Lamentations 3:30 kjv
He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
Lamentations 3:30 nkjv
Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him, And be full of reproach.
Lamentations 3:30 niv
Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.
Lamentations 3:30 esv
let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults.
Lamentations 3:30 nlt
Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them
and accept the insults of their enemies.
Lamentations 3 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lam 3:30 | He gives his cheek to the smiter, and is filled with insult. | Theme: Acceptance of Suffering |
| Matt 5:39 | ...turn to the other also. | NT parallel: Active Non-resistance |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God | NT parallel: Restraint from Revenge |
| 1 Pet 2:20 | ...if you endure when you do wrong and are beaten, what credit is that? | NT parallel: Endurance in Wrongdoing |
| 1 Pet 2:23 | When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued to entrust himself to him who judges justly. | NT parallel: Christ's Example |
| Psalm 34:21 | Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. | OT parallel: Consequences of Wickedness |
| Psalm 119:50 | This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. | OT parallel: God's Word as Comfort |
| Isa 53:7 | He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter... | OT parallel: Suffering Servant |
| Lam 3:1 | I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his indignation; | Context: Jeremiah's Suffering |
| Lam 3:15 | he filled me with bitterness; he made me drink wormwood. | Context: Experience of Suffering |
| Lam 3:16 | he broke my teeth with gravel; he covered me with ashes. | Context: Humiliation |
| Lam 3:27 | It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. | Theme: Benefits of Suffering |
| Lam 3:28 | Let him sit alone in silence when the yoke has been put on him. | Theme: Quiet Endurance |
| Lam 3:29 | Let him put his mouth in the dust—there may yet be hope. | Theme: Humility and Hope |
| Lam 3:31 | For the Lord will not. | Connected to Verse 32 |
| Lam 3:32 | Though he cause sorrow, he will also show compassion... | Theme: God's Compassion |
| Ps 2:4 | He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. | Theme: Divine Sovereignty |
| Lam 3:54 | Waters welled up over my head; I said, "I am cut off." | Context: Depth of Despair |
| Lam 3:58 | O Lord, you have pleaded the cause of my soul; you have redeemed my life. | Theme: Vindication |
| Jer 1:16 | But I will pronounce my judgments against them... | Jeremiáh's prophetic commission |
| 1 Cor 4:11 | To the present hour we hunger and thirst, are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless. | NT parallel: Apostolic Suffering |
| 2 Cor 11:23 | ...far more, in labors, in imprisonments, in far greater hardships, often near death. | NT parallel: Apostolic Suffering |
| Phil 3:10 | that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings... | Theme: Sharing Christ's Sufferings |
Lamentations 3 verses
Lamentations 3 30 Meaning
The verse proclaims a profound willingness to endure suffering and humiliation, not out of a desire for punishment, but as an acceptance of divine chastisement and the opportunity for restoration. It signifies a posture of complete submission and humility before God, believing that even the deepest reproach can lead to ultimate vindication.
Lamentations 3 30 Context
Lamentations chapter 3 depicts the prophet Jeremiah's deep personal suffering and despair in the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction and his people's exile. Despite this overwhelming darkness, the chapter marks a turning point, shifting from lament to a steadfast hope rooted in God's faithfulness. Verse 30 is part of a section (verses 25-39) that emphasizes God's goodness and the importance of patient endurance during affliction. The audience, the beleaguered Israelites, is reminded that their suffering is within the scope of God's sovereignty and can be a means of discipline leading to renewal.
Lamentations 3 30 Word Analysis
- He (וְהוּא - wehu): Refers back to the one experiencing the affliction, the faithful remnant, or even embodying the suffering servant figure foreshadowed in Isaiah. It signifies an active, deliberate choice by the individual.
- gives (יִתֵּן - yitten): Imperfect verb, indicating a habitual or ongoing action, suggesting a willing and repeatable disposition towards suffering indignity. It's not a single, isolated incident, but a characteristic stance.
- his cheek (לְמַקֵּה - lemaqqeh): Literally "to the smiter" or "to him that strikes." The smiter's action is the focus, but the passive recipient is the one offering his cheek. This highlights a non-retaliatory posture.
- to the smiter (לְמַקֵּה - lemaqqeh): Emphasizes the violent and aggressive action directed against the individual. The definite article with "smiter" implies a representative or generic act of aggression.
- and is filled (וּמָלֵא - umale): The conjunction "and" connects the action of offering the cheek with being filled with insult, implying these experiences often go together and are part of the same ordeal. The verb "male" suggests complete saturation, an overwhelming experience.
- with insult (חֶרְפָּה - cherpah): Signifies reproach, disgrace, shame, scorn, and humiliation. It speaks to the verbal abuse and the loss of dignity accompanying the physical abuse.
- Words Group Analysis: The entire phrase "He gives his cheek to the smiter, and is filled with insult" describes a posture of meekness and unresisted aggression. It's a graphic depiction of accepting shame and personal violation without fight or argument, finding strength not in defiance, but in surrendering to the circumstances as God-permitted.
Lamentations 3 30 Bonus Section
The imagery of "giving the cheek" directly invokes a cultural understanding of insult and humiliation. In the ancient Near East, striking someone on the cheek was a deliberate act of shame and degradation. This verse, therefore, paints a picture of profound self-abasement for the sake of maintaining faith and hope in God. It anticipates the actions of Jesus as described in the Gospels, fulfilling the prophetic portrayal of suffering innocents. The juxtaposition of suffering (smiter's action) and insult (being filled with cherpah) highlights the multi-faceted nature of the affliction experienced by the righteous.
Lamentations 3 30 Commentary
This verse speaks of a deep resignation to hardship and dishonor, understanding it as part of God's righteous purpose. It’s not a sign of weakness, but a manifestation of profound faith that trusts in God’s ultimate justice. This attitude is mirrored in Christ’s suffering, who, though innocent, accepted beatings and scorn without retaliation. For believers, embracing this perspective means submitting to difficult circumstances, acknowledging God's hand, and looking beyond the immediate shame to the future hope of redemption and vindication that God promises. It calls for a deliberate choice to endure slander and mistreatment, rather than seeking revenge or self-defense.
- Practical Usage: When facing false accusations or unfair treatment at work, instead of engaging in angry disputes, one might choose a measured, non-confrontational response, entrusting the situation to God's judgment. Similarly, enduring personal insults within a family or community with grace, without escalating conflict, reflects this principle.