King James Version

What Does Lamentations 1:15 Mean?

Lamentations 1:15 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Lamentations 1:15 · KJV

Context

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

16

For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. relieve: Heb. bring back

17

Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's active role in judgment continues: "The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me" (silah kol-abirai Adonai be-kirbi). The verb salah (סָלָה, "trodden under foot, rejected") describes contemptuous trampling—treating warriors as worthless. The "mighty men" (abirim, אַבִּירִים) were elite warriors, yet God crushes them effortlessly. "He hath called an assembly against me" (kara alai mo'ed) uses ironic language—mo'ed usually means appointed feast or sacred assembly (Leviticus 23). Here it's an appointed time of judgment, inverting festive gathering into slaughter. "To crush my young men" (lishbor bacuraj) describes breaking Israel's military strength—the young warriors who should defend are instead destroyed. The final image: "the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress" (darakh Adonai gat le-betulat bat-Yehudah). Winepress imagery appears in Isaiah 63:3 (God treading nations) and Revelation 14:19-20, 19:15 (final judgment). The virgin represents Jerusalem/Judah—once pure, now crushed like grapes, her blood flowing like wine.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's military was systematically destroyed by Babylon. 2 Kings 25:4-7 records the army fleeing when walls were breached, King Zedekiah captured, his sons executed, and himself blinded. Jeremiah 39:4-7 gives similar account. The 'mighty men' included professional soldiers, officers, and the royal guard—all defeated or killed. The winepress metaphor would be familiar; ancient winepresses involved treading grapes with feet to extract juice. Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous winepress installations throughout Israel. The image of God treading people in a winepress is horrifying—human lives crushed like fruit. Yet it accurately portrays judgment's totality. Joel 3:13 uses similar imagery: 'the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God 'treading' and 'trampling' His people challenge comfortable views of divine love divorced from holiness and justice?
  2. What does the ironic use of 'appointed feast' (<em>mo'ed</em>) for judgment teach about God's sovereignty over timing?
  3. How does Christ experience the winepress of God's wrath (Isaiah 63:3, Revelation 19:15) so believers are spared?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
סִלָּ֨ה1 of 16

“hath trodden under foot”

H5541

to hang up, i.e., weigh, or (figuratively) contemn

כָל2 of 16
H3605

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

אַבִּירַ֤י׀3 of 16

“all my mighty”

H47

a valiant one

אֲדֹנָ֔י4 of 16

“The Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

בְּקִרְבִּ֔י5 of 16

“men in the midst”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

קָרָ֥א6 of 16

“of me he hath called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

עָלַ֛י7 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מוֹעֵ֖ד8 of 16

“an assembly”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

לִשְׁבֹּ֣ר9 of 16

“against me to crush”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

בַּחוּרָ֑י10 of 16

“my young men”

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

גַּ֚ת11 of 16

“as in a winepress”

H1660

a wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them)

דָּרַ֣ךְ12 of 16

“hath trodden”

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

אֲדֹנָ֔י13 of 16

“The Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

לִבְתוּלַ֖ת14 of 16

“the virgin”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

בַּת15 of 16

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יְהוּדָֽה׃16 of 16

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

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 1:15 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 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 63:3Malachi 4:3Isaiah 28:18Luke 21:24Hebrews 10:29Revelation 14:19-20

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