King James Version

What Does Lamentations 3:46 Mean?

Lamentations 3:46 in the King James Version says “All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.”

Lamentations 3:46 · KJV

Context

44

Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.

45

Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.

46

All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.

47

Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.

48

Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Read Lamentations 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. This brief but poignant verse captures the experience of mockery and contempt that accompanied Jerusalem's destruction. The Hebrew phrase "opened their mouths" (patsu alenu pihem, פָּצוּ עָלֵינוּ פִּיהֶם) is a vivid idiom describing wide-mouthed derision, scornful speech, and verbal assault. It appears elsewhere in Scripture to depict enemies' taunting and blasphemous speech (Psalm 22:13, 35:21, Job 16:10).

The word "all" (kol, כֹּל) emphasizes the totality of the humiliation—not just one or two enemies, but all surrounding nations joined in mocking God's people. This fulfilled warnings in Deuteronomy 28:37 that covenant disobedience would make Israel "a byword and a proverb among all nations." The mockery was particularly painful because it implicitly mocked Israel's God, questioning His power and faithfulness (Psalm 42:3, 10; 79:10).

Yet within Lamentations' broader context, this complaint is framed by hope. The chapter's center (verses 22-26) affirms God's faithfulness and mercies. The enemies' mocking voices cannot nullify God's covenant promises. This pattern anticipates Christ, who endured similar mockery (Matthew 27:39-44) yet through suffering accomplished redemption. The verse reminds believers that enduring contempt for faith is part of following a suffering Savior, but such suffering is neither meaningless nor final.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Lamentations was written in the immediate aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon in 586 BC. The city that had been the center of God's worship, the location of His temple, and the symbol of His covenant with David lay in ruins. The survivors witnessed not only physical devastation but profound theological crisis—how could God's city fall? How could the temple be destroyed? The surrounding nations—Edom, Moab, Ammon, and others who had long resented Judah's claims of divine favor—seized the opportunity to mock and taunt.

Ancient Near Eastern warfare involved not just military conquest but theological claims. Victorious nations proclaimed their gods superior to the defeated nation's deities. When Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, surrounding peoples interpreted this as Yahweh's defeat by Marduk, not as Yahweh's judgment on His own people for covenant breaking. This added spiritual anguish to physical suffering—the Lord's name was being blasphemed because of Israel's sin (Isaiah 52:5, Romans 2:24).

The book's acrostic structure (alphabetical poems) suggests careful composition, turning raw grief into structured lament. This ancient Near Eastern literary form enabled the community to express grief liturgically while maintaining theological coherence, ultimately affirming God's sovereignty even in judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should we respond when our faith becomes an object of ridicule or contempt in our culture, and what can we learn from Jeremiah's example in Lamentations?
  2. What does this verse teach us about the relationship between covenant disobedience and the world's perception of God's people?
  3. How does Jesus's experience of mockery and contempt (Matthew 27:39-44) fulfill and transform the suffering expressed in this verse?
  4. In what ways might God use the experience of being mocked or marginalized to deepen our faith and dependence on Him rather than human approval?
  5. How can we maintain hope and confidence in God's faithfulness when circumstances seem to validate our enemies' mockery?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
פָּצ֥וּ1 of 5

“have opened”

H6475

to rend, i.e., open (especially the mouth)

עָלֵ֛ינוּ2 of 5
H5921

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

פִּיהֶ֖ם3 of 5

“their mouths”

H6310

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

כָּל4 of 5
H3605

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

אֹיְבֵֽינוּ׃5 of 5

“All our enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

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 3:46 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 3:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 2:16Psalms 22:6-8Psalms 79:4Matthew 27:38-45Job 30:9-11Exodus 11:7

Test Your Knowledge

Lamentations 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLamentations Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Lamentations 3 with CommentaryAll Lamentations ChaptersComplete Lamentations QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes