King James Version

What Does Lamentations 1:22 Mean?

Lamentations 1:22 in the King James Version says “Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my... — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Lamentations 1:22 · KJV


Context

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The chapter concludes with a sobering request: "Let all their wickedness come before thee" (tavo kol-ra'atam lefaneikha). This prayer appeals for divine justice on those who mocked and harmed Jerusalem. "And do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions" (ve'olel lamo ka'asher olalta li al kol-pesha'ai) requests equitable judgment—not excessive revenge but appropriate consequences. The verse acknowledges that what Jerusalem experienced ("as thou hast done unto me") was deserved ("for all my transgressions"). If God justly judged His own people, He must also judge their enemies. The final cry: "for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint" (ki-rabot anchoti ve-libi davai). Multiple sighs (rabot anchoti) and faint heart (libi davai) describe exhaustion and overwhelm. The chapter that began with desolation (verse 1) ends with personal collapse. Yet even this is presented to God—maintaining dialogue demonstrates faith. Total despair would be silence; continued petition shows hope remains.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The prayer for God to judge Israel's enemies was eventually answered. Babylon, which destroyed Jerusalem, was itself conquered by Persia in 539 BC (Daniel 5, Isaiah 13-14, Jeremiah 50-51). Edom, which celebrated Judah's fall, was later destroyed (Obadiah 1:1-16, Jeremiah 49:7-22). The principle appears throughout Scripture: nations that harm God's people eventually face judgment (Genesis 12:3, Zechariah 2:8-9). However, timing differs from human expectations. Babylon ruled for decades before falling; Edom's destruction came gradually. Habakkuk 1-2 wrestles with this timing question. God's response: judgment will come at appointed time (Habakkuk 2:3). The New Testament shows that ultimate justice occurs at final judgment (Revelation 6:10, 18:6-8, 20). Meanwhile, believers are called to love enemies, pray for persecutors, and trust God for vindication (Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:17-21). The tension between imprecatory psalms and Jesus's love command resolves in understanding that personal forgiveness doesn't negate divine justice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we balance praying for God's justice on evildoers with Jesus's command to love enemies and pray for persecutors?
  2. What does it mean to pray 'do unto them as You have done to me'—seeking proportionate justice rather than excessive revenge?
  3. How does bringing exhaustion and faintness of heart to God in prayer demonstrate faith even when we feel spiritually and emotionally depleted?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
תָּבֹ֨א1 of 17

come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

כָל2 of 17
H3605

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

רָעָתָ֤ם3 of 17

Let all their wickedness

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙4 of 17

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

עוֹלַ֛לְתָּ5 of 17

thee and do

H5953

to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)

לָ֔מוֹ6 of 17
H0
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר7 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עוֹלַ֛לְתָּ8 of 17

thee and do

H5953

to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)

לִ֖י9 of 17
H0
עַ֣ל10 of 17
H5921

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

כָּל11 of 17
H3605

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

פְּשָׁעָ֑י12 of 17

unto me for all my transgressions

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

כִּֽי13 of 17
H3588

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

רַבּ֥וֹת14 of 17

are many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

אַנְחֹתַ֖י15 of 17

for my sighs

H585

sighing

וְלִבִּ֥י16 of 17

and my heart

H3820

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

דַוָּֽי׃17 of 17

is faint

H1742

sick; figuratively, troubled


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 1:22 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 1:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge