Lamentations 1:12
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.
Original Language Analysis
ל֣וֹא
H3808
ל֣וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֹ֣בְרֵי
Is it nothing to you all ye that pass
H5674
עֹ֣בְרֵי
Is it nothing to you all ye that pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 20
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
דֶרֶךְ֒
by
H1870
דֶרֶךְ֒
by
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
5 of 20
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַבִּ֣יטוּ
behold
H5027
הַבִּ֣יטוּ
behold
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
6 of 20
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
וּרְא֗וּ
and see
H7200
וּרְא֗וּ
and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
7 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
8 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יֵ֤שׁ
if there be
H3426
יֵ֤שׁ
if there be
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
9 of 20
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עוֹלַ֖ל
which is done
H5953
עוֹלַ֖ל
which is done
Strong's:
H5953
Word #:
13 of 20
to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֔ה
unto me wherewith the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
unto me wherewith the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּי֖וֹם
me in the day
H3117
בְּי֖וֹם
me in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
18 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Cross References
Daniel 9:12And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.Jeremiah 18:16To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.Jeremiah 30:24The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.
Historical Context
Reflects the actual horrors of the 18-month siege (589-586 BC): starvation, cannibalism (Lam 2:20; 4:10), mass executions, and temple desecration. Ancient Near Eastern custom was for travelers to pass ruined cities as object lessons, often without pity for those who had defied great powers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does acknowledging that God Himself ordains affliction (rather than blaming circumstances) change the nature of suffering?
- In what ways might your own suffering serve as a witness to others about the consequences of breaking covenant with God?
Analysis & Commentary
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? (לוֹא אֲלֵיכֶם, lo aleikhem)—Jerusalem personified addresses indifferent passersby, a prophetic cry for recognition of her unprecedented suffering. If there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow claims the superlative nature of her grief. Wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me acknowledges divine agency in judgment—not merely Babylonian conquest, but covenant curses executed. This verse is often applied typologically to Christ's suffering (used in Good Friday liturgy), though its primary reference is Jerusalem's historical destruction. The Hebrew construction emphasizes that this affliction comes 'from YHWH'—covenant judgment, not arbitrary fate.