King James Version

What Does Lamentations 3:5 Mean?

Lamentations 3:5 in the King James Version says “He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.”

Lamentations 3:5 · KJV

Context

3

Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.

4

My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.

5

He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.

6

He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.

7

He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.

Read Lamentations 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Siege imagery: "He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail" (banah alai vayakaf rosh utla'ah). The verb banah (בָּנָה, "built") suggests constructing siege works—towers, ramps, and walls used in ancient warfare to surround and starve cities. "Compassed" (yakaf, יָקַף) means encircled, surrounded with no escape. "Gall" (rosh, רֹאשׁ) is poison or bitterness. "Travail" (tla'ah, תְּלָאָה) means weariness, hardship. The speaker feels besieged by God Himself—surrounded, cut off, poisoned, and exhausted. This metaphor accurately describes Jerusalem's 18-month siege but also portrays the psychological and spiritual experience of divine discipline. Hebrews 12:11 acknowledges: 'Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.' The siege metaphor prepares for recognizing that God's purposes, though painful, are ultimately redemptive.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient siege warfare involved surrounding a city, cutting off supplies, and building siege works. 2 Kings 25:1 records: 'Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and built forts against it round about.' These 'forts' (dayeq) were siege ramps, towers, and walls. Jeremiah 6:6 describes: 'Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem.' Ezekiel 4:1-3 symbolically enacts this siege. The psychological effect was crushing—no escape, supplies dwindling, disease spreading, enemy visible on all sides. Josephus describes similar conditions in AD 70. The metaphor extends beyond physical siege to spiritual/emotional experience—feeling trapped with no relief. Yet even siege ends; cities fall or are rescued. The question is whether the besieged submit or resist until destruction. Jeremiah counseled submission to Babylon to minimize suffering (Jeremiah 21:8-10, 38:2-3)—practical wisdom often rejected.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the siege metaphor help us understand experiences when we feel trapped, surrounded, and unable to escape our circumstances?
  2. What's the spiritual application of Jeremiah's counsel to submit to Babylon—are there times when submitting to God's discipline is wiser than resisting?
  3. How does knowing that sieges eventually end (one way or another) provide perspective during seasons of feeling spiritually besieged?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
בָּנָ֥ה1 of 5

“He hath builded”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

עָלַ֛י2 of 5
H5921

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

וַיַּקַּ֖ף3 of 5

“against me and compassed”

H5362

to strike with more or less violence (beat, fell, corrode); by implication (of attack) to knock together, i.e., surround or circulate

רֹ֥אשׁ4 of 5

“me with gall”

H7219

a poisonous plant, probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head); generally poison (even of serpents)

וּתְלָאָֽה׃5 of 5

“and travail”

H8513

distress

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 3:5 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 3:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 3:19Jeremiah 23:15Job 19:8Psalms 69:21Lamentations 3:7-9Jeremiah 8:14

Test Your Knowledge

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

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