Lamentations 3:4

KJV

My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.

KJV (with Strong's)

My flesh {H1320} and my skin {H5785} hath he made old {H1086}; he hath broken {H7665} my bones {H6106}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He has worn away my skin and flesh, he has broken my bones.

Berean Standard Bible

He has worn away my flesh and skin; He has shattered my bones.

American Standard Version

My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:4 portrays a vivid and deeply personal expression of profound physical and spiritual suffering, where the speaker attributes the complete deterioration of their body—their flesh, skin, and bones—to the direct action of God. This verse encapsulates the intense anguish and desolation experienced by the people of Judah following the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem, reflecting a state of utter brokenness and the overwhelming weight of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3 stands as the central and longest chapter within the book, distinguished by its shift to a singular "I" voice, traditionally attributed to Jeremiah. This chapter is a deeply personal lament, yet it simultaneously embodies the collective suffering of Judah. Verses 1-3 establish the speaker's experience of being personally afflicted by God's wrath, describing being led into darkness and subjected to divine assault. Verse 4 intensifies this physical description, detailing the internal and external decay of the body, setting the stage for the speaker's descent into the depths of despair before the pivotal turn towards hope and God's enduring mercies beginning in [Lamentations 3:22](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22 - The Steadfast Love of the Lord").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations is a sorrowful response to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonian army in 586 BC, an event of unparalleled trauma for ancient Israel. For the people of Judah, this catastrophe was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis—the holy city, the dwelling place of God, was laid waste, and the covenant people were exiled. Culturally, lament was a recognized and vital form of expressing grief, repentance, and petition to God in times of national disaster or personal distress. The physical descriptions of suffering in this verse reflect the brutal realities of siege warfare, famine, and the subsequent psychological and physical toll on the survivors, who understood these calamities as divine judgment for their persistent idolatry and covenant infidelity, as warned by prophets like Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Desolation")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Lamentations and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights **Profound Suffering**, depicting a visceral, comprehensive breakdown of the human body that symbolizes the total devastation of the nation. The repeated phrase "hath he" underscores the theme of **Divine Agency and Judgment**, emphasizing that God is the ultimate source of this suffering, a consequence of Judah's sin and a manifestation of His righteous justice. This acknowledgment, though painful, is crucial for understanding the theological framework of the book, where suffering is not random but purposeful. Lastly, it vividly portrays **Utter Despair and Helplessness**, a state of being utterly wasted and stripped of strength, which forms the necessary backdrop for the subsequent emergence of **Hope in God's Faithfulness** later in the chapter, demonstrating that even from the deepest pits of lament, trust in God's character remains possible (cf. [Lamentations 3:21-26](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-26 - Hope in God's Steadfast Love")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **old (Hebrew, _bâlâh'_):** From H1086, a primitive root meaning "to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)." This word suggests a process of gradual deterioration, a wasting away as if by age or prolonged use. It implies not a sudden injury but a slow, agonizing decay that affects the very fabric of one's being, symbolizing the prolonged and exhaustive suffering of the nation.
* **broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** From H7665, a primitive root meaning "to burst (literally or figuratively); break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), crush, destroy." This term conveys a violent, shattering impact. Unlike "made old," which implies decay, "broken" denotes a sudden, forceful destruction, suggesting an internal, fundamental damage to the body's core structure, causing excruciating and debilitating pain.
* **bones (Hebrew, _ʻetsem'_):** From H6106, meaning "a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame." Bones represent the structural integrity and strength of the body. To have one's bones broken signifies a complete collapse of inner strength, vitality, and the very foundation of one's existence, extending beyond mere physical pain to a deep, existential anguish.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My flesh and my skin hath he made old":** This clause describes an external and superficial deterioration that nonetheless points to a deeper, internal decay. "Flesh" and "skin" represent the outer layers of the body, and their "aging" or "wearing out" suggests a process of wasting away, perhaps from disease, famine, or prolonged exposure to hardship. The passive voice ("hath he made old") clearly attributes this process to God, emphasizing His active role in the speaker's (and Judah's) suffering. It conveys a sense of being consumed or withered by divine judgment.
* **"he hath broken my bones":** This second clause intensifies the imagery, moving beyond external decay to internal, structural damage. "Broken bones" is a vivid and graphic metaphor for profound, debilitating pain and the shattering of one's core strength and stability. It speaks to a complete collapse of physical and perhaps spiritual resilience, implying that the very framework of the speaker's being has been violently fractured. Again, the agency is attributed to "he" (God), reinforcing the understanding that this suffering is a deliberate act of divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:4 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey the depth of suffering. **Hyperbole** is evident in the extreme descriptions of physical decay and brokenness, which are likely metaphorical extensions of the nation's spiritual and societal collapse rather than purely literal physical ailments. The imagery functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for the comprehensive destruction and desolation experienced by Judah. "My flesh and my skin hath he made old" uses a **Simile** (implied) of accelerated aging or decay, akin to an old garment wearing out. The phrase "he hath broken my bones" is a stark **Image** of internal shattering, evoking visceral pain and complete loss of integrity. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism** in its two clauses, where the second clause intensifies the suffering described in the first, moving from external decay to internal structural collapse, creating a cumulative effect of utter devastation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:4 stands as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment. It underscores the biblical truth that God, in His righteousness, will bring about discipline when His covenant people stray from His ways. This verse, however, is not merely about punishment; it's a raw expression of the pain that accompanies such discipline, a pain that affects the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. The speaker's acknowledgment that "he" (God) is the agent of this suffering is crucial; it grounds the lament in a theological framework where God is sovereign over all circumstances, even suffering, and implies that this brokenness is purposeful, intended to lead to repentance and restoration. It is a testament to the depth of God's commitment to His covenant, even when it involves painful correction.

* [Deuteronomy 28:59-61](/deuteronomy/28-59 "Deuteronomy 28:59-61 - Curses for Disobedience") – This passage outlines the severe physical and spiritual curses that would befall Israel for disobedience, including "severe and lasting plagues" and "grievous sicknesses," directly connecting suffering to covenant infidelity.
* [Job 30:17](/job/30-17 "Job 30:17 - Job's Physical Affliction") – Job's lament, "My bones are pierced in the night-season: and my sinews take no rest," provides a parallel description of profound, bone-deep physical agony, emphasizing the shared human experience of suffering.
* [Psalm 38:3](/psalms/38-3 "Psalm 38:3 - Confession of Sin and Suffering") – "There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin," directly links physical decay and bone-deep pain to divine displeasure and the consequences of sin, mirroring the theological understanding in Lamentations.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:4 offers profound insights for contemporary believers navigating seasons of deep distress. It validates the raw, unvarnished expression of pain and brokenness before God, reminding us that authentic lament is a legitimate and necessary part of faith. In a world that often pressures us to present a facade of strength, this verse grants permission to acknowledge profound physical, emotional, and spiritual anguish, even attributing it to God's hand when appropriate. It challenges us to consider the potential role of divine discipline in our lives, not as arbitrary cruelty, but as a purposeful act of a loving Father seeking to refine, correct, and draw us back to Himself. Furthermore, this vivid depiction of suffering cultivates empathy, urging us to minister with compassion to those experiencing similar levels of brokenness, whether due to illness, loss, or spiritual struggle. While this verse focuses on despair, it is vital to remember its place within Lamentations 3, which ultimately pivots to a powerful declaration of God's unfailing mercies, reminding us that even in the deepest valleys, hope is found in His enduring faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when I feel physically or spiritually "broken" or "worn out" by life's circumstances?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to deny or minimize my suffering, rather than bringing my raw lament before God?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty, even in suffering, shape my perspective on personal or communal hardships?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate empathy and offer genuine comfort to others experiencing profound physical or emotional pain?**

### FAQ

**Is the suffering described in Lamentations 3:4 purely physical, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: The suffering described in Lamentations 3:4 is profoundly symbolic, though it draws heavily on literal physical sensations to convey its depth. While the prophet may have experienced personal physical hardship, the "flesh made old" and "broken bones" primarily serve as powerful metaphors for the complete spiritual, social, and national devastation of Judah. It represents the utter collapse of their strength, vitality, and identity as a people, brought about by God's judgment after the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile. This use of vivid physical imagery to describe spiritual or national distress is common in biblical lament literature, such as in [Psalm 22:14](/psalms/22-14 "Psalm 22:14 - A Cry of Dereliction").

**Who is the "he" who is causing this suffering in the verse?**

Answer: The "he" in Lamentations 3:4 unequivocally refers to God. Throughout the Book of Lamentations, and particularly in chapter 3, the speaker consistently attributes the nation's suffering and his own personal anguish to the direct action of the Lord. This is a crucial theological point: the people understood their calamity not as random misfortune or solely the result of Babylonian power, but as the righteous judgment of God for their unfaithfulness to His covenant. This acknowledgment of divine agency, though painful, is foundational to the hope that emerges later in the chapter, as it implies that the same God who brings judgment is also the source of mercy and restoration (cf. [Lamentations 3:32](/lamentations/3-32 "Lamentations 3:32 - God's Compassion")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:4, with its raw depiction of profound brokenness and suffering attributed to God's hand, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the prophet laments the consequences of Judah's sin, Christ, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), voluntarily entered into the depths of human suffering to bear the full weight of God's righteous judgment against sin. On the cross, Jesus experienced a spiritual and physical brokenness far exceeding that described in Lamentations. His "flesh and skin" were indeed "made old" and ravaged by scourging and crucifixion, and though no bone of His was literally broken (as prophesied in [Psalm 34:20](/psalms/34-20 "Psalm 34:20 - Preservation of the Righteous") and confirmed in [John 19:36](/john/19-36 "John 19:36 - No Bone Broken")), He endured an internal shattering of spirit as He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). He became "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")), bearing in His own body the "brokenness" of humanity's sin so that we might find healing and wholeness. Through His suffering, Jesus fully identified with our pain ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands")), yet His brokenness led not to despair but to resurrection and the promise that one day, all tears will be wiped away, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Pain")).

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 38:13

I reckoned till morning, [that], as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me.

Psalms 51:8

Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.

Jeremiah 50:17

Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

Psalms 38:2

For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

Psalms 38:8

I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

Psalms 102:3

For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

Psalms 102:5

By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.