Lamentations 3:42
What does Lamentations 3:42 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:42 means
The community confesses plainly: “We have transgressed and rebelled.” They also say, “thou hast not pardoned,” acknowledging that forgiveness has not yet been granted or experienced. This is not a denial of God’s mercy but an honest assessment that judgment still stands and restoration has not come. True confession does not rush to cheap comfort. It names sin and waits on God’s timing. The verse models contrition that leaves vindication and pardon in Jehovah’s hands, trusting His wisdom about when and how to lift the burden of guilt.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000We have transgressed and have rebelled; thou hast not pardoned.
KJV
King James Version · 1611We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901We have transgressed and have rebelled; thou hast not pardoned.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949We have done wrong and gone against your law; we have not had your forgiveness.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862We--we have transgressed and rebelled, Thou--Thou hast not forgiven.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Nun. We have done wickedly, and provoked thee to wrath: therefore thou art inexorable.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
Context
The communal prayer moves from call to confession. Verses 43–44 will describe the severity of God’s anger and the sense that prayer is blocked. Verses 45–47 will portray the resulting humiliation and fear among the nations. This section returns to lament but now with a repentant tone, paving the way for renewed petitions and recollections of God’s past help later in the chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 24:13
In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have cleansed thee and thou wast not cleansed, thou shalt not be cleansed from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my wrath toward thee to rest.
- Zechariah 1:5
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
- Job 33:27
He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not:
- 2 Kings 24:4
and also for the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood: and Jehovah would not pardon.
- Luke 15:18
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:
- Lamentations 1:18
Jehovah is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: Hear, I pray you, all ye peoples, and behold my sorrow: My virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
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