He bent His bow
This phrase evokes the imagery of God as a warrior, a common motif in the Old Testament. The bow is a symbol of divine judgment and power. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the bow was a primary weapon of war, signifying strength and precision. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages where God is depicted as a warrior, such as in Exodus 15:3, "The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name." The bending of the bow suggests preparation for action, indicating that God is actively involved in the events being described.

and set me as the target
The speaker, traditionally understood to be the prophet Jeremiah, feels personally targeted by God's judgment. This reflects the intense personal suffering and sense of abandonment experienced during the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem. The idea of being a target underscores the feeling of vulnerability and helplessness. This personal lament can be connected to Job's experiences, where he also feels singled out by God’s trials (Job 7:20). It highlights the theme of individual suffering within the broader context of communal judgment.

for His arrow
The arrow represents the specific instruments of God's judgment. In the context of Lamentations, this can be seen as the calamities that have befallen Jerusalem, such as famine, destruction, and exile. Arrows in the Bible often symbolize swift and unavoidable judgment, as seen in Psalm 38:2, "For Your arrows have pierced me deeply, and Your hand has pressed down on me." This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and redemption found in Christ, who bore the arrows of God's wrath on behalf of humanity, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:5, "But He was pierced for our transgressions."

1. Jeremiah
- Traditionally considered the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet." He laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people.

2. Jerusalem
- The city that has been destroyed by the Babylonians, serving as the backdrop for the lamentations and the suffering described in the book.

3. Babylonian Exile
- The event during which the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.Understanding Divine Discipline
The imagery of God bending His bow and setting a target reflects the reality of divine discipline. It is crucial to recognize that God's discipline, though painful, is an expression of His love and desire for our growth and repentance.

The Reality of Suffering
Suffering is a part of the human experience, and Lamentations provides a raw and honest portrayal of it. Acknowledging our pain and bringing it before God is a vital step in the healing process.

Hope Amidst Despair
Even in the midst of lament, there is a thread of hope. Lamentations 3 later speaks of God's mercies being new every morning, reminding us that His faithfulness endures despite our circumstances.

The Call to Repentance
The suffering described in Lamentations serves as a call to repentance. It is an opportunity to examine our lives, turn away from sin, and seek God's forgiveness and restoration.

Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Despite the feeling of being targeted, we are reminded of God's ultimate sovereignty. Trusting in His plan, even when we do not understand it, is a crucial aspect of faith.(12) He hath bent his bow.--(Comp. Job 16:12.) The figure is changed, but there is a natural sequence of thought. The lion suggests the huntsman. but he appears on the scene not to save the victim, but to complete the work of destruction.

Verse 12. - Set me as a mark. Precisely as Job complains of Jehovah, "He hath set me up for his mark" (Job 16:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


He bent
דָּרַ֤ךְ (dā·raḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1869: To tread, to walk, to string a, bow

His bow
קַשְׁתוֹ֙‪‬‪‬ (qaš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

and set me
וַיַּצִּיבֵ֔נִי (way·yaṣ·ṣî·ḇê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5324: To take one's stand, stand

as the target
כַּמַּטָּרָ֖א (kam·maṭ·ṭā·rā)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4307: A guard, ward, prison, target, mark

for His arrow.
לַחֵֽץ׃ (la·ḥêṣ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2671: A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear


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OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:12 He has bent his bow and set (Lam. La Lm)