Lamentations 3:5

KJV

He hath builded against me, and compassed [me] with gall and travail.

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath builded against {H1129} me, and compassed {H5362} me with gall {H7219} and travail {H8513}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He has besieged and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.

Berean Standard Bible

He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.

American Standard Version

He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:5 vividly portrays the speaker's profound anguish and overwhelming sense of being besieged by suffering, expressing, "He hath builded against me, and compassed [me] with gall and travail." This verse, situated within a deeply personal lament, captures the feeling of inescapable pain and distress, attributing the intensity of the affliction directly to God's perceived adversarial actions, thereby conveying a state of utter desolation and bitterness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations Chapter 3 marks a significant shift within the book, moving from a collective lament over Jerusalem's destruction (Chapters 1-2) to a deeply personal and individual expression of suffering. The speaker, often identified as "the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath" in [Lamentations 3:1](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1 - The Man Who Has Seen Affliction"), embodies the collective pain of Judah. Verses like [Lamentations 3:1-9](/lamentations/3-1-9 "Lamentations 3:1-9 - The Affliction of the Man") describe God as an active agent in the suffering, building barriers, enclosing the speaker, and making their way crooked. Verse 5, with its imagery of being "builded against" and "compassed," fits seamlessly into this narrative of divine opposition and inescapable distress, setting the stage for the raw honesty of the lament that precedes the surprising turn towards hope later in the chapter, as seen in [Lamentations 3:21-26](/lamentations/3-21-26 "Lamentations 3:21-26 - The Lord's Faithfulness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Babylonian army in 586 BC. This event was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis, as it shattered the people's understanding of God's covenant promises and His dwelling among them. The imagery of being "builded against" and "compassed" directly reflects the experience of a besieged city. Jerusalem had endured a prolonged and brutal siege, leading to famine, disease, and ultimately, its complete devastation, as detailed in [2 Kings 25:1-10](/2_kings/25-1-10 "2 Kings 25:1-10 - The Siege and Fall of Jerusalem"). The cultural understanding of the time often attributed national calamities directly to divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. Thus, the speaker's perception of God as the one "building against" him underscores the profound theological implications of the disaster, viewing it as a deliberate act of divine retribution rather than mere misfortune.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes in Lamentations. Firstly, it powerfully conveys the theme of **Divine Agency in Suffering**. The repeated use of "He" (referring to God) throughout this chapter indicates the speaker's perception that their immense suffering is not random but divinely ordained or permitted. This acknowledges God's sovereignty even over hardship, a difficult but crucial theological point in the face of such devastation. Secondly, the phrases "builded against me" and "compassed me" evoke the theme of **Overwhelming Encirclement and Inescapable Pain**. Just as a city is surrounded and fortified against, the speaker feels trapped and besieged by their pain, with no escape, mirroring the actual physical siege of Jerusalem. Thirdly, "gall and travail" symbolize the theme of **Profound Bitterness and Hardship**. This speaks to a life consumed by misery and arduous affliction, much like the "water of gall" or "wormwood" often used in Scripture to denote severe judgment and sorrow, as seen in [Jeremiah 9:15](/jeremiah/9-15 "Jeremiah 9:15 - Water of Gall and Wormwood - God's Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **builded (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** A primitive root (H1129) meaning "to build" (literally and figuratively). While typically conveying construction or creation, its use in the context of "against me" here takes on a sinister, adversarial connotation. It suggests a deliberate, strategic, and systematic construction of barriers or siege works designed to inflict distress and entrapment, rather than for protection or flourishing.
* **compassed (Hebrew, _nâqaph'_):** A primitive root (H5362) meaning "to strike with more or less violence," and by implication, "to knock together, i.e., surround or circulate." This word powerfully reinforces the imagery of a siege. It implies being hemmed in, encircled, or struck repeatedly by adversity, leaving no avenue for escape or relief. The action is forceful and complete, indicating a thorough and inescapable encirclement by suffering.
* **gall (Hebrew, _rôʼsh'_):** Refers to a poisonous plant (H7219), probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head), or, more generally, poison or venom. In this context, "gall" is a potent metaphor for extreme bitterness, anguish, and a sense of toxic affliction that pervades the speaker's very being. It signifies a deep, internal, and pervasive suffering that is not merely external but has poisoned the soul.
* **travail (Hebrew, _tᵉlâʼâh'_):** From H8513, meaning "distress," "travail," "travel," or "trouble." This term denotes painful toil, hardship, misery, or distress. It conveys the burdensome, exhausting, and laborious nature of the suffering, suggesting a continuous, arduous struggle that drains one's strength and hope. It is not a fleeting pain but a persistent, wearisome affliction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath builded against me":** This clause attributes the suffering directly to God ("He"), portraying Him not as a protector but as an architect of affliction. The verb "builded" (bânâh) suggests a deliberate, methodical, and strong construction, implying that God has systematically erected barriers or siege works specifically designed to confine and distress the speaker. This imagery evokes the feeling of being trapped within a divinely orchestrated prison of sorrow, with no means of escape.
* **"and compassed [me] with gall and travail":** This second clause further intensifies the sense of inescapable suffering. The word "compassed" (nâqaph) reinforces the idea of being completely surrounded or besieged. The instruments of this encirclement are "gall" (rôʼsh), symbolizing profound bitterness and spiritual poison, and "travail" (tᵉlâʼâh), representing painful toil, hardship, and exhausting misery. Together, these elements paint a picture of an individual utterly overwhelmed and permeated by a bitter, toxic, and debilitating affliction from which there is no relief.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:5 is rich in **Imagery**, primarily drawing on the experience of a besieged city to convey the speaker's internal state. The phrases "builded against me" and "compassed me" create a vivid mental picture of fortifications being erected to trap and enclose, mirroring the historical reality of Jerusalem's siege. This is a powerful **Metaphor**, where God is depicted as an enemy general or engineer constructing siege works, and the speaker's internal suffering is externalized as a physical encirclement. The terms "gall" and "travail" are also potent **Metaphors** for the profound bitterness, anguish, and exhausting hardship experienced. "Gall" specifically employs **Symbolism** for poison or extreme bitterness, while "travail" symbolizes the heavy burden of suffering. The verse also uses **Hyperbole** to express the extremity of the speaker's despair, exaggerating the sense of being utterly consumed and surrounded by pain to emphasize its overwhelming nature. The direct attribution of such intense suffering to God also employs a form of **Anthropomorphism**, as divine action is described in human terms of building and encircling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:5 offers a raw, unfiltered expression of human suffering, particularly when it feels divinely inflicted. It grapples with the profound theological tension of God's sovereignty over both blessing and calamity, a theme explored throughout the Old Testament. The speaker's honest lament acknowledges God's hand in their distress, even as they express the deepest anguish. This verse resonates with the biblical tradition of lament, where individuals and communities bring their pain, confusion, and even accusations directly to God, trusting that such honesty is permissible and can ultimately lead to renewed hope. It highlights that faith does not preclude profound sorrow or questioning, but rather provides the framework for processing it. The "gall and travail" speak to the pervasive and bitter nature of sin's consequences and God's righteous judgment, yet within the broader context of Lamentations 3, this deep despair eventually gives way to a profound declaration of God's steadfast love and mercies, which are new every morning.

* [Job 6:4](/job/6-4 "Job 6:4 - The Arrows of the Almighty")
* [Psalm 88:7](/psalms/88-7 "Psalm 88:7 - God's Wrath Lies Hard Upon Me")
* [Jeremiah 9:15](/jeremiah/9-15 "Jeremiah 9:15 - Water of Gall and Wormwood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:5 provides a profound validation for those experiencing overwhelming suffering, particularly when circumstances feel inescapable or even divinely ordained. It reminds us that it is not only permissible but often spiritually necessary to voice deep anguish and despair honestly before God, even when our feelings involve perceiving Him as the source of affliction. This verse encourages a radical honesty in prayer, demonstrating that authentic faith can coexist with profound pain and questioning. For the modern believer, it offers solidarity, assuring us that our darkest moments of despair are understood within the biblical narrative of suffering. It challenges us to cultivate empathy for those who feel trapped by their "gall and travail," prompting us to listen without judgment and offer compassionate support. Ultimately, while this verse articulates deep despair, it is part of a larger chapter that pivots to hope, reminding us that even in the lowest valleys, God's faithfulness endures, and honest lament can be a pathway to discovering His mercies anew.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of being "builded against" and "compassed" resonate with your own experiences of feeling overwhelmed or trapped by life's difficulties?**
* **In what ways do you find it challenging or liberating to express raw, honest feelings, including anger or despair, to God in prayer?**
* **What does Lamentations 3:5 teach us about the nature of suffering and the sovereignty of God, even when His actions seem adversarial?**
* **How can understanding this verse help us to better empathize with and support others who are experiencing profound "gall and travail"?**

### FAQ
**Why does the speaker attribute suffering directly to God in this verse?**

Answer: The speaker attributes suffering directly to God because, in the ancient Israelite worldview, God was understood to be sovereign over all events, both good and bad. Calamities, especially those of the magnitude experienced by Judah (the destruction of Jerusalem), were often interpreted as divine judgment for the nation's sins against the covenant. Therefore, the prophet's lament is not an accusation of injustice, but an acknowledgment of God's ultimate control and agency, even in bringing about severe discipline. This perspective is common in prophetic literature, where God is depicted as actively involved in the historical consequences of His people's actions, as seen in [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Creates Both Light and Darkness, Prosperity and Disaster") which states, "I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things."

**What do "gall and travail" truly represent in this context?**

Answer: "Gall" (Hebrew _rôʼsh_) literally refers to a poisonous plant or venom, and "travail" (Hebrew _tᵉlâʼâh_) signifies distress, painful toil, or misery. Together, they are powerful metaphors representing the deepest, most bitter, and most exhausting forms of suffering. "Gall" speaks to an internal, toxic anguish that poisons one's spirit, while "travail" describes the relentless, burdensome, and draining nature of the affliction. They signify not just physical pain, but a comprehensive, soul-crushing experience of hardship that leaves one feeling utterly overwhelmed and devoid of hope, mirroring the profound national and personal desolation after Jerusalem's fall. This imagery is consistent with other biblical uses, such as in [Deuteronomy 29:18](/deuteronomy/29-18 "Deuteronomy 29:18 - A Root Bearing Poisonous Fruit"), where a "root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit" symbolizes apostasy leading to severe judgment.

**How can this verse be comforting if it speaks of such despair?**

Answer: While Lamentations 3:5 expresses profound despair, its comfort lies in its raw honesty and validation of human suffering. It assures those in deep distress that their feelings of being overwhelmed, abandoned, or even afflicted by God are not unique or unbiblical. The Bible, through this verse, gives voice to the darkest human experiences, allowing believers to bring their full, unvarnished pain before God. Furthermore, this verse is part of a larger chapter that, despite its initial despair, pivots to a powerful declaration of God's enduring faithfulness and mercy ([Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21-23 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - The Lord's Mercies Never Come to an End")). Thus, the verse serves as a realistic starting point for lament, which, in the biblical tradition, often leads to renewed hope and trust in God's character, even when His ways are inscrutable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:5, with its poignant portrayal of being "builded against" and "compassed with gall and travail," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the prophet laments the suffering of Judah, Christ Himself became the ultimate "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). On the cross, Jesus was truly "builded against" by the forces of sin, death, and even the wrath of God against humanity's rebellion. He was "compassed" not merely by physical pain, but by the full weight of the world's sin, becoming sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The "gall" of bitterness and poison finds its physical manifestation when Jesus was offered sour wine mixed with gall on the cross ([Matthew 27:34](/matthew/27-34 "Matthew 27:34 - Jesus Offered Gall")), symbolizing the depths of the bitter cup of God's judgment He willingly drank. The "travail" speaks to the agonizing labor and distress He endured, from the Gethsemane anguish to the final cry of dereliction, bearing the full burden of humanity's separation from God. In His suffering, Christ fully entered into the depths of human despair, experiencing the ultimate lament, not for His own sin, but for ours. Through His complete identification with our "gall and travail," He became our sympathetic High Priest ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Our Sympathetic High Priest")), offering not just empathy but the pathway to redemption and true hope beyond all suffering.

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 3:19

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.

Jeremiah 23:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

Job 19:8

¶ He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.

Jeremiah 9:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, [even] this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

Psalms 69:21

They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Jeremiah 8:14

Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

Lamentations 3:7

He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.