Lamentations Chapter 3 · Verse 43
Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
Original Language Analysis
סַכּ֤וֹתָה
Thou hast covered
H5526
סַכּ֤וֹתָה
Thou hast covered
Strong's:
H5526
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect
בָאַף֙
with anger
H639
בָאַף֙
with anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וַֽתִּרְדְּפֵ֔נוּ
and persecuted
H7291
וַֽתִּרְדְּפֵ֔נוּ
and persecuted
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
3 of 6
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
Cross References
Lamentations 2:17The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.Lamentations 2:21The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied.Psalms 83:15So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.Lamentations 3:66Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
Historical Context
God pursued Israel through multiple judgments before final exile. Warnings ignored led to pitiless execution.
Questions for Reflection
- How reconcile pursuing without pity with merciful character?
- How does the imagery of God covering Himself with anger reveal divine wrath as a barrier?
- What does it mean that God 'pursued' and 'slain' His people, and how does this inform our view of judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
God covered Himself with anger, pursuing and slaying without pity. Divine wrath fully displayed. Yet verses 31-33 promise mercy.