New Living Translation
Lamentations 3:30
30Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies.
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
28Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. 29Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. 31For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. 32Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.
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 jeer and laugh at me. They slap my cheek in contempt. A mob gathers against me.
- Isaiah 50:6I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.
- Micah 5:1Mobilize! Marshal your troops! The enemy is laying siege to Jerusalem. They will strike Israel’s leader in the face with a rod.
- Matthew 5:39But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
- Matthew 26:67Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,
- Luke 6:29If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.
- 2 Corinthians 11:20You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face.
- Psalms 69:9Passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
- Psalms 123:3Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy, for we have had our fill 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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