Lamentations 3:66

KJV

Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Persecute {H7291} and destroy {H8045} them in anger {H639} from under the heavens {H8064} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pursue them in anger! Destroy them from under your heavens!

Berean Standard Bible

You will pursue them in anger and exterminate them from under Your heavens, O LORD.

American Standard Version

Thou wilt pursue them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:66 serves as the climactic and concluding plea in a chapter that traverses profound personal suffering and a remarkable pivot to divine hope, ultimately returning to an impassioned cry for justice. This verse encapsulates the deep anguish of the lamenter, traditionally identified as Jeremiah, appealing to God to actively pursue and utterly destroy the oppressors of Judah. It is a fervent request for divine retribution, executed in righteous anger and from the full scope of God's cosmic authority, as a just recompense for the severe wickedness and devastation inflicted upon Jerusalem and its people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3 stands as a unique and structurally intricate poem within the book, distinguished by its acrostic form where each of the 22 Hebrew letters initiates three consecutive verses. The chapter opens with the lamenter's raw and intense personal suffering, vividly depicting his desolate state (verses 1-18). A pivotal shift then occurs, moving into a profound declaration of unwavering hope and trust in God's unfailing mercies and enduring faithfulness (verses 19-40), particularly highlighted in the well-known confession of God's steadfast love and mercies being new every morning ([Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Steadfast Love and Mercies")). The narrative then transitions back to a communal lament, culminating in an impassioned and persistent plea for divine intervention against the enemies who have caused such devastation (verses 41-66). Verse 66 functions as the powerful, climactic conclusion to this final section, providing a stark contrast to the preceding hope by expressing a raw, yet righteous, desire for God's judgment against those who inflicted such profound suffering and mockery upon His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC. This event was far more than a mere military defeat; it represented a profound theological crisis for Judah, as it appeared to contradict God's covenant promises of protection and presence. The surviving populace endured unspeakable horrors, including famine, prolonged siege, widespread slaughter, and forced exile. Within this dire context, the call for divine retribution, as expressed in Lamentations 3:66, was deeply rooted in the Old Testament understanding of covenant curses and blessings (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")) and the unwavering belief that God is a just judge who would ultimately vindicate His suffering people and punish their oppressors. The enemies had not only caused immense physical destruction but had also mocked God's people and, by extension, God Himself (cf. [Lamentations 2:15-16](/lamentations/2-15-16 "Lamentations 2:15-16 - The Enemy's Taunts")), intensifying the plea for decisive divine justice.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:66 powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within the book of Lamentations and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, articulating a profound and desperate longing for God to act decisively against injustice and wickedness. This is not a call for personal vengeance, but for the righteous judgment of the Sovereign Lord. Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Sovereignty and Universal Authority**, particularly through the phrase "from under the heavens of the LORD," emphasizing that the plea is directed to the supreme ruler of all creation, whose judgment is final, universal, and inescapable. Thirdly, it touches upon the theme of **Righteous Anger**, portraying God's indignation not as capricious human wrath but as a holy and morally warranted response to severe sin, oppression, and defiance of His covenant. This ensures that evil will not go unpunished and that God's character as both merciful and just, as seen throughout the entire chapter of [Lamentations 3](/lamentations/3 "Lamentations 3 - The Lord's Mercies Endure"), remains consistent.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Persecute (Hebrew, _râdaph'_):** From H7291, a primitive root meaning "to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by); chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r)." In Lamentations 3:66, the imperative form of _râdaph_ is used, transforming the verb from describing the enemies' past actions (their relentless persecution of Judah) into a fervent prayer for God to "pursue" or "persecute" them in turn. It signifies an active, relentless, and divinely ordained pursuit of consequences upon the oppressors, mirroring the relentless suffering they inflicted upon God's people.
* **destroy (Hebrew, _shâmad'_):** From H8045, a primitive root meaning "to desolate; destroy(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly." This is a powerful and comprehensive verb conveying absolute annihilation or ruination. Its use here indicates a desire for a complete and decisive end to the enemies' power, influence, and very existence, reflecting the utter desolation experienced by Judah. It is a plea for a total reversal of fortunes, a comprehensive and definitive divine judgment that leaves no room for the oppressors to continue their wickedness.
* **anger (Hebrew, _ʼaph'_):** From H639, properly "the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire; anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath." In this context, _ʼaph_ refers specifically to divine wrath or indignation. It emphasizes that the requested destruction is not arbitrary or born of human vindictiveness but flows from God's righteous character. It is a just and holy response to profound evil, injustice, and the mockery of His people and His name, ensuring that the judgment is morally warranted and consistent with God's nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Persecute and destroy them":** This phrase constitutes a direct, impassioned imperative addressed to God. It is a plea for active, relentless divine pursuit and complete annihilation of the enemies who have afflicted Judah. The conjunction of "persecute" (_râdaph_) and "destroy" (_shâmad_) emphasizes the totality and decisiveness of the desired judgment, reflecting the depth of the suffering experienced by the lamenter and his people at the hands of these oppressors. The verbs are strong, indicating a desire for a thorough and final end to the enemies' power and presence.
* **"in anger":** This phrase specifies the divine emotion and motivation accompanying the requested judgment. It is not a call for arbitrary or irrational vengeance but for God's righteous indignation. God's "anger" here is a holy attribute, a just and proportionate response to severe sin, pervasive injustice, and the blatant defiance of His authority and covenant. It ensures that the destruction is morally warranted and serves as a manifestation of divine justice against profound evil.
* **"from under the heavens of the LORD":** This concluding phrase highlights both the scope and the ultimate source of the requested judgment. "Under the heavens" signifies the entire created order, emphasizing God's universal dominion and supreme authority over all nations, peoples, and realms. The addition of "of the LORD" (YHWH, H3068) further reinforces that this judgment emanates from the covenant God of Israel, the self-Existent and Eternal One, whose sovereignty extends over all creation. This makes the judgment inescapable, comprehensive, and ultimately final, leaving no place for the oppressors to hide or escape divine reckoning.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:66 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the intensity of the lamenter's plea and the theological weight of his request. The most prominent is **Imprecation**, a prayer or curse invoking harm or judgment upon someone. Here, it is a fervent and direct appeal to God for judgment against the oppressors, a common and biblically legitimate feature found in many Old Testament laments and psalms. The verse also utilizes **Anthropomorphism** by attributing "anger" to God, describing a divine attribute in human terms to convey the intensity, righteousness, and personal nature of His response to evil and injustice. Furthermore, the phrase "from under the heavens of the LORD" functions as a form of **Merism** or **Hyperbole**, encompassing the entire created order to emphasize the absolute, universal, and inescapable nature of God's dominion and the comprehensive scope of His impending judgment. The stark contrast between the earlier expressions of hope and trust in God's mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23) and this concluding imprecation creates a powerful **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the raw emotional and spiritual journey of the lamenter, who, having anchored himself in God's faithfulness, then confidently appeals to His justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:66, as an imprecatory prayer, addresses the profound human desire for justice in the face of overwhelming evil and suffering. It affirms God's character as a righteous judge who sees, hears, and will ultimately respond to injustice. While challenging for New Testament believers who are called to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors, this verse reminds us that God's holiness necessitates a response to sin and oppression. It is a cry for the vindication of God's name and His suffering people, trusting that ultimate retribution belongs to Him alone. This passage serves as a theological anchor for understanding that God's justice is an essential and active aspect of His nature, ensuring that evil will not triumph indefinitely and that there will be a final reckoning for all unrighteousness.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")
* [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:66 presents a raw, honest expression of human anguish and a desperate plea for divine justice in the face of unimaginable suffering. For contemporary believers, understanding such imprecatory passages requires acknowledging the historical context of extreme oppression and the theological conviction that God is a just judge. While the New Testament calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, this verse reminds us that there is a legitimate longing for justice in the human heart, and that God indeed will ultimately right all wrongs. It teaches us to entrust our deepest hurts, our desires for vindication, and our cries against injustice to the Lord, trusting in His perfect timing and righteous judgment, rather than seeking personal revenge or harboring bitterness. It encourages us to lament injustice authentically before God, knowing He hears and sees, and to rest in His ultimate sovereignty over all things, including the final destiny of those who defy Him. This passage invites us to cultivate a deep trust in God's perfect justice, which frees us from the burden of carrying grudges or seeking retribution ourselves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I reconcile the call for divine destruction in this verse with the New Testament command to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me?**
* **In what ways can I honestly express my pain and desire for justice to God without succumbing to personal bitterness or the desire for vengeance?**
* **How does trusting in God's ultimate justice, as expressed in this verse, free me from the burden of seeking retribution myself?**
* **What does this verse reveal about the character of God, particularly His holiness and justice, that is important for my faith and understanding of His sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible contain such strong prayers for destruction, like Lamentations 3:66?**

Answer: Prayers like Lamentations 3:66, often called imprecatory prayers, are found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., many Psalms). They reflect the raw, honest cries of people who have experienced profound injustice, violence, and oppression, often at the hands of those who defy God and mock His covenant. These prayers are not expressions of personal vindictiveness or a desire for private revenge, but rather appeals to God's character as a righteous judge. They acknowledge that vengeance belongs to the Lord alone ([Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")) and express a deep trust that God will ultimately bring justice and vindication for His suffering people. They are a recognition that evil and unrepentant defiance of God cannot go unpunished by a holy and just God, and they anticipate the day when all wrongs will be set right.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:66, with its fervent plea for divine judgment and the utter destruction of the oppressors, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in an immediate earthly retribution, but in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament lamenter cried out for God to "persecute and destroy" the wicked, the New Testament reveals that God's ultimate justice is perfectly embodied in Christ. He is the one who, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin on the cross, thereby providing a path for humanity to escape the very destruction sought in this verse. Yet, Christ is also depicted as the righteous Judge who will return in glory to execute final judgment. Passages like [Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations") and [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse") portray Christ as the one who will indeed "persecute and destroy" all unrighteousness, all rebellion, and all those who persistently refuse His grace, not merely "from under the heavens" but as the very Lord of the heavens and earth. Thus, the profound longing for justice expressed in Lamentations 3:66 is not abandoned but fully realized in Christ's future role as the one who will perfectly balance divine mercy and righteous judgment, bringing an end to all evil and establishing His eternal kingdom of justice and peace.

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

Psalms 8:3

¶ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

Jeremiah 10:11

Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, [even] they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

Lamentations 3:43

Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.

Deuteronomy 25:19

Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it, [that] thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget [it].

Psalms 115:16

The heaven, [even] the heavens, [are] the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

Isaiah 66:1

¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?

Psalms 73:15

¶ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.