Lamentations 3:3
New International Version
indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.

New Living Translation
He has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.

English Standard Version
surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long.

Berean Standard Bible
Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long.

King James Bible
Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.

New King James Version
Surely He has turned His hand against me Time and time again throughout the day.

New American Standard Bible
Indeed, He has turned His hand against me Repeatedly all the day.

NASB 1995
Surely against me He has turned His hand Repeatedly all the day.

NASB 1977
Surely against me He has turned His hand Repeatedly all the day.

Legacy Standard Bible
Surely against me He has turned His hand Repeatedly all the day.

Amplified Bible
Surely He has turned His hand against me Repeatedly all the day.

Christian Standard Bible
Yes, he repeatedly turns his hand against me all day long.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Yes, He repeatedly turns His hand against me all day long.

American Standard Version
Surely against me he turneth his hand again and again all the day.

Contemporary English Version
I am the only one he punishes over and over again, without ever stopping.

English Revised Version
Surely against me he turneth his hand again and again all the day.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He beat me again and again all day long.

Good News Translation
And beat me again and again with merciless blows.

International Standard Version
He truly turned his hand against me, again and again, all day long.

NET Bible
He repeatedly attacks me, he turns his hand against me all day long.

New Heart English Bible
Surely against me he turns his hand again and again all the day.

Webster's Bible Translation
Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long.

World English Bible
Surely he turns his hand against me again and again all day long.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Surely against me He turns back, "" He turns His hand all the day.

Young's Literal Translation
Surely against me He turneth back, He turneth His hand all the day.

Smith's Literal Translation
Surely he will turn back against me; he will turn his hand all the day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Aleph. Only against me he hath turned, and turned again his hand all the day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
ALEPH. Against me only, he has turned and turned again his hand, all day long.

New American Bible
Against me alone he turns his hand— again and again all day long.

New Revised Standard Version
against me alone he turns his hand, again and again, all day long.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But surely is he turned against me, he turns his hand against me all the day.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
However he shall turn and he shall return his hand against me all day
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Surely against me He turneth His hand again and again all the day.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Nay, against me has he turned his hand all the day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah's Afflictions
2He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light. 3Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long. 4He has worn away my flesh and skin; He has shattered my bones.…

Cross References
Job 19:11
His anger burns against me, and He counts me among His enemies.

Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.

Psalm 88:7
Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah

Jeremiah 30:14
All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins.

Job 16:9
His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes.

Psalm 38:2
For Your arrows have pierced me deeply, and Your hand has pressed down on me.

Isaiah 42:25
So He poured out on them His furious anger and the fierceness of battle. It enveloped them in flames, but they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.

Jeremiah 15:17
I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation.

Psalm 39:10
Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.

Job 13:24
Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?

Psalm 102:10
because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside.

Isaiah 50:6
I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.

Jeremiah 6:11
But I am full of the LORD’s wrath; I am tired of holding it back. “Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the young men gathered together. For both husband and wife will be captured, the old and the very old alike.

Job 30:21
You have ruthlessly turned on me; You oppose me with Your strong hand.

Psalm 77:7-9
“Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? / Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? / Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah


Treasury of Scripture

Surely against me is he turned; he turns his hand against me all the day.

Lamentations 2:4-7
He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire…

Deuteronomy 29:20
The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Job 31:21
If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:

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Lamentations 3
1. The prophet bewails his own calamities
22. By the mercies of God, he nourishes his hope
37. He acknowledges God's justice
55. He prays for deliverance
64. And vengeance on his enemies














Indeed,
The use of "indeed" emphasizes certainty and affirmation. In the context of Lamentations, it underscores the reality of the suffering being experienced. The book is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This word sets the tone for the lament, indicating that the following statements are not mere hyperbole but a reflection of genuine distress.

He keeps turning His hand against me
This phrase suggests continuous action, indicating that the speaker feels persistently afflicted by God. In the historical context, the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile were seen as divine judgment for the nation's sins. The "hand" of God is often symbolic of His power and authority (Exodus 3:20, Isaiah 41:10). Here, it is perceived as an instrument of discipline. This reflects the covenant relationship where God promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). Theologically, it raises questions about divine justice and mercy, themes explored throughout the book.

all day long.
The expression "all day long" conveys the unrelenting nature of the suffering. It suggests that the speaker feels there is no respite from the affliction. This can be connected to the broader biblical theme of enduring trials and the hope of eventual deliverance (Psalm 13:1-2, Romans 8:18). The phrase also highlights the intensity of the lament, as the speaker feels overwhelmed by the continuous nature of the hardship. In a typological sense, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's suffering, who endured continuous opposition and ultimately bore the sins of humanity (Isaiah 53:3-5).

Persons / Places / Events
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, leading to the lament and sorrow expressed in the book.

3. Babylonian Exile
- The event during which the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians, marking a period of great suffering and reflection for the Jewish people.
Teaching Points
Understanding Divine Discipline
God's hand may feel heavy upon us, but it is often a form of discipline meant to guide us back to Him. Reflect on how God uses trials to shape our character and faith.

The Role of Lament in Faith
Lament is a valid and important expression of faith. It allows us to bring our deepest pains and questions before God, trusting in His ultimate justice and mercy.

Hope Amidst Suffering
Even in the darkest times, we are called to remember God's faithfulness. Lamentations 3 later reveals hope in God's steadfast love and mercy, encouraging us to trust in His promises.

Perseverance in Prayer
When we feel God's hand is against us, we should persist in prayer, seeking understanding and strength. Prayer is a powerful tool for maintaining our relationship with God during trials.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Lamentations 3:3?

2. How does Lamentations 3:3 illustrate God's discipline in our lives today?

3. What can we learn about God's character from Lamentations 3:3?

4. How does Lamentations 3:3 connect with Hebrews 12:6 on divine discipline?

5. How should we respond when feeling God's "hand against" us continually?

6. How can Lamentations 3:3 encourage perseverance during spiritual trials?

7. What is the historical context of Lamentations 3:3?

8. How does Lamentations 3:3 reflect God's character?

9. Why does Lamentations 3:3 describe God as an adversary?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 3?

11. How can you offer comfort and support in grief?

12. If the Bible is divinely inspired, why does Paul misquote the Old Testament (Romans 3:10-18 vs. Psalms)?

13. If the temple singing turns to wailing in Amos 8:3, why is there little external historical mention of such a dramatic shift in religious rites?

14. Does the despair expressed in Job 3 contradict later biblical accounts (e.g., James 5:11) that describe Job as patient and steadfast?
What Does Lamentations 3:3 Mean
Indeed

- The verse begins with a firm acknowledgment: “Indeed,” signaling that what follows is unquestionably real to the writer.

- Jeremiah, the traditional author, has just lamented, “I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of His wrath” (Lamentations 3:1). This “indeed” ties the thought directly to that earlier confession.

- Other sufferers echo the same certainty: Job admits, “Indeed, I know that it is so” (Job 9:2), and Asaph cries, “Surely God is good to Israel… but as for me, my feet had almost slipped” (Psalm 73:1–2).

- The word anchors us—this is no passing feeling but a settled recognition that the Lord’s hand is involved in what follows.


He keeps turning His hand

- The image of God’s “hand” speaks of active power. Scripture repeatedly illustrates His hand stretched out either to save (Exodus 6:6) or to strike (Isaiah 5:25).

- “Keeps turning” paints relentless motion, like waves that will not stop. David felt the same continuing pressure: “Day and night Your hand was heavy upon me” (Psalm 32:4).

- This persistence reminds us that divine discipline does not relent until it achieves its purpose (Hebrews 12:6–11).

- Even when God’s hand feels harsh, it remains the hand of a loving Father directing His people back to Himself.


Against me

- The prophet experiences the judgment personally: it is not merely national calamity; it pierces the individual heart.

- Similar language flows from Psalm 38:2: “Your arrows have pierced me, and Your hand has come down on me.”

- Jeremiah elsewhere records God’s opposition: “You have filled me with indignation” (Jeremiah 15:17).

- Yet the same God promises, “I am with you and will save you” (Jeremiah 15:20). The clash between present pain and future hope invites trust in His ultimate intentions.


All day long

- The phrase underscores duration—there is no reprieve. Suffering stretches from dawn to dusk, echoing Psalm 71:24, “My tongue will proclaim Your righteousness all day long”, though here it is pain, not praise, that is constant.

- Israel knew this unending reproach: “All day long My name is despised” (Isaiah 52:5).

- The continual pressure presses the soul to endurance, preparing the way for the hope articulated later in the chapter: “His compassions never fail; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23).

- Thus, the relentless day drives the sufferer to watch expectantly for the mercies of a new dawn.


summary

Lamentations 3:3 captures the prophet’s conviction that God Himself is actively, personally, and continually disciplining him. Every phrase stacks the weight: it is certainly happening (“Indeed”), by God’s deliberate power (“He keeps turning His hand”), aimed directly at the sufferer (“against me”), and without pause (“all day long”). Yet within this sober admission lies an invitation to see the Father’s purposeful hand—a hand that wounds only to heal and disciplines only to restore.

(3) Against me is he turned.--Better, against me He turneth His hand again and again, the first verb being one of frequentative action, and giving that significance to the second.

Verse 3. - Is he turned; he turneth; rather, he turneth again and again.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Indeed,
אַ֣ךְ (’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

He keeps turning
יָשֻׁ֛ב (yā·šuḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

His hand
יָד֖וֹ (yā·ḏōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

[against me] all day long.
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every


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OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:3 Surely against me he turns his hand (Lam. La Lm)
Lamentations 3:2
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