Lamentations 3:37

Lamentations 3:37 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
• New International Version (NIV)Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, When the Lord has not commanded it?

Context of Lamentations 3:37

35to turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High, 36to wrong a man in his cause, — will not the Lord see it? Who is he that saith, and there cometh to pass, what the Lord hath not commanded? 38Out of the mouth of the Most High doth not there proceed evil and good? 39Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

Lamentations 3:37 word by word

מִ֣י זֶ֤ה אָמַר֙ וַתֶּ֔הִי אֲדֹנָ֖י לֹ֥א צִוָּֽה׃Read the interlinear

• Lordאֲדֹנָי'ădônây · LordH136
• commandedצָוָהtsâvâh · to commandH6680

Cross-references for Lamentations 3:37

• Psalms 33:9For he spoke, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.
• Proverbs 16:9The heart of man deviseth his way, but Jehovah directeth his steps.
• Proverbs 19:21Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.
• Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
• Isaiah 46:10declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;
• Daniel 4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of the heavens, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
• Romans 9:15For he says to Moses, I will shew mercy to whom I will shew mercy, and I will feel compassion for whom I will feel compassion.
• Ephesians 1:11in whom we have also obtained an inheritance, being marked out beforehand according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his own will,
• James 4:13Go to now, ye who say, To-day or to-morrow will we go into such a city and spend a year there, and traffic and make gain,

Commentaries on Lamentations 3:37

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 37-39Verses 37-39 Why then does a loving God, who disapproves of suffering when inflicted by man upon man, Himself send sorrow and misery? “Because of sins.” Lamentations 3:37 Literally, “Who is this that spake and it was done, though אדני 'ădonāy commanded it not?” Lamentations 3:39 So long as God spares a man‘s life, why does he complain? The chastisement is really for his good; only let him use it aright, and he will be thankful for it in the end. A man…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 37-41Verses 37-41 While there is life there is hope; and instead of complaining that things are bad, we should encourage ourselves with the hope they will be better. We are sinful men, and what we complain of, is far less than our sins deserve. We should complain to God, and not of him. We are apt, in times of calamity, to reflect on other people's ways, and blame them; but our duty is to search and try our own ways, that we may turn from evil to God. Our…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 37-39Some disasters have natural causes (Luke 13:1–5). Bad things happen to both good and bad people (Matthew 5:45). No matter what happens, we should give thanks and not complain (1 Thessalonians 5:18).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 37-3937-39. Who is it that can (as God, Psa 33:9) effect by a word anything, without the will of God?Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Chain
• Derision
• Grieve
• Imagination
• Offscouring
• Poetry
• Acrostic
• Alphabet
• Lamentations, Book of
• Poetry, Hebrew

Commentaries on Lamentations 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings