without God's command.
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây'_):** This is an emphatic form of the Hebrew word for "master" or "lord" (H136), used here as a proper name for God, emphasizing His supreme authority and ownership. The use of _ʼĂdônây_ rather than Yahweh (the covenant name) often highlights God's role as sovereign ruler and master over all creation. In this context, it underscores that the one who "commandeth" is the ultimate, unquestionable authority, whose will is absolute and whose decrees are unchallengeable.
* **commandeth (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** This primitive root (H6680) implies an intensive act of constituting, enjoining, or issuing a direct order. It signifies a divine mandate, an authoritative decree, or an appointment. When the verse states "when the Lord commandeth it not," it powerfully conveys that any event or outcome that occurs must, by definition, have been either directly commanded or at least permitted and ordained by God. This word emphasizes God's active role in bringing things to pass, not merely His passive allowance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who is he that saith,"**: This opening clause sets up a rhetorical challenge, inviting the listener to consider if any human being, or indeed any other entity, possesses the inherent power to merely "say" something and bring it into being. It immediately casts doubt on the independent efficacy of any non-divine utterance or declaration.
* **"and it cometh to pass,"**: This phrase refers to the actualization or fulfillment of what has been spoken. It implies that the spoken word has tangible, real-world consequences. The question implicitly asks if anyone can truly cause an event to unfold simply by speaking it, without any higher authority.
* **"when the Lord commandeth it not?"**: This concluding clause provides the crucial condition and the answer to the rhetorical question. It asserts that no one possesses the power to speak something into existence or make it happen if the Lord has not commanded it. This powerfully affirms God's absolute sovereignty, indicating that all events, whether seemingly good or calamitous, occur either by His direct decree or His sovereign permission. His command is the ultimate determinant of reality.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:37 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?" This question is not meant to elicit an answer but to make an emphatic statement, implying that the answer is unequivocally "no one." It powerfully underscores the unique and unparalleled sovereignty of God. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Antithesis** by contrasting human "saying" (with its inherent limitations) against divine "commanding" (with its absolute power). This juxtaposition highlights the vast chasm between human agency and divine omnipotence. Finally, the phrase "commandeth it not" employs **Emphatic Negation**, stressing that the absence of God's command renders any human declaration utterly ineffectual. This reinforces the idea that God's will is the ultimate and sole determinant of what comes to pass.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:37 serves as a foundational declaration of divine sovereignty, a truth woven throughout the fabric of biblical theology. It asserts that God is not merely an observer of human affairs but the ultimate orchestrator, whose will is supreme and whose decrees are unchallengeable. This understanding provides a theological framework for comprehending both the judgments and the mercies of God, assuring believers that even in times of profound suffering, nothing happens outside of His knowledge or ultimate control. It challenges any notion of fate or chance, grounding all reality in the intentionality of the Creator. This truth does not negate human responsibility but places it within the larger context of God's overarching plan, fostering humility and trust in His providence.
* [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "Daniel 4:35 - God's Sovereign Dominion")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and the apparent randomness of events, Lamentations 3:37 offers a profound anchor for the soul. It calls us to a radical trust in God's absolute sovereignty, reminding us that no human power, no political decree, no natural disaster, and no personal tragedy can occur outside the bounds of His ultimate command or permission. This truth does not diminish the reality of suffering or the importance of human action, but it reframes them within the context of a divine narrative where God remains firmly on the throne. Understanding this brings a deep peace, freeing us from the anxiety of trying to control what is beyond our grasp and empowering us to surrender our plans and fears to the One who holds all things together. It cultivates humility, prompting us to seek God's will in all our endeavors, knowing that true success is found only in alignment with His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's absolute sovereignty, as expressed in Lamentations 3:37, challenge or comfort you in your current circumstances?**
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own strength or declarations rather than seeking God's command and permission?**
* **How might a deeper understanding of God's ultimate control over all things impact your prayers and your response to unexpected difficulties?**

### FAQ

**Does Lamentations 3:37 imply that God directly causes all evil and suffering?**

Answer: Lamentations 3:37 asserts God's ultimate sovereignty, meaning nothing happens outside of His command or permission. It does not necessarily mean God directly causes all evil in an active, malevolent sense. Instead, it affirms that even in a fallen world where sin and its consequences (including suffering) are rampant, God remains in control. He may permit suffering for various purposes—to refine, to discipline, to reveal His glory, or to draw people to Himself. The verse emphasizes that no human or demonic force can act independently of His overarching will. While God is holy and cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone to evil ([James 1:13](/james/1-13 "James 1:13 - God Does Not Tempt")), He is sovereign over all events, including those that involve human sin and its painful outcomes. His ultimate purpose, even through suffering, is always redemptive and for His glory, as seen in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:37 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the divine will and exercises the very authority of God. The rhetorical question, "Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?" points directly to the unique position of Christ. He is the Word (Logos) through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God") and [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")). His every word and action were in perfect alignment with the Father's command, demonstrating that His "saying" always "came to pass" because it was the very command of the Lord. From calming storms with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) to raising the dead ([John 11:43](/john/11-43 "John 11:43 - Jesus Raises Lazarus")), Jesus's life was a living testament to the truth of this verse. His ultimate act of obedience, the sacrifice on the cross, was not a random event but the fulfillment of God's eternal command and redemptive plan ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Determined Purpose")). Through Christ, the sovereign will of God is not only declared but perfectly executed, offering humanity the hope of salvation and the assurance that even in the midst of suffering, God's ultimate command is for our good and His glory. He is the one through whom all things are upheld by the word of His power ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")).

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 33:9

For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Psalms 33:11

The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Isaiah 46:10

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Proverbs 16:9

¶ A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Proverbs 19:21

¶ [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Proverbs 21:30

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?