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Lamentations 3:53

Lamentations 3:53 in Multiple Translations

They dropped me alive into a pit and cast stones upon me.

They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.

They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone upon me.

They have put an end to my life in the prison, stoning me with stones.

They tried to kill me by tossing me into a pit and throwing stones at me.

They haue shut vp my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone vpon me.

They have cut off in a pit my life, And they cast a stone against me.

They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone on me.

They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.

Sade. My life is fallen into the pit, and they have laid a stone over me.

They threw me into a pit to kill me, and they threw stones on top of me.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 3:53

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 3:53 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB צָֽמְת֤וּ בַ/בּוֹר֙ חַיָּ֔/י וַ/יַּדּוּ אֶ֖בֶן בִּֽ/י
צָֽמְת֤וּ tsâmath H6789 to destroy V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בַ/בּוֹר֙ bôwr H953 pit Prep | N-ms
חַיָּ֔/י chay H2416 alive N-mp | Suff
וַ/יַּדּוּ yâdâh H3034 to give thanks Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֶ֖בֶן ʼeben H68 stone N-fs
בִּֽ/י Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 3:53

צָֽמְת֤וּ tsâmath H6789 "to destroy" V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To destroy something means to completely get rid of it, like God destroying evil in Psalm 37:38. This word appears in the Bible to describe total annihilation. It is often used in a literal sense, such as in war, but also figuratively, like in Ezekiel 28:16.
Definition: 1) to put an end to, cut off, destroy, exterminate, extirpate 1a) (Qal) to put an end to, terminate 1b) (Niphal) to be ended, be annihilated, be exterminated 1c) (Piel) to put an end to 1d) (Pilel) to be exterminated, be annihilated 1e) (Hiphil) to exterminate, annihilate
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: consume, cut off, destroy, vanish. See also: 2 Samuel 22:41; Psalms 88:17; Psalms 18:41.
בַ/בּוֹר֙ bôwr H953 "pit" Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a cistern or pit, often used to hold water or as a prison. In the Bible, it is used to describe a place of confinement, like a dungeon or well. It is a physical hole in the ground.
Definition: pit, well, cistern, dungeon, pit of the grave
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well. See also: Genesis 37:20; Proverbs 5:15; Psalms 7:16.
חַיָּ֔/י chay H2416 "alive" N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
וַ/יַּדּוּ yâdâh H3034 "to give thanks" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
To give thanks or praise, originally meaning to throw or cast, like shooting an arrow. In the Bible, it's used to describe worship or confession with extended hands. It appears in Psalms and other books, like 1 Chronicles.
Definition: 1) to throw, shoot, cast 1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows) 1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give thanks, laud, praise 1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God) 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to confess (sin) 1d2) to give thanks Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדָא "to praise" H3029)
Usage: Occurs in 111 OT verses. KJV: cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving). See also: Genesis 29:35; Psalms 57:10; Psalms 6:6.
אֶ֖בֶן ʼeben H68 "stone" N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a stone, which could be a rock, a weight, or even a precious gem. It is used to describe a variety of objects, from building materials to hailstones. The KJV translates it as stone or weight.
Definition: : weight 1) stone (large or small) 1a) common stone (in natural state) 1b) stone, as material 1b1) of tablets 1b2) marble, hewn stones 1c) precious stones, stones of fire 1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon 1e) weight 1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal 1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice 1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines 1i) (simile) 1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness 1i2) strength, firmness, solidity 1i3) commonness 1j) (metaph) 1j1) petrified with terror 1j2) perverse, hard heart
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). See also: Genesis 2:12; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 91:12.
בִּֽ/י "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Lamentations 3:53

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Daniel 6:17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.
2 Jeremiah 38:9 “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.”
3 Jeremiah 38:6 So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.
4 Jeremiah 37:16 So Jeremiah went into a cell in the dungeon and remained there a long time.
5 Matthew 27:66 So they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard.
6 Jeremiah 37:20 But now please listen, O my lord the king. May my petition come before you. Do not send me back to the house of Jonathan the scribe, or I will die there.”
7 Matthew 27:60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Lamentations 3:53 Summary

[This verse means that the prophet felt like he was in a very difficult and scary situation, like being thrown into a deep hole and having rocks thrown at him. He felt hopeless and alone, but he still cried out to God for help, just like we can do when we're feeling overwhelmed, as seen in Psalm 121:1-2 and Romans 10:13. The prophet's experience reminds us that even in the darkest times, God is with us and we can trust in His goodness and love, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11 and Matthew 28:20.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of being dropped into a pit in Lamentations 3:53?

In biblical times, being thrown into a pit was a form of punishment or imprisonment, often symbolizing feelings of hopelessness and despair, as seen in Jeremiah 38:6 and Psalm 88:6.

Why did the enemies cast stones upon the prophet in Lamentations 3:53?

The act of casting stones may have been an attempt to kill or further humiliate the prophet, highlighting the depth of their hatred and cruelty, similar to the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:58-59.

How does this verse relate to the prophet's overall experience of suffering?

This verse is part of a larger narrative of the prophet's suffering and persecution, which ultimately led him to cry out to God in desperation, as seen in Lamentations 3:55 and Psalm 130:1-2.

What can we learn from the prophet's experience of being dropped into a pit?

We can learn about the importance of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity, trusting that God is with us even in the darkest of times, as promised in Isaiah 43:2 and Romans 8:28.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some times in my life when I have felt like I was 'dropped into a pit' and how did I respond?
  2. How can I apply the prophet's experience of suffering and persecution to my own life, and what can I learn from his example of faith and trust in God?
  3. What are some 'stones' that my enemies, whether internal or external, may be casting at me, and how can I use this verse to inform my response to them?
  4. In what ways can I use this verse to minister to others who may be experiencing feelings of hopelessness and despair, and how can I point them to the hope of the Gospel?

Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:53

They have cut off my life in the dungeon,.... Jarchi interprets it, "they bound me in the prison.'' Jeremiah was both in a prison and in a dungeon, where he was deprived of the society of men, as if

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 3:53

Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause. Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird - which is destitute of counsel and strength. The allusion seems to be to Proverbs 1:17 (Calvin).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 3:53

Dungeon seemeth not to be here taken literally, for the lowest and nastiest place in prisons, which probably was the portion but of a few of the Jews; but metaphorically, for the lowest and saddest condition of misery. Their enemies had brought them into the deepest miseries, to the cutting off of their lives; and as men use to roll great stones upon the mouths of dens and pits, where they have shut up persons, to make them sure from escaping out, so their enemies had dealt with them, doing what lay in them to make their condition remediless and desperate.

Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 3:53

Lamentations 3:53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.Ver. 53. They have cut off my life in the dungeon.] Where I led a lifeless life; such as did Roger, Bishop of Salisbury, in King Stephen’ s time, who sustained such miseries in prison, ut vivere noluerit, mori nescierit, that live he would not, and yet die he could not. And cast a stone upon me.] As they did upon the mouths of dens, dungeons, or sepulchres, to make sure work. The Chaldee hath it, They stoned me.

Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 3:53

(53) Cast a stone upon me.—The words admit of two meanings: (1) that they cast stones at him; (2) that they placed a stone over the opening of his dungeon so as to prevent escape.

Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 3:53

52–66. See intr. note.

Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 3:53

They have cut off my life in the dungeon - Or, “They destroyed my life in the pit,” i. e. tried to destroy it by casting me into the cistern, and covering the month with a stone. See the margin reference.

Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 3:53

53. Cast a stone, etc. — They covered the pit in which the prophet was confined with a stone, to make escape hopeless.

Sermons on Lamentations 3:53

SermonDescription
Willie Mullan (Daniel) Daniel in the Lion's Den by Willie Mullan In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Daniel in the lion's den. He begins by discussing the prosperity of Daniel, who was chosen as one of the 120 princes over the k
Carter Conlon When Deliverance Looks Like Old Rotten Rags by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences of witnessing God's miracles and the power of the Holy Spirit breaking down divisions in a community. The speaker encourages

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