Lamentations 3:27

Authorized King James Version

It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ט֣וֹב
It is good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#2
לַגֶּ֔בֶר
for a man
properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
#3
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#4
יִשָּׂ֥א
that he bear
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#5
עֹ֖ל
the yoke
a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively
#6
בִּנְעוּרָֽיו׃
in his youth
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection