Lamentations 3:48

KJV

Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

KJV (with Strong's)

Mine eye {H5869} runneth down {H3381} with rivers {H6388} of water {H4325} for the destruction {H7667} of the daughter {H1323} of my people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My eyes stream with rivers of water over the destruction of the daughter of my people."

Berean Standard Bible

Streams of tears flow from my eyes over the destruction of the daughter of my people.

American Standard Version

Mine eye runneth down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:48 powerfully portrays the prophet's profound and unceasing sorrow over the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the immense suffering inflicted upon its inhabitants. Through vivid imagery, the verse communicates an overwhelming, continuous outpouring of tears, akin to rivers, symbolizing the depth of grief for the devastation that has befallen the beloved people of Judah. It encapsulates a lament born from deep empathy and personal identification with a nation in ruins.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3:48 is situated within the third chapter of Lamentations, which stands out as the longest and most structured chapter, an acrostic poem composed of three-line stanzas, with each line beginning with the same Hebrew letter. This particular verse is part of a section (Lamentations 3:42-54) where the speaker, often identified as Jeremiah, directly addresses God, confessing sin and acknowledging divine judgment, yet also expressing the profound personal anguish and physical suffering experienced as a result of the calamity. The preceding verses detail the speaker's personal affliction and the relentless nature of God's judgment, making the outpouring of tears in verse 48 a natural and intense emotional climax to the description of suffering. Following this verse, the speaker continues to cry out to God, recalling the depths of his despair and the near-fatal circumstances he faced, before pivoting to a renewed expression of hope in God's faithfulness later in the chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah and serves as a poetic dirge composed in the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This cataclysmic event resulted in the complete destruction of the city, including the revered Temple, the seat of Israelite worship and national identity. The populace endured famine, siege, slaughter, and subsequent exile to Babylon. Culturally, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple was not merely a political or military defeat but a profound theological crisis, challenging the people's understanding of God's covenant promises and presence. Jeremiah, as a prophet who had warned of this judgment for decades, now bears witness to its horrific fulfillment, embodying the collective grief of a people whose world has been shattered. The imagery of weeping and lament was a deeply ingrained cultural practice for expressing sorrow, especially in times of national tragedy, reflecting a communal mourning process.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:48 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Overwhelming Grief and Lament**, where the sheer volume of tears ("rivers of water") underscores the immeasurable sorrow over national catastrophe. This intense personal suffering of the prophet mirrors and embodies the collective pain of the nation. Another crucial theme is **Identification with Suffering**, as the prophet's tears are not for himself alone but "for the destruction of the daughter of my people," highlighting a deep empathy and solidarity with the afflicted. This echoes the prophetic tradition where the prophet often personified the nation's spiritual and physical state, as seen in Jeremiah's other laments, such as his desire for a "fountain of tears" in [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Lament Over His People"). Furthermore, the verse implicitly points to the theme of **Divine Judgment and its Consequences**, as the "destruction" is understood within Lamentations as the direct result of Judah's persistent sin and rebellion against God's covenant, a theme powerfully articulated throughout the prophetic books, including [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **eye (Hebrew, _ʻayin'_):** (H5869) This word refers to the physical organ of sight, but as the ground truth data indicates, it can also metaphorically represent a fountain or spring (as the "eye of the landscape"). In this context, it is the source from which the prophet's tears flow, emphasizing the personal and internal origin of his profound sorrow. The imagery of an "eye" as a wellspring reinforces the idea of an inexhaustible supply of tears.
* **runneth down (Hebrew, _yârad'_):** (H3381) A primitive root meaning "to descend" or "to go downwards." Here, it vividly describes the continuous, unrestrained flow of tears. The verb implies a natural, unforced movement, suggesting that the tears are not merely shed but pour forth in an uncontrollable torrent, reflecting the overwhelming nature of the prophet's grief. Its causative sense ("to bring down") can also subtly hint at the weight of sorrow that causes such an outpouring.
* **destruction (Hebrew, _sheber'_):** (H7667) This term denotes a "fracture" or "ruin," specifically referring to the catastrophic breaking or shattering of something. In Lamentations 3:48, it points to the utter devastation of Jerusalem and the Judahite people. It's not just damage but a complete collapse, signifying the profound and irreversible loss that is the direct cause of the prophet's intense sorrow. The word encapsulates the physical, social, and spiritual ruin experienced by the nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Mine eye runneth down":** This opening clause immediately establishes the deeply personal and visceral nature of the prophet's grief. The "eye" is the window to the soul, and its continuous "running down" signifies an internal wellspring of sorrow that cannot be contained. It speaks to a profound emotional and spiritual anguish that manifests physically through an unceasing flow of tears.
* **"with rivers of water":** This is a powerful hyperbole, transforming the natural flow of tears into an image of vast, uncontrollable waterways. It moves beyond mere weeping to convey an almost cosmic scale of sorrow, suggesting an immeasurable and relentless outpouring of grief. The "rivers" emphasize both the quantity and the continuity of the tears, indicating that the prophet's sorrow is not fleeting but constant and overwhelming.
* **"for the destruction":** This clause explicitly states the cause of the prophet's immense sorrow. The "destruction" refers to the utter ruin and devastation that has befallen Jerusalem and Judah. It encompasses the loss of life, the razing of the city and Temple, the disruption of covenant life, and the shattering of national identity. This single word encapsulates the catastrophic events that form the backdrop of the entire book of Lamentations.
* **"of the daughter of my people":** This poetic and tender phrase personifies Judah or Jerusalem as a beloved female figure, emphasizing the intimate and familial bond the prophet feels with his nation. "My people" highlights his deep identification and solidarity with their suffering. The use of "daughter" adds a layer of vulnerability and pathos, making the "destruction" even more tragic and personal, as if grieving for a beloved child or kin.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:48 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional impact. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, evident in the phrase "rivers of water." This exaggeration vividly conveys the immeasurable and continuous nature of the prophet's tears, far beyond what is physically possible, thereby underscoring the overwhelming depth of his sorrow. **Imagery** is also powerfully employed, painting a picture of an eye overflowing with tears like a gushing river, creating a strong sensory experience for the reader that evokes empathy. Furthermore, **Personification** is used in the phrase "the daughter of my people," which tenderly refers to Judah or Jerusalem as a female figure. This device imbues the nation with human qualities, making its suffering and destruction more relatable and heartbreaking, transforming a political entity into a beloved, vulnerable individual for whom the prophet grieves.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:48, while a profound expression of personal grief, resonates with significant theological truths. It underscores the biblical reality that sin has devastating consequences, leading to judgment and destruction, yet it also highlights God's profound empathy, as reflected in the prophet's own tears. The prophet's willingness to weep with such intensity for his people mirrors, in a human way, God's own sorrow over the rebellion and suffering of His creation. This verse serves as a poignant reminder that genuine faith does not shy away from lament in the face of tragedy, but rather embraces it as a valid, even necessary, response to a broken world, while simultaneously holding onto the hope of God's enduring mercy, which is explored later in this very chapter.

* [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Weeping for His People")
* [Psalm 137:1](/psalms/137-1 "Psalm 137:1 - Weeping by the Rivers of Babylon")
* [Romans 12:15](/romans/12-15 "Romans 12:15 - Weep with Those Who Weep")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:48 offers a profound invitation to engage with suffering, both personal and communal, with raw honesty and deep empathy. In a world often prone to superficiality or the suppression of pain, this verse validates the experience of profound grief and lament as a legitimate and even necessary human response to loss and destruction. It challenges us to move beyond mere observation of suffering to a posture of genuine identification, allowing the pain of others, particularly those within our spiritual family or community, to move us to tears and compassionate action. The prophet's tears remind us that sorrow, when acknowledged and expressed, can be a pathway to deeper spiritual understanding and a catalyst for seeking God's mercy and intervention, even amidst desolation. It calls us to cultivate a heart that weeps with those who weep, recognizing that such empathy is a hallmark of a life transformed by God's love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond to profound loss or suffering, both in my own life and in the lives of others?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper sense of empathy and solidarity with those who are experiencing "destruction" or deep sorrow in my community or the world?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the spiritual value of lament and honest expression of grief before God?**
* **How does the prophet's identification with "the daughter of my people" challenge me to engage with the pain of the collective body of Christ or my broader community?**

### FAQ

**What does "the daughter of my people" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The daughter of my people" (Hebrew: _bat-'ammī_) is a common and tender poetic device used in Hebrew scripture to personify a nation, city, or group of people, often specifically Judah or Jerusalem. It adds a layer of intimacy, vulnerability, and familial affection to the reference. In Lamentations 3:48, it signifies the prophet's deep personal identification and profound empathy for the people of Judah, who are experiencing the devastating consequences of the Babylonian conquest and exile. He is grieving not as an detached observer, but as one who is intimately connected to their suffering.

**Is the imagery of "rivers of water" literal or figurative?**

Answer: The imagery of "rivers of water" is a powerful **hyperbole**, a literary device involving extreme exaggeration for emphasis. While the prophet undoubtedly shed many tears, the phrase is not meant to be taken literally as actual rivers flowing from his eyes. Instead, it vividly conveys the overwhelming, continuous, and immeasurable depth of his sorrow. It emphasizes that his grief is so profound and relentless that it feels like an endless, uncontrollable outpouring, akin to the vastness of a river. This strong figurative language underscores the intensity of the national tragedy and the prophet's personal anguish.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:48, with its raw depiction of overwhelming grief for a suffering people, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as the prophet wept for the "daughter of my people," so too did Jesus weep over Jerusalem, lamenting its spiritual blindness and impending destruction, as recorded in [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem"). This demonstrates Christ's perfect empathy and solidarity with humanity's suffering, a compassion far exceeding that of any prophet. Furthermore, the "destruction" lamented in Lamentations ultimately points to the greater destruction of sin and death that Jesus bore on the cross. He became the ultimate "suffering servant," taking upon Himself the consequences of humanity's rebellion, so that through His sacrifice, the true "destruction" of God's wrath might pass over His people ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant")). His tears in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")) and His cry from the cross represent the deepest possible identification with the pain and separation caused by sin, ultimately leading to the restoration of God's people. Through Christ, the lament of Lamentations transforms into the hope of redemption, where every tear will one day be wiped away ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")).

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 2:11

Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.

Jeremiah 9:1

¶ Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Lamentations 2:18

Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.

Jeremiah 13:17

But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for [your] pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

Jeremiah 9:18

And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

Psalms 119:136

¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Jeremiah 4:19

¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.