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

35if they deprive others of their rights in defiance of the Most High, 36if they twist justice in the courts— doesn’t the Lord see all these things? Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission? 38Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? 39Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins?

Lamentations 3:37 word by word

מִ֣י זֶ֤ה אָמַר֙ וַתֶּ֔הִי אֲדֹנָ֖י לֹ֥א צִוָּֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• saithאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• the Lordאֲדֹנָי'ădônây · LordH136
• commandethצָוָהtsâvâh · to commandH6680

Cross-references for Lamentations 3:37

• Psalms 33:9For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.
• Proverbs 16:9We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
• Proverbs 19:21You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
• Proverbs 21:30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.
• Isaiah 46:10Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
• Daniel 4:35All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
• Romans 9:15For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”
• Ephesians 1:11Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
• James 4:13Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.”

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