Keraia
Lamentations 3

Lamentations 3:9

The Prophet’s Afflictions · Lamentations 3:1–18
Read Lamentations 3

Translations

Modern
He has barred my ways with cut stones; He has made my paths crooked.
Traditional
He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
Literal
He has blocked off my ways with cut stone, my paths He has made crooked.
Latin
Conclusit vias meas lapidibus quadris; semitas meas subvertit.

Original

Hebrew
English
He has barred my ways with cut stones; He has made my paths crooked.

Notes

Lamentations 3:9

barred my ways … made my paths crooked: This image describes confusion and trouble. Sin can block a person’s path and make life difficult. It can prevent a person or a community from experiencing a hopeful future.

In the Bible, a straight road often represents a good and clear future. Proverbs says that innocent people walk on a straight path (Proverbs 21:8). Isaiah describes the Lord coming on a straight road that his worshipers would prepare (Isaiah 40:3).

Lamentations 3:6–9

Some interpreters understand these verses as a poetic description of Jeremiah’s time in a muddy cistern (a deep water pit) before the destruction of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 38:6–13).

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).

Glossary

Acrostic Gall Lamentations, Book of Poetry, Biblical Wild Gourd

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Despondency: General Scriptures Concerning Judgments: should Lead to Humiliation Stones: Hewn (Cut)