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Lamentations 1:14

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.

Lamentations 1:14 · King James Version

Meaning

The verse speaks about the consequences of one's sins and transgressions. It vividly paints a picture of the burden of guilt and wrongdoing that weighs heavily upon the individual. The imagery of a yoke being bound and wreathed around the neck symbolizes the inescapable nature of the consequences of sin. The mention of strength falling and being delivered into the hands of others emphasizes the powerlessness and vulnerability of the individual in the face of their transgressions. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and seeking forgiveness from the Lord in order to be freed from the bondage of sin. Overall, this verse serves as a cautionary tale about the repercussions of straying from the path of righteousness and the importance of turning back to God for redemption and salvation.

Theological Overview

When examining the theological interpretation of this verse from the Book of Lamentations, it is essential to consider the concept of punishment for transgressions. The imagery of a yoke being bound by the hand of God signifies the burden of sin and the consequences that come with disobedience. The mention of the protagonist's strength failing and being delivered into the hands of their enemies further emphasizes the idea of suffering as a result of wrongdoing. In this context, the verse serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and the repercussions of straying from the path of righteousness. The use of vivid language, such as being "wreathed" and having one's strength "fall", conveys the depth of despair and powerlessness that can come from facing the consequences of one's actions. Ultimately, this verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of transgressions and the need for repentance to escape the grip of sin.

Lamentations 1:14 in other translations

American Standard Version

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand; They are knit together, they are come up upon my neck; He hath made my strength to fail: The Lord hath delivered me into their hands, against whom I am not able to stand.

World English Bible

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand; They are knit together, they have come up on my neck; he has made my strength to fail: The Lord has delivered me into their hands, against whom I am not able to stand.

Douay-Rheims

Nun. The yoke of my iniquities hath watched: they are folded together in his hand, and put upon my neck: my strength is weakened: the Lord hath delivered me into a hand, out of which I am not able to rise.

Geneva Bible (1599)

The yoke of my transgressions is bounde vpon his hand: they are wrapped, and come vp vpon my necke: hee hath made my strength to fall: the Lord hath deliuered me into their hands, neither am I able to rise vp.