Lamentations 3:29
Lamentations 3:29 in Multiple Translations
Let him bury his face in the dust— perhaps there is still hope.
He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
Let him put his mouth in the dust, if by chance there may be hope.
They should bow low with their faces to the ground, for there may still be hope.
He putteth his mouth in the dust, if there may be hope.
He putteth in the dust his mouth, if so be there is hope.
Let him put his mouth in the dust, if it is so that there may be hope.
He putteth his mouth in the dust; if there may be hope.
Jod. He shall put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
They should lie in the dirt, with their faces on the ground, because they can still hope that Yahweh will help them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 3:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Lamentations 3:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יִתֵּ֤ן
בֶּֽ/עָפָר֙
פִּ֔י/הוּ
אוּלַ֖י
יֵ֥שׁ
תִּקְוָֽה
יִתֵּ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
בֶּֽ/עָפָר֙
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
Prep | N-ms
פִּ֔י/הוּ
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms | Suff
אוּלַ֖י
ʼûwlay
H194
perhaps
Adv
יֵ֥שׁ
yêsh
H3426
there
Part
תִּקְוָֽה
tiqvâh
H8615
cord
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 3:29
יִתֵּ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
בֶּֽ/עָפָר֙
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
Prep | N-ms
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
פִּ֔י/הוּ
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
אוּלַ֖י
ʼûwlay
H194
"perhaps"
Adv
Ulay means perhaps or if not, used to express uncertainty or doubt. It appears in various forms, such as peradventure or unless. It helps to convey tentative ideas.
Definition: 1) perhaps, peradventure 2) if peradventure 3) unless 4) suppose
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: if so be, may be, peradventure, unless. See also: Genesis 16:2; 1 Samuel 14:6; Isaiah 37:4.
יֵ֥שׁ
yêsh
H3426
"there"
Part
This Hebrew word means 'there is' or 'there are', used to show existence or being. It appears in various forms, like 'to be' or 'to have'. In the Bible, it's used in Genesis and Psalms to describe God's presence.
Definition: 1) being, existence, substance, there is or are 1a) substance 1b) existence 1c) there is or are Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. See also: Genesis 18:24; Nehemiah 5:2; Psalms 7:4.
תִּקְוָֽה
tiqvâh
H8615
"cord"
N-fs
In Hebrew, this word for hope means a cord that attaches or expectancy, like waiting for something to happen. It appears in the Bible as a feeling of expectation or a thing someone longs for. The KJV translates it as hope or expectation.
Definition: cord
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: expectation(-ted), hope, live, thing that I long for. See also: Joshua 2:18; Psalms 62:6; Psalms 9:19.
Study Notes — Lamentations 3:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Lamentations 3:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:29
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 3:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
- Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
- Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 3:29
- Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
- Sermons on Lamentations 3:29
Context — The Prophet’s Hope
27It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.
28Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it upon him.
29Let him bury his face in the dust— perhaps there is still hope.
30Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach. 31For the Lord will not cast us off forever.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 40:4 | “Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth. |
| 2 | Luke 15:18–19 | I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ |
| 3 | Romans 3:19 | Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 33:12 | And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 31:17 | So there is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children will return to their own land. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 16:63 | so that when I make atonement for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your disgrace, declares the Lord GOD.” |
| 7 | Luke 18:13 | But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ |
| 8 | Joel 2:14 | Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him— grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God. |
| 9 | Jonah 3:9 | Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.” |
| 10 | Zephaniah 2:3 | Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger. |
Lamentations 3:29 Summary
[Lamentations 3:29 is telling us that even when things seem really bad, there is still hope if we humble ourselves before God. This means acknowledging that we can't fix everything on our own and that we need God's help. It's like what we read in Psalms 34:18 which says, 'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.' By trusting in God and submitting to His will, we can find peace and hope, even in the darkest of times, as Romans 8:28 reminds us that 'in all things God works for the good of those who love him.']
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'bury his face in the dust' in Lamentations 3:29?
This phrase is an expression of humility and submission, acknowledging one's sin and powerlessness before God, similar to what we see in Job 42:6 where Job says, 'I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.'
Is there really hope in a situation that seems hopeless?
Yes, Lamentations 3:29 suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope, a theme that is also found in Psalms 130:7 which says, 'Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.'
How can I apply this verse to my own life when I'm facing difficulties?
When facing challenges, we can follow the example in Lamentations 3:29 by humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging our limitations, and trusting in His sovereignty, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 which advises us to 'trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.'
Does this verse imply that God is cruel or heartless?
No, the context of Lamentations 3:29 and the surrounding verses indicate that God's discipline is not without purpose or love, as Hebrews 12:6 reminds us, 'because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he receives as a son.'
Reflection Questions
- What are the areas in my life where I need to humble myself and acknowledge my powerlessness before God?
- How can I practically 'bury my face in the dust' and submit to God's will in my current situation?
- What are some ways that I can hold onto hope when everything seems hopeless, and how can I share that hope with others?
- In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when I don't understand what He is doing in my life?
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:29
He putteth his mouth in the dust,.... Of self-abhorrence; sensible of his own vileness and nothingness, his unworthiness, and the unprofitableness of all his duties; ascribing the whole of his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 3:29
He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. He ... keepeth silence - the fruit of true docility and patience.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
If that may be supplied, or when, (as Pagnine translateth yb , the connexion of these words with the former is very fair and easy, for then those words, , It is good that must be repeated in the beginning of and ; however, both this and the former verses let us know the duty of persons under afflictions in order to their obtaining mercy at the hand of God, and admirably give us the character of persons under afflictions preparing for mercy. They hope and quietly wait for God’ s salvation, ; they bear God’ s yoke, , because he hath laid it upon them; they sit alone and keep silence, ; and here, they put their mouths in the dust, that is, humble themselves to the feet of God, and to the will of God; not being too confident of deliverances in this life, but if peradventure there may be hope.
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
Lamentations 3:29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.Ver. 29. He putteth his mouth in the dust.] He lieth low at God’ s feet: putting himself into the hands of justice, yet in hope of mercy. See 1 Corinthians 14:25. If so be there may be hope.] Heb., Peradventure there is hope - q.d., doubtless there is; however, I will try, since I have lost many a worse labour.
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
(29) He putteth his mouth in the dust . . .—The outward image is that of the prostration of an Eastern subject before a king: his very face laid in the dust, so that he cannot speak.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
Verse 29. He putteth his mouth in the dust] Lives in a state of deep humility. If so be there may be hope.] Because there is room for hope.
Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 3:29
29. Let him put his mouth in the dust] the Eastern way of expressing absolute submission by prostrating oneself.
Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 3:29
28-30. He sitteth — The verbs commencing these verses are apocopated futures, and should be rendered with a passive sense, as: Let him sit alone and keep silence; Let him put his mouth in the dust; Let him give his cheek, etc.
Sermons on Lamentations 3:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(I Want an Answer) Will I Ever Be Found Out? by Stephen Olford | In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a man who becomes drunk and neglects his faithful dog. One night, an intruder enters the man's garage, but the man is too intoxicat |
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Psalm 37:7 by Bill Ammon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and His children. He compares it to a mother comforting and caring for her child. The preacher also di |
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Knowing God Through Brokenness by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God personally and experiencing eternal life as defined by Jesus in John 17. It highlights that eternal life is not just living for |
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Job Chapter 40: by Stan Ford | In this sermon, the preacher references several verses from the Bible, including Matthew 6:26, Revelation 3:8, and Revelation 22:20. He emphasizes the message of the Christian fait |
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Studies in Job-03 Job-3 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Job and explores the theme of God's sovereignty and power. The sermon begins by highlighting God's role as the creator of the un |
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I Am of Small Account; What Shall I by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of humility and silence in our relationship with God, reflecting on Job's acknowledgment of his smallness before the Almighty. He contrasts the |
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Job 40:4 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the theme of self-discovery through Job's encounter with God, emphasizing Job's realization of his insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe. God chal |