Lamentations 3:29
What does Lamentations 3:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:29 means
He counsels profound humility—placing the mouth in the dust, symbolizing repentance, lowliness, and submission. Such abasement is not despair but hope-seeking: “if so be there may be hope.” It recognizes that hope often rises where pride falls. By returning to the dust in spirit, the sufferer aligns with truth about sin and God’s holiness, and thereby is positioned to receive mercy. The verse teaches that the path to restoration runs through humility. God exalts the lowly; therefore, embracing lowliness under His hand is an act of faith that His compassion will yet be shown.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let him put his mouth in the dust, if by chance there may be hope.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He putteth in the dust his mouth, if so be there is hope.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jod. He shall put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890he putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope;
Context
The call to quiet submission deepens into repentance imagery. Next, verse 30 will urge acceptance of mistreatment without vengeance, a surprising counsel that trusts God to vindicate. These admonitions might seem harsh unless rooted in confidence about God’s heart, which the following verses (31–33) will provide: Jehovah does not cast off forever and delights in compassion, not affliction.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 42:5
I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; But now mine eye seeth thee:
- Jonah 3:9
Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
- 2 Chronicles 33:12
And when he was in distress, he besought Jehovah his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
- Zephaniah 2:3
Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah’s anger.
- Luke 18:13
But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.
- Ezekiel 16:63
that thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, because of thy shame, when I have forgiven thee all that thou hast done, saith the Lord Jehovah.
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