Lamentations 3:33
What does Lamentations 3:33 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:33 means
God does not afflict or grieve people from His heart—He takes no pleasure in causing pain. Discipline flows from justice and love, not from cruelty. This reveals the divine character behind the bitter experiences described earlier. While God uses severe means to turn His people, His deepest desire is to show compassion and restore. Knowing this keeps sufferers from misjudging God when sorrows press. It encourages submission with trust: the hand that smites is not a stranger’s hatred but a Father’s corrective love, which will cease when its gracious purpose is achieved.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For he has no pleasure in troubling and causing grief to the children of men.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For He hath not afflicted with His heart, Nor doth He grieve the sons of men.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Caph. For he hath not willingly afflicted, nor cast off the children of men.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for he doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.
Context
Having declared that God’s compassion is abundant, the text now explains His motive in discipline. Verses 34–36 will pivot to denounce human injustice—crushing prisoners, perverting justice, and subverting causes—things that the Lord does not approve. The flow contrasts God’s righteous heart with human oppression, reinforcing that His discipline is never like the cruel acts He forbids.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
- Isaiah 28:21
For Jehovah will rise up as in mount Perazim, he will be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon; that he may do his work, his strange work, and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
- Ezekiel 18:32
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live.
- Hebrews 12:9
Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
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