Lamentations 3:46

KJV

All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.

KJV (with Strong's)

All our enemies {H341} have opened {H6475} their mouths {H6310} against us.

Complete Jewish Bible

"All our adversaries open their mouths to jeer at us.

Berean Standard Bible

All our enemies open their mouths against us.

American Standard Version

All our enemies have opened their mouth wide against us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:46 vividly portrays the profound humiliation and relentless verbal assault endured by the people of Judah in the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction. It captures the unrestrained mockery and scorn of their enemies, symbolizing not only military defeat but also a deep psychological and spiritual torment. This verse underscores the complete vulnerability of the defeated nation, subjected to public derision without recourse, highlighting the pervasive nature of their suffering beyond mere physical devastation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3 stands as the emotional and theological heart of the book, widely attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. Unlike the preceding chapters, which lament the destruction of Jerusalem in vivid, external terms, chapter 3 shifts to a more personal, first-person lament, often interpreted as the voice of the suffering nation, or even Jeremiah himself, embodying the collective anguish. This chapter is unique for its acrostic structure, with each of its 66 verses (22 stanzas of 3 lines each) beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. While verses 1-39 express profound despair and a sense of God's judgment, verses 40-51 pivot towards confession, repentance, and a desperate plea for divine intervention, culminating in an outpouring of hope in God's steadfast love and mercies, as powerfully expressed in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Steadfast Love and Mercies"). Verse 46, however, falls within the section (verses 42-51) that describes the continued suffering and opposition from enemies, even amidst the nascent hope, emphasizing the ongoing reality of their plight and the persistence of their adversaries' cruelty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The backdrop for Lamentations is the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC to the Babylonian Empire, led by Nebuchadnezzar. This event marked the destruction of the First Temple, the end of the Davidic monarchy, and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. In the ancient Near East, military conquest was not merely a physical subjugation but also a profound act of humiliation, often accompanied by public shaming of the defeated. Victors frequently paraded captives, desecrated sacred sites, and engaged in verbal taunts and mockery to assert their dominance and demoralize the vanquished. The "opened mouths" of the enemies in [Lamentations 3:46](/lamentations/3-46 "Lamentations 3:46 - Enemies' Mockery") reflect this cultural practice, where verbal abuse was a potent weapon, adding insult to injury and deepening the psychological wounds of defeat. The people of Judah, once God's chosen nation, now faced the ultimate disgrace: their God seemingly silent, their city in ruins, and their enemies openly reviling them.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Lamentations. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Humiliation and Shame**, as the defeated Israelites are subjected to public scorn, a profound blow to their national and religious identity. Secondly, it underscores the **Triumph of the Enemy**, portraying the adversaries as unbridled in their contempt, reveling in their victory without restraint. This unrestrained expression of malice emphasizes the complete subjugation of Judah. Thirdly, the verse speaks to the **Vulnerability and Oppression** of the people, who are utterly powerless to defend themselves against these verbal assaults, mirroring their physical and political helplessness. Finally, it deepens the book's pervasive theme of **Profound Suffering**, demonstrating that the agony of the exile was not limited to physical destruction or displacement but extended to deep emotional and psychological anguish, as seen in the broader lament over Jerusalem's desolation in [Lamentations 1](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Jerusalem's Desolation"). The "opened mouths" symbolize the relentless, predatory nature of their tormentors, echoing the taunts faced by the psalmist in [Psalm 35:21](/psalms/35-21 "Psalm 35:21 - Enemies Mocking David").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **enemies (Hebrew, _ʼôyêb'_):** This word (H341) is an active participle derived from the verb אָיַב (ʼāyab), meaning "to hate." It signifies "hating" or "an adversary." In this context, it refers to the Babylonian forces and any other nations or individuals who rejoiced in Judah's downfall. The use of "all our enemies" emphasizes the pervasive and overwhelming nature of the opposition, suggesting a unified front of hostility and a complete lack of allies or respite.
* **opened (Hebrew, _pâtsâh'_):** This verb (H6475) is a primitive root meaning "to rend," "to open (especially the mouth)," "to gape," or "to utter." When used with "mouths," it conveys a sense of opening wide, often aggressively or with a devouring intent. It is not merely speaking, but speaking with unrestrained force, perhaps even with a predatory or mocking posture, indicating a brazen and uninhibited expression of contempt.
* **mouths (Hebrew, _peh'_):** This noun (H6310) comes from the root פָּאָה (pāʼāh) and literally refers to "the mouth" as the organ of blowing or speaking. Figuratively, it encompasses speech, command, expression, or even the edge of something. In [Lamentations 3:46](/lamentations/3-46 "Lamentations 3:46 - Enemies' Mockery"), "mouths" is used as a metonymy for the words, taunts, and accusations uttered by the enemies. The combination with "opened" suggests a torrent of verbal abuse, slander, and mockery, indicating the full, unbridled force of their hostile speech.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All our enemies":** This phrase emphasizes the totality and universality of the opposition faced by the lamenter and, by extension, the nation of Judah. It suggests that there was no quarter given, no friendly nation, and no respite from the hostility. The term "enemies" (ʼôyêb) carries the connotation of those who actively hate and oppose, not merely military adversaries but those with malicious intent.
* **"have opened their mouths against us":** This clause vividly describes the specific nature of the enemies' aggression. The act of "opening their mouths" (pâtsâh peh) is a powerful idiom for unrestrained, aggressive speech. It signifies more than just speaking; it implies a loud, mocking, derisive, or even devouring utterance. "Against us" underscores the direct and personal nature of these attacks, highlighting the vulnerability of the defeated people who are subjected to this barrage of verbal abuse without the ability to retaliate or defend themselves. It conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by a torrent of scorn and condemnation.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:46 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of suffering. **Metonymy** is prominent, where "mouths" stands in for the words, taunts, and accusations themselves, effectively representing the verbal assault. The image of "opened mouths" creates vivid **Imagery**, evoking a sense of predatory aggression, like a beast gaping to devour, or a crowd jeering relentlessly. This visual paints a picture of unrestrained hostility and the complete vulnerability of the victims. Furthermore, the phrase "All our enemies" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the opposition, suggesting that the entire world seemed to be against them. The verse also implicitly uses **Symbolism**, where the "opened mouths" symbolize the psychological warfare waged by the victors, adding profound emotional and spiritual pain to the physical devastation of conquest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse resonates deeply with the biblical theme of the suffering of the righteous and the people of God at the hands of their adversaries. It highlights that persecution is not always physical; verbal abuse, mockery, and slander are potent weapons that inflict deep wounds, impacting one's dignity, spirit, and sense of worth. The lamenter's cry reflects a common experience throughout Scripture where God's faithful are subjected to the scorn of the ungodly, often feeling abandoned or unheard by God. Yet, the broader theological context of Lamentations, particularly the pivot in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "God's Steadfast Love and Mercies"), reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming opposition and humiliation, God's steadfast love and mercies do not cease. This suffering, while agonizing, is often part of a divine process of discipline or purification, ultimately leading to a deeper reliance on God and His eventual vindication. The "opened mouths" of enemies serve as a stark reminder of the world's hostility towards those who belong to God, a hostility that the Lord Himself experienced.

* [Psalm 35:21](/psalms/35-21 "Psalm 35:21 - Enemies Mocking David")
* [Psalm 22:7-8](/psalms/22-7-8 "Psalm 22:7-8 - Mockery of the Suffering Servant")
* [Nehemiah 4:1](/nehemiah/4-1 "Nehemiah 4:1 - Sanballat's Mockery of the Jews")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:46 offers a poignant mirror for contemporary believers facing various forms of opposition. In a world where public discourse is often characterized by vitriol, slander, and "cancel culture," the experience of being subjected to "opened mouths" is deeply relatable. This verse invites us to acknowledge the profound pain and spiritual toll of verbal assaults, whether from personal adversaries, societal critics, or those hostile to faith. It encourages empathy for those who are marginalized, ridiculed, or slandered for their convictions, reminding us that words can inflict wounds as deep as physical blows. Furthermore, it challenges us to cultivate resilience and to remember that our ultimate vindication comes not from silencing our accusers, but from God's righteous judgment and steadfast love. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the power of our own tongues, urging us to use our words to build up, encourage, and speak truth in love, rather than to tear down or mock, reflecting the character of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the experience of verbal assault, as described in this verse, resonate with challenges you or others face today?**
* **In what ways can we respond to mockery or slander in a manner that honors God, even when it feels deeply painful?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of empathy for those who are publicly humiliated or oppressed?**

### FAQ
**Why is verbal abuse highlighted as a significant form of suffering in this verse?**

Answer: Verbal abuse, particularly mockery and slander, is highlighted because it inflicts deep psychological and spiritual wounds that go beyond physical harm. In ancient cultures, public shaming and ridicule were powerful tools of subjugation, stripping individuals and nations of their dignity and honor. For the people of Judah, the "opened mouths" of their enemies symbolized not only their military defeat but also the perceived abandonment by their God and the utter collapse of their national identity. It was a profound form of humiliation that added insult to the injury of physical destruction, emphasizing their complete vulnerability and the depth of their despair, as seen throughout [the Book of Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "The Book of Lamentations - A Lament Over Jerusalem's Destruction").

**How does this verse relate to God's justice or intervention?**

Answer: While [Lamentations 3:46](/lamentations/3-46 "Lamentations 3:46 - Enemies' Mockery") focuses on the immediate suffering and the enemies' triumph, the broader context of Lamentations, especially the hopeful pivot in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "God's Steadfast Love and Mercies"), points towards God's ultimate justice and intervention. The lamenter's cry is a plea to God, an appeal for Him to see their suffering and act. Theologically, God is understood to be sovereign even over the actions of hostile nations, using them as instruments of discipline, but ultimately holding them accountable for their malice. This verse implicitly sets the stage for a divine response, where God will eventually "plead their cause" and bring judgment upon those who revile His people, as promised in passages like [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:46 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, the true Suffering Servant. Just as the people of Judah endured the "opened mouths" of their enemies, Jesus, in His passion, was subjected to an unparalleled torrent of verbal abuse, mockery, and slander. From the religious leaders who scoffed at Him (e.g., [Matthew 27:41](/matthew/27-41 "Matthew 27:41 - Chief Priests Mock Jesus")) to the soldiers who ridiculed Him (e.g., [Mark 15:29-32](/mark/15-29-32 "Mark 15:29-32 - Those Who Passed By Reviled Him")), and even the criminals crucified alongside Him (e.g., [Luke 23:39](/luke/23-39 "Luke 23:39 - One of the Criminals Reviled Him")), "all His enemies" opened their mouths against Him. He was mocked for His claims to be the Son of God, challenged to save Himself, and reviled in His deepest agony. Yet, unlike Judah, who cried out in despair, Jesus often remained silent in the face of His accusers, fulfilling prophecies of the Suffering Servant who "opened not his mouth" (e.g., [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Led Like a Lamb to the Slaughter")). His endurance of this verbal assault, alongside His physical suffering, was part of His atoning work, absorbing the full weight of human sin and the world's hostility. His ultimate triumph over death transformed the shame of the cross into glory, demonstrating that God's ultimate vindication comes not through human might, but through the sacrificial love of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who silenced the accusations of sin and death forever.

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

Lamentations 2:16

All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed [her] up: certainly this [is] the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen [it].

Psalms 22:6

But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Psalms 22:8

He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Matthew 27:38

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Matthew 27:45

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Psalms 79:4

We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

Exodus 11:7

But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.