Lamentations 3:33 kjv
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
Lamentations 3:33 nkjv
For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men.
Lamentations 3:33 niv
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Lamentations 3:33 esv
for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.
Lamentations 3:33 nlt
For he does not enjoy hurting people
or causing them sorrow.
Lamentations 3 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lam 3:22 | The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end | God's enduring love and mercy |
| Lam 3:23 | they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness | New mercies each day |
| Ps 145:8 | The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love | God's character of compassion |
| Ps 103:8 | The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love | His enduring nature |
| Num 14:18 | 'The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will not by any means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children—and on the children’s children—to the third and the fourth generation.' | His attributes defined |
| Jer 3:12 | 'Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “Return, O faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am steadfast love, declares the Lord; I will not keep anger forever.”' | God's gracious invitation to return |
| Jer 31:3 | I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. | The permanence of God's love |
| Isa 63:7 | I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has bestowed on us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel, which he has bestowed on them according to his compassion, and according to the abundance of his steadfast love. | God's love and goodness towards Israel |
| Lam 2:13 | For your ruins I will lay waste; your punishment is a pestilence that you shall not escape. But you shall weep and go into captivity, and you shall know that I have spoken, says the Lord. | Contrast with God's discipline |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. | God's faithfulness in trial |
| Heb 12:5-6 | and have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when rebuked by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and flogses every son whom he receives.” | Discipline as a sign of love |
| Ps 119:75 | I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have humbled me. | Humiliation as an act of faithfulness |
| Ps 86:5 | For you, O Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and to abound in steadfast love to all who call on you. | God's readiness to forgive |
| Mic 7:18 | Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. | God's delight in mercy |
| Gal 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness | Faithfulness as a fruit of the Spirit |
| Rom 11:29 | For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. | God's unchanging promises |
| 2 Tim 2:13 | if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. | God's immutable character |
| Matt 5:48 | You therefore must be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. | Call to perfection, reflecting God |
| 1 Thess 5:24 | He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. | God's faithful action |
| Rev 3:14 | “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. | Jesus as the faithful witness |
Lamentations 3 verses
Lamentations 3 33 Meaning
This verse expresses God's unfailing faithfulness and compassion, even amidst immense suffering and personal affliction. It is not a rejection of His love, but an affirmation of its enduring nature, revealed through His inherent goodness.
Lamentations 3 33 Context
Lamentations 3 is a profound expression of personal and national anguish in the face of Jerusalem's destruction and Israel's exile. The prophet Jeremiah (traditionally the author) articulates deep sorrow, acknowledging the devastating consequences of sin. However, within this profound despair, a pivot occurs, emphasizing a steadfast hope grounded in God's unchanging nature. This specific verse, Lamentations 3:33, stands as a beacon of faith amidst utter devastation, affirming God's character as the source of enduring hope, even when His discipline is keenly felt. It's a response that chooses to focus on God's intrinsic goodness rather than solely on the immediate, terrible circumstances.
Lamentations 3 33 Word Analysis
כִּי (ki): This is a common Hebrew conjunction, often translated as "for," "because," or "that." Here, it functions to introduce a reason or explanation for the preceding sentiment of lament, transitioning into an affirmation of God's character. It signals the cause or ground of the following statement.
בְּ (bə): A versatile preposition meaning "in," "with," "by," or "through." In this context, it connects God's lack of delighting in the affliction of mankind to His inherent disposition or nature. It emphasizes that this is within Him, an integral part of His being.
חִפֵּץ (ḥip̄ṣ): Derived from the root חפץ (ḥāp̄aṣ), meaning "to desire," "to take pleasure in," or "to delight in." The negation "not" (לֹא, lō') indicates that God does not find pleasure or take satisfaction in causing suffering to humanity. This highlights God's benevolent heart.
שִׁפְלוּת (šîplûṯ): This word signifies "humiliation," "abasement," or "affliction," often referring to a state of lowliness or misery. It points to the condition of suffering, degradation, or sorrow.
וְ (wə): The conjunction "and," connecting "humiliation" to "affliction," suggesting that these are either synonyms, related aspects, or encompassing terms for the misery being discussed.
אֹ֫טִי (ʾōṭî): A rare noun that can mean "affliction," "misery," or "trouble." Some scholars suggest a connection to a root meaning to bend or afflict. It reinforces the idea of distress and hardship.
God's Desire (בְּחִפֵּץ): The phrase "He does not take pleasure" (לֹא יְחַפֵּץ) emphasizes that suffering is not God's will for humanity, despite His allowing it as a consequence of sin or as a form of discipline. This contrasts with the idea that God actively desires suffering.
Affliction of Mankind (שִׁפְלוּת וְאֹטִי): The combined terms "humiliation" and "affliction" paint a comprehensive picture of human suffering – not just external hardships, but the inner degradation and misery that accompany them. It conveys the profound brokenness experienced.
Lamentations 3 33 Bonus Section
The concept of God not delighting in affliction is crucial for understanding theodicy (the problem of evil and suffering). It acknowledges that while God is sovereign and allows suffering, He is not its source of pleasure. This verse aligns with a God who loves, disciplines out of love, and desires the ultimate restoration of His people, not their destruction. It's a testament to God's mercy and goodness that shines even brighter when juxtaposed against the bleakness of sin and its consequences. This understanding offers comfort and perspective during difficult times, assuring believers that their struggles are not met with divine glee, but with a compassionate Father who longs for their well-being.
Lamentations 3 33 Commentary
Despite the intense sorrow and the recognition of sin's consequences detailed in the preceding verses, the prophet pivots to an unshakeable truth about God's heart. He assures his audience that the suffering they endure is not because God delights in their pain. On the contrary, God's inherent nature is benevolent, and He finds no pleasure in the affliction or misery of His creation. This does not negate the reality of suffering or God's permissive will in allowing it for purposes of discipline and purification, but it redirects the focus from God as the instigator of pain for His own satisfaction to God as a loving Father who experiences no joy in His children's suffering. It's a profound affirmation that God's true delight is found elsewhere – in His own faithfulness, His promises, and ultimately, in His redemptive plan.