Lamentations 3:39 kjv
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Lamentations 3:39 nkjv
Why should a living man complain, A man for the punishment of his sins?
Lamentations 3:39 niv
Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?
Lamentations 3:39 esv
Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins?
Lamentations 3:39 nlt
Then why should we, mere humans, complain
when we are punished for our sins?
Lamentations 3 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lam 3:39 | Why should any living person complain, any person, about their sin? | Affirmation of God's justice |
| Rom 3:23 | For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, | Universal sinfulness |
| Rom 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death, | Consequence of sin |
| Isa 43:25 | I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake; | God's prerogative to forgive |
| Ezek 18:25-29 | You say, 'The way of the Lord is not equal.' | Refuting unjust accusations against God |
| Ps 51:4 | Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, | Personal accountability for sin |
| Jer 5:25 | Your iniquities have turned away these things, | Sin's disruptive effect |
| Prov 20:30 | Bruises that make one clean force out evil; | Suffering as a means of purification |
| Hab 1:13 | You who are of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look on wrong, | God's perfect holiness |
| Gen 1:27 | So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; | Original perfect state |
| Gen 3:6 | So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate... | The introduction of sin |
| John 1:29 | The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" | Christ the sin-bearer |
| Acts 17:30 | The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, | Command to repent |
| Rom 5:12 | Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— | Inherited sin and its spread |
| 1 Cor 15:21-22 | For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. | Christ's victory over sin and death |
| Gal 3:22 | But the Scripture declares that all is held captive under sin, | Universal bondage to sin |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | Confession and forgiveness |
| Rev 20:12 | And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what each had done as recorded in the books. | Final judgment based on deeds |
| Phil 2:14 | Do all things without grumbling or questioning, | Exhortation against complaining |
| Deut 32:4 | He is the Rock; his works are perfect, | God's perfection and righteousness |
| Ps 7:11 | God is a righteous judge, and God is filled with daily (and righteous) anger. | God's righteous anger |
| Matt 7:1-2 | "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be justified, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." | Divine standard of judgment |
Lamentations 3 verses
Lamentations 3 39 Meaning
This verse profoundly states that no one should complain about their sin because God’s justice is demonstrated in the punishment. It emphasizes that the consequence of sin is deserved, and a just God rightly imposes it. It highlights the internal struggle of accepting one's own wrongdoing and the sinfulness within.
Lamentations 3 39 Context
Lamentations chapter 3 is a personal lamentation by the prophet Jeremiah during a time of intense suffering for Judah. The chapter details his deep distress and despair over the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of his people. Despite the overwhelming pain and sense of abandonment, Jeremiah moves from personal grief to a realization of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. He acknowledges the people's sin as the cause of their suffering, recognizing that their afflictions are a just consequence from God. Verse 39 arises in this context, reflecting on the deep-seated sinfulness of the people that led to their downfall, and asserting that their complaints are invalid given their own culpability. It’s a moment of profound theological reflection amidst national calamity, leading towards a turning point of hope anchored in God's enduring mercies.
Lamentations 3 39 Word Analysis
- לָמָה (lamah): "Why". This is an interrogative particle used to ask for the reason or cause. It sets up the question of unjustified complaint.
- יִתְאוֹנֵן (yit'onēn): "complain," "protest," or "groan." From the root verb אוֹנַן (onan), meaning to sigh or moan, often with discontent. It carries the sense of murmuring against authority or circumstance.
- חַי (ḥay): "living." Refers to a living being, a person who is alive. This emphasizes the personal and existential nature of the complaint.
- גֶּבֶר (gever): "man," "strong man," or "person." A general term for a human being, emphasizing humanity's frailty and limited understanding.
- עַל (al): "against," "concerning," "about." A preposition indicating the object or target of the complaint.
- חַטָּאתוֹ (ḥaṭṭa’to): "his sin." From the root חָטָא (ḥaṭa’), meaning to miss, to err, or to sin. This word refers to personal wrongdoing and transgression against God's law. The suffix "-o" signifies "his," referring back to the individual person.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "לָמָה יִתְאוֹנֵן חַי גֶּבֶר" (lamah yit'onēn ḥaygever): "Why should a living person complain, a strong man against his sins?" This phrasing questions the validity of any complaint or protest voiced by a human being, emphasizing their mortality ("living") and their inherent flaw or tendency to sin ("his sins"). It’s an accusation of presumptuousness in challenging God’s dealings when one is oneself a sinner. The inclusion of "strong man" (gever) might highlight that even those who are outwardly capable or prominent have no excuse to complain, as sin affects all.
Lamentations 3 39 Bonus Section
The verse touches upon a broader theological theme concerning the relationship between God, sin, and suffering. It aligns with the concept of divine retribution for disobedience, a cornerstone of the Mosaic covenant. Furthermore, the principle that "no one should complain about their sin" points to the importance of repentance not just as an act of turning from sin, but as an acknowledgment of its rightful consequences. In New Testament theology, this finds a parallel in understanding Christ's sacrifice as the ultimate solution to sin and its penalties, enabling believers to approach God without the grounds for complaint or the burden of unaddressed sin. The verse also echoes the cautionary words against grumbling found in the New Testament, such as in Philippians 2:14.
Lamentations 3 39 Commentary
Jeremiah 3:39 serves as a critical hinge point in the lament, shifting focus from the external devastation to the internal spiritual state of the people. It’s a stark reminder that suffering is often a direct result of sin, a principle deeply ingrained in the Old Testament understanding of covenant. The prophet confronts the natural human tendency to blame external factors or divine unfairness rather than acknowledge personal culpability. This verse underscores the justice of God; His judgments, however severe, are merited when the object of judgment is steeped in sin. It is an essential call to introspection and accountability, urging individuals to recognize their own contributions to their hardship before presuming to question God’s actions. This internal disposition is what allows for a genuine turning back to God and an understanding of His enduring, though justly exercised, mercy.