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Lamentations 3:47

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Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.

Fear {H6343} and a snare {H6354} is come upon us, desolation {H7612} and destruction {H7667}.

Panic and pitfall have come upon us, desolation and destruction.

Panic and pitfall have come upon us— devastation and destruction.

Fear and the pit are come upon us, devastation and destruction.

Commentary

Commentary on Lamentations 3:47 (KJV)

Lamentations 3:47 captures the raw anguish and profound suffering experienced by the people of Judah during and after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. This verse, situated within a deeply personal lament, reflects the collective despair of a nation facing complete ruin.

Context

The Book of Lamentations is a collection of five poetic laments, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. It serves as an elegy for Jerusalem, mourning its downfall, the destruction of the Temple, and the subsequent exile of its people. Chapter 3, often considered the heart of the book, presents a solitary voice (likely Jeremiah's) enduring immense personal affliction, which mirrors the national catastrophe. The verses preceding 3:47 detail the severity of God's judgment and the overwhelming nature of the suffering. This verse specifically describes the dire consequences of that judgment, setting the stage for the remarkable pivot to hope that begins in Lamentations 3:21.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Overwhelming Calamity: The phrase "is come upon us" emphasizes the sudden, unavoidable, and comprehensive nature of the disaster. It was not a gradual decline but a swift, devastating blow that engulfed the people.
  • Profound Fear and Trapped Helplessness: "Fear and a snare" vividly portrays the terror and the feeling of being caught in an inescapable trap. The people were not only afraid but also felt utterly helpless, with no way to escape the impending doom or its aftermath.
  • Total Ruin and Devastation: "Desolation and destruction" describes the physical and spiritual ruin that befell Jerusalem and its inhabitants. This encompasses the crumbling of city walls, the burning of homes, the loss of life, and the shattering of national identity and religious life.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse amplify its powerful imagery:

  • "Fear" (Hebrew: פַּחַד, pachad): Signifies terror, dread, and sudden alarm. It’s a deep, visceral fear that paralyzes.
  • "Snare" (Hebrew: וָפַח, waphach): Refers to a trap or a noose, often used for hunting birds or animals. This imagery powerfully conveys the idea of being unexpectedly caught and unable to escape, highlighting the feeling of being utterly helpless and cornered by circumstances.
  • "Desolation" (Hebrew: הַשֵּׁאת, hashsha'th): Denotes ruin, waste, or devastation, implying a state of utter emptiness and destruction.
  • "Destruction" (Hebrew: וְהַשֶּׁבֶר, w'hashshever): Means a breaking, shattering, or ruin. It speaks to the complete collapse of what once stood firm.

Related Scriptures

The themes of judgment and desolation in Lamentations 3:47 resonate with other prophetic warnings and historical accounts:

  • The consequences of national disobedience are clearly outlined in the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28, which include fear, desolation, and destruction for turning away from God.
  • The lament over Jerusalem's ruin in Lamentations 1:1-3 further details the city's deserted state.
  • While this verse is bleak, the broader context of Lamentations 3, particularly Lamentations 3:22-23, offers a profound counterpoint of hope in God's unfailing mercies, reminding us that even in the deepest despair, God's character remains a source of comfort.

Practical Application

Lamentations 3:47, though describing a specific historical tragedy, speaks to universal human experiences of profound suffering, fear, and feeling trapped. It reminds us:

  • The Reality of Consequences: For ancient Israel, this desolation was a direct consequence of persistent sin and disobedience. It serves as a sober reminder that actions, especially against divine will, can have severe repercussions.
  • Empathy in Despair: The verse invites empathy for those who experience overwhelming fear, ruin, and hopelessness, whether due to natural disaster, conflict, or personal tragedy.
  • The Need for Hope: While this verse expresses despair, its placement within Lamentations 3 (before the pivot to hope) underscores the human need to seek God's mercy even in the darkest valleys, recognizing that ultimate solace is found in Him.
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

  • Isaiah 51:19 (4 votes)

    These two [things] are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?

  • Isaiah 24:17 (4 votes)

    Fear, and the pit, and the snare, [are] upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.

  • Isaiah 24:18 (4 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, [that] he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

  • Jeremiah 48:43 (3 votes)

    Fear, and the pit, and the snare, [shall be] upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 48:44 (3 votes)

    He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, [even] upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

  • Lamentations 1:4 (2 votes)

    The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she [is] in bitterness.

  • Lamentations 1:13 (2 votes)

    From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate [and] faint all the day.