Lamentations 3:46
What does Lamentations 3:46 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:46 means
Their enemies open wide their mouths against them—gloating, threatening, devouring with words. The image conveys public humiliation and vulnerability. When God’s protective favor is withdrawn, adversaries seize the moment to mock and menace. The verse lays this before Jehovah as part of the burden they bear. It also quietly implies a plea for vindication: what enemies exalt over now, God can yet reverse when He restores His people for His name’s sake.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000All our enemies have opened their mouth wide against us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901All our enemies have opened their mouth wide against us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The mouths of all our haters are open wide against us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Opened against us their mouth have all our enemies.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Phe. All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890All our enemies have opened their mouth against us.
Context
From being despised broadly, the focus turns to the active taunts of enemies. Verse 47 will summarize the calamities—fear, pit, devastation, and destruction—that have befallen them. Verses 48–51 will then express the prophet’s tears over the people’s ruin, pleading for Jehovah to look down from heaven.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 44:13
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and a derision to them that are round about us.
- Exodus 11:7
But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that Jehovah doth make a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.
- Psalms 22:6
But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people.
- Matthew 27:38
Then are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left.
- Psalms 79:10
Wherefore should the nations say, Where is their God? Let the avenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed Be known among the nations in our sight.
- Lamentations 2:16
All thine enemies have opened their mouth wide against thee; They hiss and gnash the teeth; they say, We have swallowed her up; Certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.
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