God’s Word Translation
Lamentations 3:30
30They should turn their cheeks to the one who strikes them and take their fill of insults.
Lamentations 3:30 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
- New International Version (NIV)Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.
- English Standard Version (ESV)let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him, And be full of reproach.
Context of Lamentations 3:30
28They should sit alone and remain silent because the Lord has laid these burdens on them. 29They should put their mouths in the dust. Maybe a reason to hope exists. They should turn their cheeks to the one who strikes them and take their fill of insults. 31“The Lord will not reject ⌞such⌟ people forever. 32Even if he makes us suffer, he will have compassion in keeping with the richness of his mercy.
Read all of Lamentations 3Lamentations 3:30 word by word
יִתֵּ֧ן לְמַכֵּ֛הוּ לֶ֖חִי יִשְׂבַּ֥ע בְּחֶרְפָּֽה׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Lamentations 3:30
- Job 16:10People ridiculed me with their mouths. They slapped my cheeks with contempt. They united against me.
- Isaiah 50:6I will offer my back to those who whip me and my cheeks to those who pluck hairs out of my beard. I will not turn my face away from those who humiliate me and spit on me.
- Micah 5:1Now, gather your troops, you city of troops. We are under attack. Enemies will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek with a stick.
- Matthew 5:39But I tell you not to oppose an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to him as well.
- Matthew 26:67Then they spit in his face, hit him with their fists, and some of them slapped him.
- Luke 6:29If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t stop him from taking your shirt.
- 2 Corinthians 11:20When someone makes you slaves, consumes your wealth, seizes your property, orders you around, or slaps your faces, you put up with it.
- Psalms 69:9Indeed, devotion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
- Psalms 123:3Have pity on us, O Lord. Have pity on us because we have suffered more than our share of contempt.
Commentaries on Lamentations 3:30
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 30He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth - He has that love that is not provoked. He is not quarrelsome, nor apt to resent injuries; he suffers long and is kind. Or, it may be rendered, "let him give his cheek." He is filled full with reproach - Though all this take place, yet let his "trust be in God, who will not cast off for ever." God will take his part, and bring him safely through all hardships.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28-30Verses 28-30 Translate: Let him sit alone and keep silence; For He (God) hath laid the yoke upon him. Let him place his mouth in the dust; Perchance there is hope. Let him offer his cheek to him that smiteth him; Let him be filled to the full with reproach. It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth, but only if he bear it rightly. To attain this result, let him learn resignation, remembering who has laid the yoke upon him. This reverential…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-36Verses 21-36 Having stated his distress and temptation, the prophet shows how he was raised above it. Bad as things are, it is owing to the mercy of God that they are not worse. We should observe what makes for us, as well as what is against us. God's compassions fail not; of this we have fresh instances every morning. Portions on earth are perishing things, but God is a portion for ever. It is our duty, and will be our comfort and satisfaction, to hope…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 29-30In the ancient Near East, lying face down in the dust showed submission (Genesis 17:1–3; Leviticus 9:24; Joshua 7:6; 1 Samuel 5:4; 1 Kings 18:39; 1 Chronicles 21:16; Matthew 17:5–6). To turn the other cheek shows a willingness to submit rather than fight back. Jesus likely had this verse in mind when he taught his disciples to accept persecution (Matthew 5:39). This response shows trust that God rules over all things, even over suffering.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 28-3028-30. The fruit of true docility and patience. He does not fight against the yoke (Jr 31:18; Ac 9:5), but accommodates himself to it. alone--The heathen applauded magnanimity, but they looked to display and the praise of men. The child of God, in the absence of any witness, "alone," silently submits to the will of God. borne it upon him--that is, because he is used to bearing it on him. Rather, "because He (the Lord, La 3:26) hath laid it on him"…Read the comment
Topics related to Lamentations 3:30
In the dictionaries
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
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