Lamentations 3:51
Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
Original Language Analysis
עֵינִי֙
Mine eye
H5869
עֵינִי֙
Mine eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
1 of 6
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עֽוֹלְלָ֣ה
affecteth
H5953
עֽוֹלְלָ֣ה
affecteth
Strong's:
H5953
Word #:
2 of 6
to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)
לְנַפְשִׁ֔י
mine heart
H5315
לְנַפְשִׁ֔י
mine heart
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִכֹּ֖ל
H3605
מִכֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Jeremiah's prophetic ministry spanned 40+ years, watching the city he loved spiral toward disaster despite his warnings. He knew these people personally—prophesying wasn't abstract theology but relational agony. His nickname 'the weeping prophet' stems from verses like this.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you allow yourself to truly see suffering around you, or do you protect your heart by maintaining emotional distance?
- How does pastoral ministry that 'sees and feels' rather than merely 'teaches and directs' reflect Christ's compassionate high priesthood?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Mine eye affecteth mine heart (עֵינִי עוֹלְלָה לְנַפְשִׁי, eini olelah lenafshi)—'Affecteth' (alal) means to deal severely with, to cause pain. The eye's witnessing causes soul-deep anguish. Because of all the daughters of my city (מִכֹּל בְּנוֹת עִירִי, mikol benot iri)—'daughters' likely refers to women and children of Jerusalem, though could mean surrounding villages (daughter-towns). The specificity of 'all' emphasizes comprehensive grief—not one family spared. This verse reveals the prophet's pastoral heart: leadership that genuinely suffers with those under their care, not merely dispenses theological truth from safe distance.