King James Version

What Does Lamentations 3:38 Mean?

Lamentations 3:38 in the King James Version says “Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?”

Lamentations 3:38 · KJV

Context

36

To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not. approveth not: or, seeth not

37

Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

38

Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

39

Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? complain: or, murmur

40

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

Read Lamentations 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Another rhetorical question deepening divine sovereignty: "Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?" The Hebrew mi-pi Elyon lo tetse hara'ot vehatov (מִפִּי עֶלְיוֹן לֹא תֵצֵא הָרָעוֹת וְהַטּוֹב) asserts that both calamities and blessings proceed from God's mouth. The term Elyon (עֶלְיוֹן, "Most High") emphasizes God's supreme authority over all.

The phrase "evil and good" uses hara'ot vehatov (הָרָעוֹת וְהַטּוֹב)—literally "the evils and the good." Here "evil" means calamity, disaster, or hardship, not moral evil. God doesn't cause sin, but He does ordain difficult circumstances for His purposes. Isaiah 45:7 states explicitly: "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil [calamity]: I the LORD do all these things."

This verse challenges both ancient and modern false theology. Ancient Near Eastern dualism taught that good comes from good gods and evil from evil gods—a cosmic battle between equals. Biblical monotheism insists that one sovereign God ordains all things, using even calamity for His purposes. Modern prosperity theology suggests faithful Christians should expect only blessing. But Lamentations teaches that from God's mouth proceeds both affliction and prosperity, judgment and mercy, hardship and blessing. The key is trusting His sovereign wisdom and goodness even when experiencing the "evil" (calamity) He ordains.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This teaching directly confronted Persian-influenced dualism that emerged during and after the exile. Zoroastrianism, Persia's dominant religion, taught cosmic conflict between Ahura Mazda (good god) and Angra Mainyu (evil god). Some exilic Jews may have been tempted toward this dualistic thinking—attributing their blessings to Yahweh and their calamities to an opposing evil power.

But Lamentations insists that both proceed from the Most High's mouth. Job expresses this same theology: "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil [calamity]?" (Job 2:10). Isaiah proclaimed God's absolute sovereignty even over enemy nations: "I will raise up Cyrus...that thou mayest know that I, the LORD...am the God of Israel" (Isaiah 45:3).

The practical import for exiles was profound: their suffering wasn't due to Yahweh's weakness or defeat by Babylon's gods. Rather, Yahweh Himself had decreed the exile as judgment and discipline. This meant hope remained—the same God who spoke calamity could speak restoration. Indeed, the prophets promised that God would reverse the exile (Jeremiah 29:10-14, Isaiah 40:1-2), which occurred when Cyrus conquered Babylon and authorized Jewish return in 538 BC.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the assertion that both calamity and blessing proceed from God's mouth challenge prosperity theology?
  2. What is the difference between God ordaining calamity (disaster, hardship) and God causing moral evil or sin?
  3. How do Isaiah 45:7 and this verse work together to establish God's absolute sovereignty over all circumstances?
  4. In what ways does trusting that our hardships proceed from God's mouth (rather than random chance or evil powers) provide comfort and purpose in suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
מִפִּ֤י1 of 6

“Out of the mouth”

H6310

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

עֶלְיוֹן֙2 of 6

“of the most High”

H5945

an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme

לֹ֣א3 of 6
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֵצֵ֔א4 of 6

“proceedeth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הָרָע֖וֹת5 of 6

“not evil”

H7451

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

וְהַטּֽוֹב׃6 of 6

“and good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

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 3:38 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 3:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 45:7Amos 3:6Jeremiah 32:42Job 2:10Psalms 75:7Proverbs 29:26

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