Lamentations 5:22

KJV

But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.

KJV (with Strong's)

But thou hast utterly {H3988} rejected {H3988} us; thou art very {H3966} wroth {H7107} against us.

Complete Jewish Bible

unless you have totally rejected us in a fury that knows no limits. [ADONAI, turn us back to you; and we will come back; renew our days, as they were in the past.]

Berean Standard Bible

unless You have utterly rejected us and remain angry with us beyond measure.

American Standard Version

But thou hast utterly rejected us; Thou art very wroth against us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 5:22 brings the book to a poignant and stark conclusion, articulating the profound despair and perceived divine abandonment felt by the people of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem and their exile. This verse encapsulates their overwhelming sense that God has not only judged them severely but has also irrevocably cast them off, expressing a deep and seemingly final experience of divine wrath and rejection, leaving the reader with an unresolved cry of desolation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 5:22 serves as the climactic and concluding statement of the entire book, specifically the fifth and final lament. This chapter, unlike the preceding acrostic poems, is a communal prayer (or lament) of the survivors, pleading with God to "remember" their plight and "turn" them back to Him, as expressed in [Lamentations 5:21](/lamentations/5-21 "Lamentations 5:21 - A Plea for Restoration"). The preceding verses in chapter 5 detail the horrific suffering, humiliation, and desolation experienced by the people—their hunger, the loss of their leaders, the violation of their women, and the pervasive absence of joy. The abrupt, despairing ending of verse 22, following a plea for restoration, creates a powerful rhetorical effect, leaving the reader with the raw, unresolved anguish of a people who feel utterly forsaken, contrasting sharply with the glimmers of hope found earlier in the book, such as in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Steadfast Love"). This final verse underscores the depth of their suffering and the perceived finality of God's judgment, making the book a profound expression of grief and unanswered questions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations directly addresses the catastrophic events of 586 BC, when the Babylonian army, under Nebuchadnezzar, besieged and utterly destroyed Jerusalem, including Solomon's Temple, and subsequently exiled a significant portion of its population to Babylon. This was not merely a military defeat but a theological crisis for Israel. Jerusalem was considered the dwelling place of God, the city of David, and the Temple was the symbol of God's covenant presence among His people. Its destruction, along with the subsequent exile, shattered their understanding of divine protection and covenant promises. Culturally, the act of lament was a recognized and vital form of expressing grief, appealing to God, and processing national trauma within ancient Near Eastern societies, particularly in Israelite worship and prophecy. The intensity of the language in [Lamentations 5:22](/lamentations/5-22 "Lamentations 5:22 - The Cry of Rejection") reflects the profound theological and existential shock of experiencing God's judgment so directly and devastatingly, leading to a questioning of their very identity and relationship with Him.
* **Key Themes:** [Lamentations 5:22](/lamentations/5-22 "Lamentations 5:22 - A Cry of Despair") powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, explicitly stating God's "wrath" as the cause of their suffering. This aligns with the prophetic warnings found in the Mosaic covenant, particularly the curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), which foretold such devastation for disobedience. Secondly, the phrase "utterly rejected us" emphasizes the profound theme of **Utter Rejection and Abandonment**. The people feel completely forsaken by God, cut off from His presence, and seemingly beyond the reach of His promises, reflecting the deep spiritual and emotional desolation that accompanied their physical ruin. This sense of abandonment is a recurring motif, contrasting with the historical narrative of God's steadfast loyalty to Israel. Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Profound Despair**. Unlike the glimpses of hope and God's enduring mercies mentioned in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Faithfulness"), this concluding verse plunges back into the depths of hopelessness, leaving the plea for restoration seemingly unanswered. It captures the raw, honest human experience of feeling utterly lost and without recourse in the face of overwhelming adversity and the perceived finality of divine judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **utterly rejected (Hebrew, _mâʼaç_):** This verb (H3988) is repeated in the Hebrew text ("mâʼaç mâʼastanu"), creating an intensive construction that emphasizes the completeness and decisiveness of the rejection. It means "to spurn, despise, abhor, cast away, refuse, reprobate." The repetition signifies not merely a turning away, but a profound, almost disgusted, repudiation, indicating a total and final abandonment from the perspective of the lamenter.
* **very (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd_):** As an adverb (H3966), _mᵉʼôd_ functions as an intensive or superlative, meaning "vehemently, exceedingly, greatly, much, sore." When combined with "wroth," it amplifies the intensity of God's anger, suggesting that His wrath is not mild or temporary, but severe, profound, and overwhelmingly present.
* **wroth (Hebrew, _qâtsaph_):** This verb (H7107) signifies "to crack off, burst out in rage, be angry, displease." It describes an intense, burning anger, often implying a sudden outburst or a deep-seated displeasure that has reached its breaking point. In the context of divine wrath, it denotes God's righteous indignation against sin, manifesting in severe judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But thou hast utterly rejected us;":** This clause expresses the core lament of the people: their profound conviction that God has completely and irrevocably cast them off. The intensified Hebrew verb "mâʼaç" underscores a sense of absolute and decisive repudiation, implying that their suffering is not merely a temporary trial but a sign of a final and total divine abandonment. This feeling of rejection is deeply rooted in their experience of national ruin and exile, where the covenant relationship appears to be severed beyond repair.
* **"thou art very wroth against us.":** This second clause identifies the reason for their perceived rejection: God's intense and overwhelming wrath. The combination of "very" (_mᵉʼôd_) and "wroth" (_qâtsaph_) conveys a divine anger that is not only justified but also severe, consuming, and seemingly without end. It points to their understanding that their calamity is a direct consequence of God's righteous indignation against their persistent sin and disobedience, leading to a state of profound alienation from their Creator.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 5:22 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message of despair. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, as the lamenter expresses an "utter" rejection and "very" intense wrath, which, while reflecting the depth of their anguish, may not be the ultimate theological reality of God's character but rather the extreme experience of His judgment. This verse also exemplifies **Personification** of God's wrath, treating it as an active force directed against the people, emphasizing its tangible and devastating effects. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a powerful example of **Lament**, a literary form characterized by direct address to God, expressions of suffering, pleas for help, and often, as here, a raw articulation of perceived divine abandonment. The abrupt, despairing ending of the book with this verse is a deliberate **Rhetorical Device**, leaving the reader with the unresolved tension of human suffering and divine judgment, forcing contemplation on the nature of God's justice and mercy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 5:22, in its raw expression of perceived divine rejection and wrath, serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of covenant disobedience and God's righteous judgment. Theologically, it underscores the principle that sin indeed separates humanity from God's favor and brings about consequences ([Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Sin Separates from God")). However, within the broader biblical narrative, this verse represents a moment of profound human despair, not necessarily God's final word. While the people feel utterly rejected, the Old Testament consistently reveals God's steadfast love (Hebrew: _hesed_) and His ultimate desire for restoration, even after severe judgment. The tension between God's wrath and His mercy is a recurring theme, with judgment often serving as a means to bring about repentance and eventual reconciliation, as seen in the prophetic books. This verse, therefore, highlights the depth of the human experience of alienation from God due to sin, setting the stage for the ultimate divine solution to this separation.

* [Deuteronomy 31:17](/deuteronomy/31-17 "Deuteronomy 31:17 - God's Anger and Hiding His Face")
* [Psalm 44:23-24](/psalms/44-23 "Psalm 44:23-24 - A Cry of Perceived Abandonment")
* [Romans 11:1-2](/romans/11-1 "Romans 11:1-2 - God Has Not Rejected His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 5:22, though concluding the book on a note of deep despair, offers profound insights for believers navigating their own seasons of suffering, consequence, or perceived divine absence. It validates the raw human experience of feeling abandoned or rejected by God, demonstrating that expressing such honest emotions—even anger or despair—in lament is a biblically sanctioned practice. This verse reminds us that while God's judgment for sin is real and can be severe, our feelings of utter rejection, though valid in our human experience, do not always reflect the full scope of God's character or His ultimate intentions. It calls us to acknowledge the pain of consequences while simultaneously holding onto the broader biblical narrative of God's enduring faithfulness, His ultimate desire for restoration, and His willingness to forgive those who genuinely repent. Even when judgment is severe, God's ultimate character is love and mercy, a truth that transcends the immediate anguish expressed in this lament.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Lamentations 5:22 validate or challenge your understanding of expressing raw emotions, even despair, to God?**
* **In what ways might our perception of God's "rejection" or "wrath" be influenced by our circumstances, and how can we reconcile this with His unchanging character of love and mercy?**
* **What is the balance between acknowledging the consequences of sin and trusting in God's ultimate faithfulness, even when circumstances feel hopeless?**

### FAQ

**Does Lamentations 5:22 mean God permanently rejects His people?**

Answer: While [Lamentations 5:22](/lamentations/5-22 "Lamentations 5:22 - The Cry of Rejection") expresses the profound *feeling* of utter rejection and intense wrath from the perspective of the suffering people of Judah, it does not represent God's final, permanent rejection of His covenant people in the broader biblical narrative. The book of Lamentations is a work of lament, a raw and honest outpouring of grief and despair. Within the larger context of the Old Testament, God's judgment, even severe, was often a disciplinary act intended to bring His people to repentance and ultimately to restoration, as seen in books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/29 "Jeremiah 29 - Plans for Hope and a Future") and [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - Restoration of Israel"). The New Testament further clarifies that God has not permanently rejected Israel ([Romans 11:1-2](/romans/11-1 "Romans 11:1-2 - God Has Not Rejected His People")) and that His ultimate plan is one of redemption. The verse captures a moment of intense despair, but it is not the final theological statement on God's relationship with His people.

**How can this verse, ending in despair, be spiritually nourishing?**

Answer: [Lamentations 5:22](/lamentations/5-22 "Lamentations 5:22 - A Cry of Despair") can be spiritually nourishing precisely because of its unflinching honesty. It validates the human experience of profound suffering, grief, and even the feeling of divine abandonment. In times of deep personal or communal crisis, this verse provides a biblical precedent for expressing raw, unfiltered emotions to God, demonstrating that true faith includes lament and questioning, not just praise. It reminds us that the Bible does not shy away from the darkest aspects of human experience or the consequences of sin. By acknowledging and giving voice to despair, it helps us process our own pain and points us toward the need for a greater hope that transcends our immediate circumstances, a hope ultimately found in God's redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 5:22, with its cry of "utterly rejected" and "very wroth against us," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in God's rejection of His people, but in the ultimate rejection and wrath borne by Jesus Christ on the cross. The Son of God, who knew no sin, became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), experiencing the full weight of God's righteous wrath against humanity's rebellion. His cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes the very sentiment of abandonment found in Lamentations, yet it was not for His own sin, but for ours. In Christ, the perceived rejection of God's people is absorbed and overcome; He endured the ultimate rejection so that those who believe in Him might never be utterly cast off ([John 6:37](/john/6-37 "John 6:37 - All Who Come to Jesus Will Be Received")). Through His sacrifice, the wrath of God against sin was fully propitiated, opening the way for reconciliation and the renewal of days, not "as of old" (as in [Lamentations 5:21](/lamentations/5-21 "A Plea for Restoration")), but as a new creation in Christ ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Behold, I Make All Things New")). Thus, the despair of Lamentations 5:22 ultimately points to the cross, where the deepest human lament is met with God's deepest love, transforming rejection into eternal acceptance through the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 60:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

Psalms 60:2

Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

Ezekiel 37:11

Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

Jeremiah 15:1

¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

Jeremiah 15:5

For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?

Hosea 1:6

And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And [God] said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.

Psalms 44:9

¶ But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.