King James Version

What Does Lamentations 1:20 Mean?

Lamentations 1:20 in the King James Version says “Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebe...” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Lamentations 1:20 · KJV

Context

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.

21

They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me. called: or, proclaimed

22

Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Honest appeal: "Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me" (re'eh YHWH ki-tsar-li me'ai chomaru libי nehpakh be-kirbi). The physical descriptions—"bowels troubled" (me'ai chomaru) and "heart turned within me" (libi nehpakh be-kirbi)—convey visceral anguish. Hebrew anthropology located emotions in physical organs: bowels (me'ah) for compassion and distress, heart (lev) for thought and will. The phrase "for I have grievously rebelled" (ki marokh mariti) uses emphatic construction: "rebelling, I have rebelled"—acknowledging willful, serious disobedience. "Abroad the sword bereaveth" (ba-chus shikhelah-charev) describes death outside from warfare. "At home there is as death" (ba-bayit ka-mavet) describes conditions inside (plague, famine) as deadly as warfare. Trapped between external and internal threats, with no escape. Yet the verse begins "Behold, O LORD"—even in despair, the speaker addresses God, maintaining relationship. This models bringing our worst moments to God rather than away from Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The siege created the described conditions: warfare outside Jerusalem's walls, death inside from starvation and disease. Jeremiah 14:18 presents similar picture: 'If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine!' Ezekiel 7:15 warns: 'The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within.' Archaeological evidence from besieged cities shows mass graves, burn layers, destruction, and evidence of malnutrition. The confession of grievous rebellion is significant. Throughout Jeremiah's 40-year ministry, leaders and people refused to acknowledge sin. False prophets promised peace (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11, 23:17). Only when judgment fell did confession come—sadly, too late to avert consequences, though never too late for mercy. The verse demonstrates that even in extremity, honest confession before God is appropriate. Psalm 51:17 promises: 'a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does bringing our anguish honestly to God (rather than suppressing it or avoiding Him) demonstrate faith even in crisis?
  2. What does it mean to be trapped between 'sword without' and 'death within,' and how does this describe the comprehensive nature of judgment?
  3. How does confession of rebellion, even when consequences are unavoidable, still matter to God and affect our restoration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
רְאֵ֨ה1 of 18

“Behold”

H7200

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

יְהוָ֤ה2 of 18

“O LORD”

H3068

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

כִּֽי3 of 18
H3588

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

צַר4 of 18
H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

לִי֙5 of 18
H0
מֵעַ֣י6 of 18

“my bowels”

H4578

used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru

חֳמַרְמָ֔רוּ7 of 18

“are troubled”

H2560

properly, to boil up; hence, to glow (with redness)

נֶהְפַּ֤ךְ8 of 18

“is turned”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

לִבִּי֙9 of 18

“mine heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

בְּקִרְבִּ֔י10 of 18

“within”

H7130

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

כִּ֥י11 of 18
H3588

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

מָרִ֑יתִי12 of 18

“me for I have grievously”

H4784

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

מָרִ֑יתִי13 of 18

“me for I have grievously”

H4784

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

מִח֥וּץ14 of 18

“abroad”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

שִׁכְּלָה15 of 18

“bereaveth”

H7921

properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)

חֶ֖רֶב16 of 18

“the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

בַּבַּ֥יִת17 of 18

“at home”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כַּמָּֽוֶת׃18 of 18

“there is as death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

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 1:20 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 1:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 2:11Proverbs 28:13Deuteronomy 32:25Ezekiel 7:15Isaiah 16:11Job 30:27

Test Your Knowledge

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

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