King James Version

What Does Lamentations 1:13 Mean?

Lamentations 1:13 in the King James Version says “From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath tu...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.”

Lamentations 1:13 · KJV

Context

11

All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile. to: or, to make the soul to come again

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. Is it: or, It is nothing pass by: Heb. pass by the way?

13

From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.

14

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.

15

The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress. the virgin: or, the winepress of the virgin, etc

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Divine judgment employs vivid metaphors: "From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them" (mi-marom shalach esh be-atsmotai vayirdena). Fire in bones suggests deep, penetrating pain—not superficial but affecting the core of one's being. Job 30:30 uses similar imagery: "my bones are burned with heat." The phrase "he hath spread a net for my feet" (paras reshet le-raglai) portrays God as hunter trapping prey. Psalm 66:11 and Ezekiel 12:13 employ net imagery for divine judgment. "He hath turned me back" (heshivani achor) indicates frustrated attempts to escape—wherever one turns, the net confines. The result: "he hath made me desolate and faint all the day" (netanani shomemah kol ha-yom davah). The term shomem (שֹׁמֵם, "desolate") describes utter devastation; davah (דָּוָה, "faint, sick") indicates complete physical and spiritual exhaustion. These cumulative images—fire in bones, trapped in net, turned back, desolate, faint—portray judgment's comprehensive, inescapable, debilitating nature.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The imagery would resonate with ancient audiences familiar with hunting practices. Nets were used to trap birds and animals; Proverbs 1:17 warns: "in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird." But God's net cannot be evaded through human cleverness. Fire was the primary force in ancient warfare—cities were burned (2 Kings 25:9), and fire symbolized God's wrath (Deuteronomy 32:22). The phrase 'all the day' (kol ha-yom) emphasizes relentless suffering throughout the siege's duration. Each day brought fresh evidence of judgment's grip: hunger intensified, disease spread, enemy attacks continued, hope diminished. The cumulative effect produced the desolation and faintness described.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do these multiple metaphors (fire, net, desolation) help us grasp judgment's multi-faceted, inescapable nature?
  2. What does it mean that God Himself spreads the net, and how does this relate to divine sovereignty over circumstances?
  3. How can awareness of judgment's severity drive us to the refuge found only in Christ (Hebrews 6:18)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
מִמָּר֛וֹם1 of 15

“From above”

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

שָֽׁלַח2 of 15

“hath he sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֵ֥שׁ3 of 15

“fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

בְּעַצְמֹתַ֖י4 of 15

“into my bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

וַיִּרְדֶּ֑נָּה5 of 15

“and it prevaileth”

H7287

to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off

פָּרַ֨שׂ6 of 15

“against them he hath spread”

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

רֶ֤שֶׁת7 of 15

“a net”

H7568

a net (as catching animals)

לְרַגְלַי֙8 of 15

“for my feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

הֱשִׁיבַ֣נִי9 of 15

“he hath turned”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אָח֔וֹר10 of 15

“me back”

H268

the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west

נְתָנַ֙נִי֙11 of 15

“he hath made”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

שֹֽׁמֵמָ֔ה12 of 15

“me desolate”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

כָּל13 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַיּ֖וֹם14 of 15

“all the day”

H3117

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

דָּוָֽה׃15 of 15

“and faint”

H1739

sick (especially in menstruation)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Lamentations. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Lamentations 1:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Lamentations 1:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 3:16Job 30:30Ezekiel 17:20Job 19:6Psalms 22:14Hebrews 12:29

Test Your Knowledge

Lamentations 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLamentations Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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