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Lamentations 3:34

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To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,

To crush {H1792} under his feet {H7272} all the prisoners {H615} of the earth {H776},

When anyone tramples underfoot any of the prisoners of the land;

To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land,

To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,

Commentary

Context of Lamentations 3:34

Lamentations 3:34 is situated within the heart of the book of Lamentations, a deeply sorrowful collection of poems attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet." This book grieves over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, and the subsequent exile and suffering of the Judean people. Chapter 3, in particular, shifts from communal lament to a personal reflection by the prophet, yet it broadens to encompass the experiences of the entire nation. Verses 31-36 form a poignant section asserting God's character: He does not delight in human affliction, and He sees all injustice. Verse 34 specifically describes a form of severe oppression, likely referring to the cruel treatment inflicted by the conquering Babylonians upon their captives, the prisoners of the Babylonian exile.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Brutal Oppression: The phrase "to crush under his feet" vividly portrays an act of extreme subjugation, humiliation, and dehumanization. It speaks to the absolute powerlessness and suffering of those held captive, stripped of their dignity and rights. This imagery resonates with the physical and emotional pain experienced by the exiles.
  • God's Awareness of Injustice: While the verse describes human cruelty, the surrounding verses (Lamentations 3:35-36) emphasize that the Lord sees and does not approve of such acts of injustice, particularly "the rights of a man subverted before the face of the Most High." This implies that God is not indifferent to the plight of the oppressed, even when He allows suffering for His purposes.
  • Human Suffering and Divine Justice: This verse highlights the harsh realities of human suffering, but within the broader context of God's ultimate justice. It reminds us that while evil and oppression may prevail for a time, they do not go unnoticed by God, who is ultimately just and righteous in all His ways.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "to crush under his feet" (לְדַכֵּא תַּחַת רַגְלָיו - l'dakke tachath raglav) uses the verb dakka', which means "to crush," "to oppress," or "to break in pieces." This strong verb, combined with the imagery of being "under his feet," conveys total domination, extreme humiliation, and the complete suppression of a person's will or being. It's a powerful metaphor for the absolute power wielded by captors over their helpless prisoners, reflecting the profound indignity and suffering of the people in captivity.

Reflection and Practical Application

Lamentations 3:34 serves as a stark reminder of the reality of oppression and injustice throughout history and in our world today. It calls us to:

  • Empathize with the Oppressed: The verse compels us to acknowledge and feel compassion for those who are marginalized, abused, or imprisoned unjustly, echoing the prophet's deep sorrow.
  • Trust in God's Justice: Even when human systems fail and injustice seems to triumph, the surrounding verses reassure us that God sees all. This offers a profound source of hope that ultimately, every wrong will be made right by a just God, who is a refuge for the oppressed.
  • Act for Justice: While God is ultimately just, this verse can also inspire believers to actively work against injustice and oppression in their spheres of influence, becoming agents of God's compassion and righteousness in a broken world.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zechariah 9:11 (5 votes)

    As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein [is] no water.

  • Zechariah 9:12 (5 votes)

    ¶ Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare [that] I will render double unto thee;

  • Isaiah 51:22 (4 votes)

    Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God [that] pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, [even] the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

  • Isaiah 51:23 (4 votes)

    But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

  • Psalms 102:20 (3 votes)

    To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

  • Isaiah 49:9 (3 votes)

    That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that [are] in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures [shall be] in all high places.

  • Jeremiah 51:33 (3 votes)

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon [is] like a threshingfloor, [it is] time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.