Lamentations Chapter 3 · Verse 16
He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּגְרֵ֤ס
He hath also broken
H1638
וַיַּגְרֵ֤ס
He hath also broken
Strong's:
H1638
Word #:
1 of 5
to crush; also (intransitively and figuratively) to dissolve
בֶּֽחָצָץ֙
with gravel stones
H2687
בֶּֽחָצָץ֙
with gravel stones
Strong's:
H2687
Word #:
2 of 5
properly, something cutting; hence, gravel (as grit); an arrow
שִׁנָּ֔י
my teeth
H8127
שִׁנָּ֔י
my teeth
Strong's:
H8127
Word #:
3 of 5
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
Cross References
Proverbs 20:17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.Jeremiah 6:26O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.Psalms 3:7Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.Psalms 58:6Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
Historical Context
Exile meant loss of dignity, status, identity. Forced to eat unclean food, live in pagan land.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to be covered with ashes, and how does Christ give beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3)?
- What does eating gravel symbolize about the humiliation and degradation of judgment?
- How might this extreme imagery help us grasp the seriousness of covenant unfaithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
Teeth broken on gravel, trampled in ashes. Humiliation and degradation imagery. From prince to prisoner, beauty to ashes.