Lamentations 3:30
in Lamentations 3Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him; let him be filled full with reproach.
KJV
He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
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This verse in Lamentations 3
Commentary
9 notes on this verseThird, the condition of the person expecting can refer to their patience in tribulation. "Let him give his cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults." That is, be prepared to give: "his cheek to the smiter." For the Apostle Matthew states: "but if …
This site's exposition
Let him sit alone in silence
on Lamentations 3:28-30
The posture is chosen: “Let him sit alone in silence, for God has disciplined him”. With his face in the dust he still looks toward hope, “perhaps there is still hope”. The unit closes in nonresistance, “Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him”.
This site's exposition
Let him offer his cheek
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown see Isaiah 50:6 fulfilled here, where the Servant gives his cheeks to those who strike him. Albert Barnes calls this the harder task, for many who bow to God resent suffering that comes through men. Augustine cited the verse on patience.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
But all those who call their lands by their own names and have wood and hay and stubble in their thoughts; such as these, since they are strangers to difficulties, become aliens from the kingdom of heaven. Had they however known that "tribulation perfects patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed," they would have exercised themselves, after the example of Paul. He said, "I bring my body into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
4 , whose souls were exceedingly filled with the contempt of the proud ), he shall find that it is good to bear the yoke, that it shall turn to his spiritual advantage. The sum is, If tribulation work patience, that patience will work experience, and that experience a hope that makes not ashamed.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him,.... Either to God that afflicts him, and patiently bears it; see Isa 9:13; or rather to men.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
He 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.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
He does not fight against the yoke (Jer 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.
1 more voice on this verse
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
Messiah, the Antitype, fulfilled this; His practice agreeing with His precept (Isa 50:6; Many take patiently afflictions from God, but when man wrongs them, they take it impatiently.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
The words behind it
5 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| יִתֵּ֧ן | yiten | let him give | H5414 → | 2011 times |
| לְמַכֵּ֛הוּ | lemakehu | to [the] [one who] strikes him | H5221 → | |
| לֶ֖חִי | lechi | a cheek | H3895 → | |
| יִשְׂבַּ֥ע | yisba' | let him be sated | H7646 → | 97 times |
| בְּחֶרְפָּֽה׃ ס | becherpah | with reproach | H2781 → | 73 times |
יִתֵּ֧ןlet him give
yitenH5414 →2011 times
לְמַכֵּ֛הוּto [the] [one who] strikes him
lemakehuH5221 →
לֶ֖חִיa cheek
lechiH3895 →
יִשְׂבַּ֥עlet him be sated
yisba'H7646 →97 times
בְּחֶרְפָּֽה׃ סwith reproach
becherpahH2781 →73 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Isaiah 50:6I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
it leads to
- Matthew 27:30
Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Matthew 26:67
Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him
- Mark 14:65
Then some of them began to spit on Him. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in His face.
- Matthew 27:30
Through
Matthew 5:39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
it leads to
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- 1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
- Romans 12:17–19
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Through
Matthew 26:67Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him
it leads to
- Isaiah 50:6
I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Isaiah 50:6
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies17
On this verse
On this chapter
About Lamentations
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Athanasius of Alexandria, FESTAL LETTERS 13:4; Augustine of Hippo, REPLY TO FAUSTUS THE MANICHAEAN 19:28; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Lamentations.