King James Version

What Does Lamentations 1:18 Mean?

Lamentations 1:18 in the King James Version says “The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: ...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. commandment: Heb. mouth”

Lamentations 1:18 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

18

The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. commandment: Heb. mouth

19

I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.

20

Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse marks a crucial theological shift: "The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment" (tsaddiq hu YHWH ki fihu mariti). After sixteen verses describing suffering, Jerusalem finally acknowledges God's justice. The word tsaddiq (צַדִּיק) means righteous, just, in the right. Even in judgment, God's character remains unblemished. This confession is essential—repentance begins with acknowledging God's righteous anger against sin. The phrase "I have rebelled against his commandment" uses marah (מָרָה), meaning to be contentious, rebellious, or bitter against authority. This isn't mere weakness or mistake but willful defiance. The singular "commandment" (fihu, פִּיהוּ, literally "His mouth") may refer to God's authoritative word in general or to specific prophetic warnings Judah ignored. Rebellion against God's revealed will brought inevitable judgment. The appeal "Hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow" calls witnesses to observe how God deals with covenant breaking. The phrase "my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity" emphasizes loss of future hope—the next generation taken away. Yet this honest acknowledgment of deserved judgment prepares the heart for receiving mercy. Reformed theology emphasizes that genuine repentance includes confessing God's righteousness even while experiencing His discipline.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This confession reflects the prophets' consistent message. Jeremiah repeatedly called Judah to acknowledge sin and accept God's righteous judgment (Jeremiah 3:13, 14:20, 25:5-7). Daniel's prayer in Babylon (Daniel 9:4-19) exemplifies this same theology: God is righteous, we have sinned, our suffering is deserved, yet we appeal to God's mercy. The historical context shows that many in Judah resisted this conclusion. False prophets insisted God would never let Jerusalem fall because His temple was there (Jeremiah 7:4, 26:9). Some blamed Josiah's reforms for angering the "Queen of Heaven" (Jeremiah 44:17-18). Others blamed political mistakes rather than spiritual rebellion. But the faithful remnant, represented in Lamentations' voice, recognized that no one could righteously complain against God's judgments (Lamentations 3:39). The call for "all people" to hear witnesses to the nations. Israel's election as God's people meant their judgment would be visible to surrounding nations as a testimony to God's holiness. Deuteronomy 4:6-8 promised that obedience would cause nations to marvel at Israel's wisdom; conversely, disobedience would demonstrate that even God's favored people cannot escape consequences of rebellion (1 Peter 4:17-18).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is acknowledging God's righteousness in judgment essential to genuine repentance and restoration?
  2. How does the statement 'The LORD is righteous' challenge our tendency to view ourselves as victims when facing consequences of sin?
  3. What does it mean that rebellion is not just against rules but against God's 'commandment'—His personal, authoritative word?
  4. In what ways does Jerusalem's public confession before 'all people' model the corporate nature of repentance that God desires from His covenant community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
צַדִּ֥יק1 of 16

“is righteous”

H6662

just

ה֛וּא2 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יְהוָ֖ה3 of 16

“The LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֣י4 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

פִ֣יהוּ5 of 16

“against his commandment”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

מָרִ֑יתִי6 of 16

“for I have rebelled”

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

שִׁמְעוּ7 of 16

“hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

נָ֣א8 of 16
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

כָל9 of 16
H3605

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

עַמִּ֗ים10 of 16

“I pray you all people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וּרְאוּ֙11 of 16

“and behold”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מַכְאֹבִ֔י12 of 16

“my sorrow”

H4341

anguish or (figuratively) affliction

בְּתוּלֹתַ֥י13 of 16

“my virgins”

H1330

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

וּבַחוּרַ֖י14 of 16

“and my young men”

H970

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

הָלְכ֥וּ15 of 16

“are gone”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בַשֶּֽׁבִי׃16 of 16

“into captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

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 1:18 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 1:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 119:75Zephaniah 3:51 Samuel 12:14-15Jeremiah 12:1Lamentations 1:12Psalms 107:11

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Lamentations 1 →

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