Lamentations 3:66
Lamentations 3:66 in Multiple Translations
You will pursue them in anger and exterminate them from under Your heavens, O LORD.
Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
Thou wilt pursue them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of Jehovah.
You will go after them in wrath, and put an end to them from under the heavens of the Lord.
Chase them down in your anger, Lord, and get rid of them from the earth!
Persecute with wrath and destroy them from vnder the heauen, O Lord.
Thou pursuest in anger, and destroyest them, From under the heavens of Jehovah!
You will pursue them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of the LORD.
Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
Thau. Thou shalt persecute them in anger, and shalt destroy them from under the heavens, O Lord.
Because you are angry with them, pursue them and get rid of them, until none of them remain on the earth.
Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 3:66
BAB
Word Study
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Lamentations 3:66 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תִּרְדֹּ֤ף
בְּ/אַף֙
וְ/תַשְׁמִידֵ֔/ם
מִ/תַּ֖חַת
שְׁמֵ֥י
יְהוָֽה
תִּרְדֹּ֤ף
râdaph
H7291
to pursue
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
בְּ/אַף֙
ʼaph
H639
face
Prep | N-ms
וְ/תַשְׁמִידֵ֔/ם
shâmad
H8045
to destroy
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff
מִ/תַּ֖חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep | Prep
שְׁמֵ֥י
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
N-mp
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 3:66
תִּרְדֹּ֤ף
râdaph
H7291
"to pursue"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Samuel 20:13; Psalms 7:2.
בְּ/אַף֙
ʼaph
H639
"face"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
וְ/תַשְׁמִידֵ֔/ם
shâmad
H8045
"to destroy"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff
The Hebrew word shâmad means to destroy or desolate something, used to describe annihilation or devastation. It is used in the Bible to describe the destruction of cities or nations, such as in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated 1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to annihilate, exterminate 1b2) to destroy Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:30; 2 Samuel 22:38; Psalms 37:38.
מִ/תַּ֖חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep | Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
שְׁמֵ֥י
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Lamentations 3:66
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Lamentations 3:66 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:66
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 3:66
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 3:66
- Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 3:66
- Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 3:66
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 3:66
- Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 3:66
- Sermons on Lamentations 3:66
Context — God’s Justice
64You will pay them back what they deserve, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
65Put a veil of anguish over their hearts; may Your curse be upon them!
66You will pursue them in anger and exterminate them from under Your heavens, O LORD.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 8:3 | When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place— |
| 2 | Lamentations 3:43 | You have covered Yourself in anger and pursued us; You have killed without pity. |
| 3 | Psalms 115:16 | The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 10:11 | Thus you are to tell them: “These gods, who have made neither the heavens nor the earth, will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.” |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 25:19 | When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget! |
| 6 | Psalms 73:15 | If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 7:24 | He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand against you; you will annihilate them. |
| 8 | Psalms 35:6 | May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 29:20 | The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven |
| 10 | 2 Kings 14:27 | and since the LORD had said that He would not blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash. |
Lamentations 3:66 Summary
Lamentations 3:66 is a prayer asking God to judge and punish His enemies. This doesn't mean God is cruel, but it shows He takes sin very seriously and will ultimately deal with it. As seen in Psalm 119:137, God is righteous and just, and His judgments are always fair. This verse reminds us that God is in control and will one day bring justice to the world, which is a comforting thought for those who trust in Him (Romans 8:28).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God say He will pursue and exterminate nations in Lamentations 3:66?
This verse is a prayer of judgment against the enemies of God's people, reflecting the severity of God's justice as seen in Deuteronomy 32:41, where God says He will take vengeance on His enemies.
Is God's anger in Lamentations 3:66 the same as human anger?
No, God's anger is a righteous response to sin, as seen in Psalm 7:11, where God is described as a righteous judge who expresses His wrath every day, unlike human anger which can be driven by selfish motives.
How does Lamentations 3:66 relate to God's command to love our enemies in Matthew 5:44?
While we are commanded to love our enemies, God's role as the ultimate judge allows Him to execute justice in a way that is consistent with His character, as seen in Romans 12:19, where we are told not to avenge ourselves but to leave room for God's wrath.
Does Lamentations 3:66 imply that God is vengeful?
This verse shows that God will not tolerate sin forever, and His judgment is an expression of His holiness and justice, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45, where God commands His people to be holy because He is holy.
Reflection Questions
- How does the concept of God's anger and judgment in Lamentations 3:66 challenge or comfort you in your walk with God?
- In what ways can you trust God's sovereignty and justice in the face of evil or injustice, as reflected in this verse?
- How does the distinction between God's righteous anger and human anger impact your understanding of God's character and your relationship with Him?
- What does this verse teach you about the importance of respecting and revering God's holiness and justice?
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:66
Persecute and destroy them in anger,.... As they have persecuted the people of God, do thou persecute them; and never leave pursuing them untie thou hast made a full end of them, as the effect of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 3:66
Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 3:66
Bring them to a temporal ruin and destruction. How far such petitions are lawful we have before showed, in our notes on , &c.; , &c.; 15:15: see also . It is hard to interpret all passages of this nature which we meet with as prophecies, though some of them are so, and others may be both prophecies and prayers.
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 3:66
Lamentations 3:66 Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.Ver. 66. Persecute and destroy them in anger.] Since they are thine and our implacable and irreformable enemies, be thou, Lord, implacably bent against them, to their utter destruction; and since they think us not worthy to breathe in the common air - whom thou hast made heirs of the world together with faithful Abraham our progenitor - destroy them from under these heavens of thine, in the compass and cope whereof thou reignest and rulest all. From under the heavens of the Lord.] Do thou, O Christ - to whom the Father hath committed all judgment - root them out from under the heavens of thy heavenly Father. Thus some paraphrase the words, and observe therehence the mystery of the Trinity; like as they do from Genesis 19:24.
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 3:66
(66) From under the heavens of the Lord.—The phrase is exceptional, but it is obviously equivalent to the whole world, considered as God’s kingdom.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 3:66
Verse 66. Persecute and destroy them] Thou wilt pursue them with destruction. These are all declaratory, not imprecatory. From under the heavens of the Lord.] This verse seems to allude to the Chaldaic prediction, in Jeremiah 10:11. By their conduct they will bring on themselves the curse denounced against their enemies. The Septuagint and Vulgate seem to have read "From under heaven, O Jehovah:" and the Syriac reads, "Thy heavens, O Jehovah!" None of these makes any material change in the meaning of the words. It has already been noticed in the introduction, that this chapter contains a triple acrostic, three lines always beginning with the same letter; so that the Hebrew alphabet is thrice repeated in this chapter, twenty-two multiplied by three being equal to sixty-six.
Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 3:66
52–66. See intr. note.
Sermons on Lamentations 3:66
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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What Kind of Being Is Man - Part 4 by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of redemption and its significance in the Christian life. He refers to the four words for redeem found in the Schofield Bible. The |
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Renewing of Life by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his experience as a pastor during the Great Depression in England. He recalls a time when his church experienced a revival and how even a s |
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The Casual Receiving of Christ by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing our need for God. He highlights the gratitude we should have for God's presence in our lives and the promises |
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Sonship With the Father - Part 2 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the church taking responsibility for the well-being of their fellow human beings, particularly those who are marginalized a |
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Horton Haven Labor Day Retreat-08 Those for Whom Christ Died by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on Calvary. He emphasizes the immense value of our redemption and the staggering reality that Jesus died |
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Wonders of God-02 Psalm 8-the Starry Heavens by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the beauty and power of God's creation, specifically focusing on the sun and the stars. He emphasizes that God's understanding is infinite a |
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God Cares and Loves You 1 - Part 1 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon by Joshua Daniel explores the profound love and care of God towards humanity, despite our insignificance in the vast universe. Drawing from Psalms 8, the speaker reflec |