Lamentations 3:38

KJV

Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

KJV (with Strong's)

Out of the mouth {H6310} of the most High {H5945} proceedeth {H3318} not evil {H7451} and good {H2896}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't both bad things and good proceed from the mouth of the Most High?

Berean Standard Bible

Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?

American Standard Version

Out of the mouth of the Most High cometh there not evil and good?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:38 poses a profound rhetorical question, asserting God's ultimate and comprehensive sovereignty over all events, whether perceived as beneficial or calamitous. Amidst the prophet's deep lament over Jerusalem's destruction, this verse serves as a theological anchor, acknowledging that nothing, neither blessing nor adversity, occurs outside the divine will or permission of the Most High. It challenges the human tendency to compartmentalize God's involvement, instead declaring His absolute control over every circumstance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3 is unique within the book, shifting from communal lament to a deeply personal reflection, often attributed to Jeremiah. The chapter begins with the prophet describing his intense suffering as if he were the embodiment of Jerusalem's anguish. However, a pivotal turn occurs around [Lamentations 3:21-26](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-26 - Hope in God's Steadfast Love"), where the lament gives way to a profound confession of God's steadfast love, mercies, and faithfulness. This theological pivot provides the framework for verse 38. After acknowledging God's goodness and the hope found in Him, the prophet then grapples with the source of the suffering, leading to the rhetorical question that affirms divine sovereignty even over "evil" (calamity). The verses immediately following, [Lamentations 3:39-40](/lamentations/3-39 "Lamentations 3:39-40 - Why Should the Living Complain?"), continue this line of thought, urging self-examination rather than complaint, reinforcing the idea that suffering is often a consequence of human sin, permitted by a sovereign God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations is a direct response to the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC. This event marked the destruction of Solomon's Temple, the end of the Davidic monarchy, and the exile of the Jewish people. For ancient Israel, this was not merely a political or military defeat but a profound theological crisis. How could God, who had promised to dwell among them and protect His city, allow such devastation? The cultural understanding of the time often attributed both prosperity and calamity directly to divine action, whether as blessing for obedience or judgment for disobedience. The prophet, speaking from within this cultural framework, affirms that even this unprecedented national disaster was not random or beyond God's control, but rather proceeded from "the mouth of the Most High," consistent with the covenant curses outlined in texts like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:38 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book and broader biblical theology. **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount, asserting God's absolute control over all creation and all events, including those that bring hardship or judgment. This is not a passive sovereignty but an active one, where events "proceed" from Him. Closely related is the theme of **Theodicy**, the attempt to reconcile God's goodness with the existence of evil and suffering. The verse suggests that even what appears to be "evil" (calamity, not moral evil) is part of God's comprehensive plan, serving His purposes, which may include discipline or purification. It underscores God's **Ultimate Authority** as "the Most High," from whom all things originate and to whom all things are subject. This understanding, though challenging, provides a foundation for trusting God's wisdom and purpose even when circumstances are dire, echoing sentiments found in [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Naked I Came, Naked I Shall Return").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Most High (Hebrew, _ʻelyôwn'_):** This term emphasizes God's supreme elevation and transcendence. It denotes His ultimate authority, power, and sovereignty, placing Him above all other beings and forces. When something proceeds from "the Most High," it carries the weight of ultimate divine decree and unchallengeable authority. It signifies that God is not merely a participant but the ultimate orchestrator of all things.
* **proceedeth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This verb signifies "to go out," "to come forth," or "to issue from." In this context, it describes the origin and source of events. When "evil and good" proceed from God's mouth, it means they originate from His command, decree, or permission. It implies an active emanation or a divinely ordained unfolding of circumstances, rather than a passive observation of events.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** While this word can denote moral wickedness, in many Old Testament contexts, especially when God is the subject, it refers to calamity, disaster, adversity, or affliction. This is crucial for understanding Lamentations 3:38. The question is not whether moral evil (sin) originates from God, but whether adversity and hardship come from Him. The biblical answer, consistently, is that God orchestrates or permits such "evil" as part of His sovereign plan, often as a form of judgment or discipline, as seen in [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Creates Peace and Calamity").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Out of the mouth of the most High":** This clause establishes the ultimate source and authority. "The mouth" is a biblical metaphor for divine decree, command, or spoken word, signifying God's authoritative will. "The Most High" underscores His supreme, transcendent position, indicating that whatever follows is an expression of His absolute sovereignty.
* **"proceedeth not evil and good?":** This is a rhetorical question, expecting a strong affirmative answer. The implied answer is "Yes, indeed!" It asserts that both "evil" (calamity, adversity) and "good" (blessing, prosperity) originate from God. The phrasing challenges the notion that any event, particularly suffering, falls outside of God's comprehensive control or permission. It forces the reader to acknowledge God's hand in all of life's circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:38 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which is designed not to elicit an answer but to affirm a truth already known or strongly implied. By posing "Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?", the prophet compels the reader to affirm God's absolute sovereignty over all outcomes. This question also contains an element of **Merism**, a figure of speech in which two contrasting parts of a whole are used to represent the whole (e.g., "heaven and earth" for all creation). Here, "evil and good" represents the totality of human experience—all circumstances, whether pleasant or painful. This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's control. Furthermore, there's a subtle **Paradox** or tension in the question, as it confronts the natural human inclination to separate God from suffering while simultaneously affirming His goodness. The verse forces a theological wrestling that ultimately leads to a deeper trust in God's overarching plan, even when it involves hardship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:38 stands as a profound declaration of God's comprehensive sovereignty, asserting that both prosperity and adversity ultimately proceed from His divine will. This does not imply that God is the author of moral evil or sin, which originates from human rebellion. Rather, it means that even the calamities and hardships experienced by humanity, including the destruction of Jerusalem, are not outside of God's providential control or permission. He uses such events to accomplish His purposes, whether for judgment, discipline, or ultimately, restoration and refinement. This theological truth, while challenging, provides a crucial foundation for faith, reminding us that even in chaos, God remains firmly on His throne, orchestrating all things according to His wise and just plan.

* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Forms Light and Creates Calamity")
* [Job 2:10](/job/2-10 "Job 2:10 - Shall We Not Receive Evil from God?")
* [Amos 3:6](/amos/3-6 "Amos 3:6 - Does Disaster Befall a City Unless the Lord Has Done It?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:38 offers a stark yet comforting truth for the believer: God is sovereign over *all* things. In a world often marked by unpredictable suffering, this verse calls us to move beyond a simplistic view of good fortune as God's blessing and misfortune as His absence. Instead, it invites us into a deeper, more mature understanding of divine providence, where even the most painful experiences are part of a larger, purposeful narrative orchestrated by the Most High. This doesn't diminish our pain or excuse human sin, but it anchors our hope in a God who is never out of control. When we face personal tragedy, national crisis, or global turmoil, this verse challenges us to ask not "Why did this happen *to* me?" but "What is God doing *through* this?" It compels us to trust His wisdom even when His ways are inscrutable, knowing that His ultimate aim is always redemptive for those who are His.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging God's sovereignty over both "evil" (calamity) and "good" change your perspective on personal suffering?**
* **In what ways might God use difficult circumstances to accomplish His good purposes in your life or in the world?**
* **What does Lamentations 3:38 teach us about the nature of trust in God, especially when His actions are not immediately comprehensible?**

### FAQ
**Does Lamentations 3:38 mean God is the author of sin or moral evil?**

Answer: No, Lamentations 3:38 does not mean God is the author of sin or moral evil. The Hebrew word `raʻ` (H7451), translated "evil," in this context primarily refers to calamity, disaster, or adversity, not moral wickedness. The Bible consistently attributes moral evil to human choices and rebellion against God ([James 1:13-15](/james/1-13 "James 1:13-15 - The Origin of Temptation and Sin")). However, God, in His absolute sovereignty, permits or orchestrates these calamities to achieve His righteous purposes, which may include judgment, discipline, or drawing people to repentance. For example, [Amos 3:6](/amos/3-6 "Amos 3:6 - Disaster in a City") asks, "Does disaster befall a city, unless the Lord has done it?" clearly referring to divinely appointed adversity, not moral wrongdoing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:38, with its profound assertion of God's sovereignty over both "evil" (calamity) and "good," finds its ultimate and most redemptive fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The greatest "evil" or suffering ever experienced was the crucifixion of the Son of God, yet this horrific act was not outside the sovereign plan of the Most High. As [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - Jesus Delivered Up by God's Plan") declares, Jesus was "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God." This seemingly ultimate calamity was, in fact, God's ultimate "good," the means by which He secured salvation for humanity. Through Christ's death and resurrection, God transformed the greatest evil into the greatest good, demonstrating His power to redeem all suffering and work all things for the good of those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")). Jesus Himself, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), voluntarily embraced the cup of suffering, knowing it was the Father's will ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")), thereby becoming the ultimate demonstration that even the deepest human pain can be part of God's perfect, redemptive plan, leading to eternal glory.

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 45:7

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].

Amos 3:6

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done [it]?

Job 2:10

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Jeremiah 32:42

For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.

Psalms 75:7

But God [is] the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Proverbs 29:26

¶ Many seek the ruler's favour; but [every] man's judgment [cometh] from the LORD.