Lamentations 3:11

Old Testament Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Lamentations 3:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.
Lamentations 3:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Lamentations 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He hath turned aside my ways, etc.] Or caused me to depart or go back from the way I was in, and so fall into the hand of the enemy that lay in wait, as before. Jarchi interprets the word of thorns, and of scattering the way with thorns, and hedging it up with them, so that there was no passing, (<280206>Hosea 2:6); the sense seems to be the same with (<250309>Lamentations 3:9); and pulled me in pieces: as any creature that falls into the hands of a bear or lion. Jarchi says it signifies a stopping of the feet, so that the traveller cannot go on in his way; and in the Talmudic language it is used for the breaking off of branches of trees, which being strowed in the way, hinder passengers…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“turned aside--made me wander out of the right way, so as to become a prey to wild beasts. pulled in pieces-- (Hos 6:1), as a "bear" or a "lion" (Lam 3:10).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Having dwelt upon the difficulties which hemmed in his path, he now shows that there are dangers attending upon escape. Lamentations 3:11 The meaning is, “God, as a lion, lying in wait, has made me turn aside from my path, but my flight was in vain, for springing upon me from His ambush lie has torn me in pieces.” Desolate - Or, astonied, stupefied that he cannot flee. The word is a favorite one with Jeremiah. Lamentations 3:12 This new simile arises out of the former one, the idea of a hunter being suggested by that of the bear and lion. When the hunter comes, it is not to save him. Lamentations 3:14 Metaphor is dropped, and Jeremiah shows the real nature of the arrows which rankled in him…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“pulled: Job 16:12, Job 16:13; Psa 50:22; Jer 5:6, Jer 51:20-22; Dan 2:40-44, Dan 7:23; Mic 5:8; Hos 6:1 he hath made: Lam 1:13; Job 16:7; Isa 3:26; Jer 6:8, Jer 9:10, Jer 9:11, Jer 19:8, Jer 32:43; Mat 23:38; Rev 18:19 Lamentations 3:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification