Lamentations 3:45
What does Lamentations 3:45 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:45 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:45 means
They lament being made an object of contempt—offscouring and refuse—among the peoples. This is the shame of exile and defeat: other nations scoff at God’s afflicted people. The verse acknowledges that sin not only brings inner ruin but also public dishonor. Such disgrace fulfills covenant warnings. Yet even this humiliation can become a means of grace, stripping pride and pushing the people to seek their honor in Jehovah alone, whose favor is better than the approval of the nations and whose restoration removes reproach in His time.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou hast made us an offscouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou hast made us an offscouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You have made us like waste and that for which there is no use, among the peoples.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Offscouring and refuse Thou dost make us In the midst of the peoples.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Samech. Thou hast made me as an outcast, and refuse in the midst of the people.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou hast made us the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples.
Context
The community now speaks of their standing among nations—despised and treated like trash. Verse 46 will depict enemies gaping in triumph, and verse 47 will summarize the terrors that have come upon them. This continues the lamenting tone while setting up the heartfelt weeping in verses 48–51, which will look for God to notice from heaven.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Lamentations 4:14
They wander as blind men in the streets, they are polluted with blood, So that men cannot touch their garments.
- Lamentations 3:14
I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.
- Deuteronomy 28:37
And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples whither Jehovah shall lead thee away.
- Lamentations 2:15
All that pass by clap their hands at thee; They hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men called The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
- 1 Corinthians 4:13
being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.
- Deuteronomy 28:44
He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Lamentations 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Lamentations 3.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Faithfulness
Faithfulness describes a person’s loyal and steadfast devotion to God, and also God’s unchanging, unfailing character.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Faithfulness of God
God’s faithfulness is a cornerstone of our hope, revealing His unwavering character and His commitment to His promises through all generations.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Mercy of God
God’s mercy is a profound aspect of His character, showing His compassionate love and steadfast faithfulness toward humanity
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Anniversary of a Loss
When the calendar remembers — verses for the day you can't forget.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Hopeless
When the future has gone gray — verses that don't lecture, only hold.