Devine Scripture

Lamentations 3:34

What does Lamentations 3:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Lamentations 3:34 means

The text condemns the trampling of prisoners underfoot. Such oppression misuses power and desecrates human dignity. In the context of exile and conquest, many suffered unjust treatment. This verse insists that, though God disciplines, He does not approve human cruelty. It separates divine chastening—which aims to correct—from wicked oppression—which aims to crush. The statement serves as a warning to the powerful and a comfort to the oppressed: God sees and will judge the wrong of tyrants, even if He has temporarily allowed them as instruments of His purpose.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In a man's crushing under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

To bruise under one's feet any bound ones of earth,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Lamed. To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the land,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,

Context

After revealing God’s compassionate heart, the poem turns to ethical reflections. Verses 34–36 list injustices that the Lord does not approve: crushing prisoners, denying justice, and overturning a person’s case. This prepares for the stronger assertion in verses 37–38 of God’s absolute sovereignty over events, while still holding humans accountable for evil. The reader learns to distinguish God’s righteous discipline from human wrongdoing.

v.33For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.

v.34This passage

v.35To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 79:11

    Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee: According to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to death;

  • Isaiah 14:17

    that made the world as a wilderness, and overthrew the cities thereof; that let not loose his prisoners to their home?

  • Jeremiah 51:33

    For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing-floor at the time when it is trodden; yet a little while, and the time of harvest shall come for her.

  • Isaiah 51:22

    Thus saith thy Lord Jehovah, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thy hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl of the cup of my wrath; thou shalt no more drink it again:

  • Psalms 69:33

    For Jehovah heareth the needy, And despiseth not his prisoners.

  • Isaiah 49:9

    saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture.

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