Keraia
Lamentations 3

Lamentations 3:19

The Prophet’s Hope · Lamentations 3:19–36
Read Lamentations 3

Translations

Modern
Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall.
Traditional
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
Literal
Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and the gall!
Latin
Recordare paupertatis, et transgressionis meæ, absinthii et fellis.

Original

Hebrew
English
Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall.

Notes

Lamentations 3:19

is wormwood and the gall: Wormwood is a plant with a bitter taste. Here, it represents deep emotional pain (Proverbs 5:4; Revelation 8:11).

Gall refers to a poisonous plant. If someone eats it, it causes strong physical pain. Because of this, it became a symbol for extreme suffering and distress (Deuteronomy 29:18; Psalm 69:21).

The author feels trapped, as if there is no way out of his suffering.

Lamentations 3:1–24

The author speaks of the suffering of Judah and Jerusalem as his own.

Lamentations 3:1–66

In this chapter, the author mourns what has happened (Lamentations 3:1–20, 48–54). In this chapter, the author mourns what has happened (Lamentations 3:21–25). He explains how God’s people should respond (Lamentations 3:26–47). Finally, he calls out to the Lord in prayer (Lamentations 3:55–66).

Theme notes and profiles

Retribution

Glossary

Acrostic Gall Lamentations, Book of Poetry, Biblical Wild Gourd Wormwood

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of, Illustrated Afflictions and Adversities: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Afflictions Made Beneficial in Humbling Us Despondency: General Scriptures Concerning Judgments: should Lead to Humiliation Wormwood: Figurative