King James Version

What Does Lamentations 3:53 Mean?

Lamentations 3:53 in the King James Version says “They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.”

Lamentations 3:53 · KJV

Context

51

Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city. mine heart: Heb. my soul because: or, more than all

52

Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.

53

They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.

54

Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.

55

I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The imagery darkens: "They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me." The Hebrew tsamequ vabbor chayayi vayyaddu-even bi describes being trapped and sealed in a pit. Tsamequ (צָמְתוּ) means to destroy, exterminate, or cut off. Vabbor (וַבּוֹר, "in the pit/cistern") refers to an underground chamber, often used for imprisonment or execution.

"Cast a stone upon me" (vayyaddu-even bi, וַיַּדּוּ־אֶבֶן בִּי) suggests sealing the pit's opening with a stone, leaving the victim to die of exposure, thirst, or suffocation. This echoes Jeremiah's literal experience—thrown into a cistern that was muddy and intended as his tomb (Jeremiah 38:6). The stone sealing suggests finality—no escape possible.

Theologically, the pit often symbolizes death, Sheol, or overwhelming crisis (Psalm 40:2, 88:3-6). Yet the very fact this verse exists—that the speaker survived to testify—previews deliverance. Just as Jeremiah was pulled from the cistern (Jeremiah 38:10-13), God delivers those who cry to Him from the depths. This anticipates verses 55-57 where the speaker calls from the pit and God answers. Ultimate the imagery points to Christ, whose tomb was sealed with a stone (Matthew 27:60), yet who rose victorious over death.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah 38:6 provides the historical referent: "Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire." The intention was assassination without direct execution—letting Jeremiah die slowly in the pit.

Ancient cisterns were underground chambers carved into rock, used for water storage. When empty or muddy, they served as prisons (Genesis 37:24, Zechariah 9:11). The muddy conditions and lack of food/water made them death traps. Ebed-melech the Ethiopian rescued Jeremiah using ropes and rags (Jeremiah 38:10-13), demonstrating God's providential preservation.

The practice of sealing tombs with stones was common. Jesus's tomb was sealed with "a great stone" (Matthew 27:60). Daniel's lions' den was sealed with a stone (Daniel 6:17). The stone symbolized finality—no escape, no hope. Yet in each case, God miraculously delivered: Jeremiah pulled from the cistern, Daniel protected in the den, Jesus resurrected from the tomb. The stone intended to seal death became testimony to divine power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does being thrown into a pit and sealed with a stone illustrate the experience of apparently hopeless circumstances?
  2. What does Jeremiah's literal rescue from the cistern teach about God's ability to deliver from impossible situations?
  3. In what ways does Christ's tomb being sealed with a stone connect to this verse, and how does His resurrection provide ultimate hope?
  4. How should believers maintain faith when circumstances seem as final and hopeless as a sealed pit?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
צָֽמְת֤וּ1 of 6

“They have cut off”

H6789

to extirpate (literally or figuratively)

בַבּוֹר֙2 of 6

“in the dungeon”

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

חַיָּ֔י3 of 6

“my life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וַיַּדּוּ4 of 6

“and cast”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

אֶ֖בֶן5 of 6

“a stone”

H68

a stone

בִּֽי׃6 of 6
H0

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 3:53 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 3:53 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 6:17Jeremiah 38:6Jeremiah 38:9Jeremiah 37:16Matthew 27:66Jeremiah 37:20

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