Lamentations 3:53

KJV

They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.

KJV (with Strong's)

They have cut off {H6789} my life {H2416} in the dungeon {H953}, and cast {H3034} a stone {H68} upon me.

Complete Jewish Bible

They forced me alive into a pit and threw stones on me.

Berean Standard Bible

They dropped me alive into a pit and cast stones upon me.

American Standard Version

They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone upon me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:53 vividly portrays the speaker's profound anguish and despair, depicting a state of extreme imprisonment and the perceived termination of life. The imagery of being "cut off" in a "dungeon" and having a "stone cast upon" one powerfully conveys a sense of utter finality, isolation, and inescapable doom, reflecting the deepest human experience of abandonment and the brink of death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3 stands as the emotional and structural center of the book. While the preceding chapters lament the collective devastation of Jerusalem and its people, chapter 3 shifts to a deeply personal lament, often attributed to the prophet Jeremiah himself, or at least a representative figure embodying the nation's suffering. This chapter is unique in its intense focus on individual affliction, yet it remarkably pivots from the depths of despair (as seen in this verse) to a profound declaration of hope in God's steadfast love and mercies, beginning around [Lamentations 3:21](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21 - Hope in God's Mercies"). Verse 53 represents the nadir of the speaker's personal suffering before this pivotal turn.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations is a poetic response to the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE. This event marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian Exile. The "dungeon" (Hebrew: _bôwr_) mentioned in the verse refers to a common type of ancient prison, often a dry cistern or pit, which could be deep, dark, muddy, and extremely difficult to escape. Such pits were not only used for incarceration but also for disposing of bodies or for slow, agonizing deaths. The act of "casting a stone upon me" would signify sealing such a pit, much like sealing a tomb, making escape impossible and confirming a definitive, irreversible end. This imagery resonates deeply with the prophet Jeremiah's own experiences of imprisonment and being cast into a miry pit, as recorded in [Jeremiah 38:6](/jeremiah/38-6 "Jeremiah 38:6 - Jeremiah Cast into the Pit").
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:53 encapsulates several significant themes. It powerfully conveys **Profound Suffering and Despair**, illustrating a state where life itself feels extinguished and sealed away, beyond any hope of rescue. The "dungeon" symbolizes **Imprisonment and Isolation**, representing total confinement, separation from the living, and a place of slow, agonizing death, highlighting the speaker's utter helplessness. The phrase "They have cut off..." points to **Human Cruelty and Adversarial Action**, likely referring to the Babylonians or those within Jerusalem who persecuted the prophet, underscoring the brutality and injustice inflicted. Finally, the act of casting a stone signifies **Symbolic Death and Irreversibility**, reminiscent of sealing a tomb or a well, emphasizing a definitive and unceremonious end, as if the speaker is buried alive or condemned to an inescapable fate, a theme also explored in passages like [Psalm 88:4-6](/psalms/88-4 "Psalm 88:4-6 - Despair in the Pit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cut off (Hebrew, _tsâmath'_):** From the primitive root H6789, meaning "to extirpate (literally or figuratively); consume, cut off, destroy, vanish." In this context, it signifies the complete termination or extinction of life, implying an intent not merely to imprison but to utterly destroy existence. The active voice ("They have cut off") underscores the deliberate and violent nature of this act.
* **my life (Hebrew, _chay'_):** From H2416, meaning "alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively." Here, it refers directly to the speaker's vital existence, emphasizing the personal and existential threat. The cutting off of "my life" is a direct assault on the very essence of being.
* **dungeon (Hebrew, _bôwr'_):** From H953, meaning "a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison); cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well." This word vividly describes the physical location of the speaker's confinement—a dark, damp, often muddy pit, notorious for its difficulty of escape and its association with death and despair, reinforcing the sense of being buried alive.
* **stone (Hebrew, _ʼeben'_):** From H68, meaning "a stone." In this context, the stone is not merely a rock but a weighty object used to seal the entrance of the pit or dungeon. This act signifies an irreversible sealing, much like rolling a stone over a tomb, ensuring no escape and confirming the victim's condemnation to death within.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They have cut off my life in the dungeon":** This clause describes an active, violent termination of the speaker's existence by adversaries. The verb "cut off" implies a deliberate act of destruction, not just imprisonment. The "dungeon" provides the grim setting, a place of confinement and slow death, emphasizing the speaker's complete helplessness and isolation from the world of the living. It suggests a premature and unjust end to life.
* **"and cast a stone upon me":** This second clause intensifies the sense of finality and hopelessness. The act of "casting a stone" upon the speaker, likely over the opening of the dungeon, symbolizes the sealing of a tomb or a well, effectively entombing the speaker alive. This action underscores the irreversibility of the situation, signifying that all hope of rescue or escape has been definitively cut off, leaving the speaker to perish in darkness and despair.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:53 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of profound suffering. **Hyperbole** is evident in the declaration "They have cut off my life," as the speaker is clearly still alive to lament, yet the feeling of being utterly extinguished is so overwhelming that it is expressed as a literal termination. **Symbolism** is central, with the "dungeon" serving as a potent symbol not merely of a prison but of a grave or a place of death, while the "stone cast upon me" symbolizes the sealing of a tomb, representing irreversible doom and the finality of abandonment. The entire verse functions as a **Metaphor** for being buried alive, trapped in an inescapable situation, and stripped of all hope. The actions described are vivid and sensory, creating a strong **Imagery** of claustrophobia, darkness, and despair, drawing the reader into the speaker's agonizing experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while expressing the depths of human despair, paradoxically serves as a powerful testament to the reality of suffering within a theological framework that ultimately points to divine faithfulness. The speaker's profound sense of abandonment and imminent death resonates with the experience of Job, who similarly felt God had "hedged me about" and "walled up my ways" ([Job 19:8](/job/19-8 "Job 19:8 - Job's Complaint of Being Hemmed In")). It also highlights the consequences of sin and judgment, as the destruction of Jerusalem was understood as divine chastisement, yet the personal suffering here transcends mere punishment, touching on the mystery of innocent suffering amidst collective calamity. The "dungeon" and "stone" imagery evoke a sense of being utterly cut off from both human and divine help, a feeling that God has turned His face away. However, within the broader context of Lamentations 3, this extreme low point serves as the necessary prelude to the profound declaration of hope and God's enduring mercies that follow, demonstrating that even from the deepest pit, faith can find a foothold.

* [Psalm 40:2](/psalms/40-2 "Psalm 40:2 - Lifted from the Miry Pit")
* [Psalm 88:6](/psalms/88-6 "Psalm 88:6 - Cast into the Lowest Pit")
* [Jonah 2:6](/jonah/2-6 "Jonah 2:6 - Jonah's Descent to the Roots of the Mountains")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:53 offers a raw, unfiltered portrayal of profound despair, a feeling many can relate to when facing overwhelming circumstances, betrayal, or seemingly inescapable trials. It validates the experience of feeling utterly trapped, abandoned, and as if one's life force is being extinguished. This verse reminds us that the biblical narrative does not shy away from the darkest human experiences; it gives voice to them. While the imagery is bleak, it is crucial to remember that this lament is part of a larger chapter that pivots dramatically from despair to hope. The speaker, just a few verses later, declares, "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" ([Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - The Lord's Mercies are New Every Morning")). This progression teaches us that even when we feel sealed in our own "dungeons" of grief, anxiety, or persecution, God's unfailing love and mercy are constant and can bring deliverance. This verse, therefore, not only acknowledges the depths of human sorrow but also sets the stage for the glorious truth that God's faithfulness can lift us from the brink of death, much like the psalmist's cry of being [lifted out of the miry pit](/psalms/40-2 "Psalm 40:2 - Lifted Out of the Miry Pit").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "cut off" or "sealed in" by circumstances or emotions?**
* **How does this verse validate your own experiences of despair or feeling trapped?**
* **What hope can you draw from the fact that this verse, representing the lowest point, is followed by profound declarations of God's faithfulness in Lamentations 3?**
* **How might acknowledging deep suffering, as this verse does, prepare one to receive God's comfort and deliverance more fully?**

### FAQ

**Is the "dungeon" in Lamentations 3:53 a literal place or a metaphor?**

Answer: While the "dungeon" (Hebrew: _bôwr_) could refer to a literal pit or cistern used as a prison, as was common in ancient times and experienced by figures like Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 38:6](/jeremiah/38-6 "Jeremiah Cast into the Pit")), in Lamentations 3:53, it functions as both a literal and a powerful metaphorical representation. It describes the speaker's physical confinement and suffering, but also symbolizes the profound spiritual and emotional despair of being utterly trapped, isolated, and abandoned, as if buried alive. The "stone cast upon me" further emphasizes this metaphorical sealing, akin to a tomb.

**How does this verse relate to the overall message of Lamentations?**

Answer: Lamentations 3:53 represents the absolute nadir of despair within the book. It encapsulates the intense personal suffering of the speaker (often identified with Jeremiah) amidst the collective grief over Jerusalem's destruction. While it paints a bleak picture of hopelessness and perceived finality, it is strategically placed just before the pivotal turn in [Lamentations 3](/lamentations/3 "Lamentations 3 - The Pivot to Hope"). The profound darkness of this verse makes the subsequent declaration of God's unfailing mercies and faithfulness ([Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - God's Mercies Are New Every Morning")) all the more powerful and redemptive. It shows that even from the deepest pit of despair, hope in God can arise.

**Does this verse suggest God has abandoned the speaker?**

Answer: The verse powerfully conveys the *feeling* of abandonment and being cut off, both from human help and potentially from divine intervention. The speaker's perspective is one of extreme distress, where God's presence feels absent or even hostile. However, within the broader context of Lamentations 3, this feeling of abandonment is ultimately contrasted with the speaker's later realization of God's enduring faithfulness and compassion. The lament acknowledges the raw, painful reality of feeling forsaken, but it does not represent the final theological conclusion of the chapter or the book. The speaker's journey moves from this perceived abandonment to a renewed trust in God's steadfast love, as seen in [Lamentations 3:31-32](/lamentations/3-31 "Lamentations 3:31-32 - The Lord Will Not Cast Off Forever").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:53, with its vivid portrayal of life "cut off in the dungeon" and a "stone cast upon me," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the suffering, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. The prophet's lament foreshadows the experience of the Suffering Servant, who was "cut off out of the land of the living" ([Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - Cut Off from the Land of the Living")). Jesus, the Lamb of God, truly had His life extinguished, not in a mere dungeon, but through the agony of the cross and the darkness of death. He was placed in a tomb, and a large stone was indeed "cast upon" or rolled over its entrance, sealing Him in ([Matthew 27:59-60](/matthew/27-59 "Matthew 27:59-60 - Jesus' Burial")). This act signified the finality of His death and the sealing of the grave, just as the lamenter felt sealed in his pit. Yet, the Christ-centered fulfillment of this verse does not end in despair. For just as the lamenter found hope beyond the pit, Christ's being "cut off" and sealed in the tomb was not the end. His resurrection on the third day shattered the power of the dungeon of death, rolling away the stone and demonstrating His triumph over sin and the grave ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried with Christ and Raised")). Thus, the ultimate "cutting off" and "sealing" of Christ became the very means by which humanity's life was restored and the gates of true freedom opened, transforming a symbol of despair into the ultimate sign of divine victory and eternal life.

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

Jeremiah 38:9

My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for [there is] no more bread in the city.

Daniel 6:17

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

Jeremiah 38:6

Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that [was] in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon [there was] no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

Jeremiah 37:16

When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;

Jeremiah 37:20

Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.

Matthew 27:60

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Matthew 27:66

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.