What does Lamentations 3:49 mean?
"Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission," - Lamentations 3:49

Lamentations 3:49 in the King James Version says, "Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission." This verse is part of the book of Lamentations, which is a collection of five poetic laments mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of the Jewish people. The book is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who witnesses the fall of Jerusalem and experiences intense grief and despair as he reflects on the devastation and loss.
The context of Lamentations 3:49 is crucial to understanding its significance. Throughout the book, the author expresses his deep anguish and sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem. In this particular verse, the speaker describes how his tears flow endlessly without pause. The use of imagery in this verse vividly conveys the depth of the speaker's emotion and the relentless nature of his weeping.
One theme that emerges from Lamentations 3:49 is the overwhelming sense of grief and despair that accompanies loss and suffering. The image of tears flowing without ceasing reflects the intensity of the speaker's pain and the unrelenting nature of his sorrow. This theme of profound sadness is present throughout the book of Lamentations and serves as a powerful expression of the human experience of suffering and lamentation.
Another theme that can be inferred from this verse is the importance of acknowledging and expressing one's emotions, even in the face of overwhelming sorrow. The speaker does not attempt to suppress or hide his tears, but instead openly acknowledges the constant flow of his weeping. This serves as a reminder of the value of honest and authentic emotional expression, even in the midst of great suffering.
The symbolism in Lamentations 3:49 lies in the metaphor of tears as a physical manifestation of the speaker's inner turmoil and grief. The tears represent the deep emotional pain and suffering that the speaker is experiencing, as well as the profound sense of loss and devastation that has befallen the Jewish people. The imagery of flowing tears serves as a powerful symbol of human vulnerability and the universal experience of sorrow and lamentation.
In a broader theological context, Lamentations 3:49 can be interpreted as a meditation on the nature of suffering and the role of lamentation in the human experience. The book of Lamentations as a whole reflects on the consequences of sin and the resulting devastation, while also grappling with the theological implications of suffering and the search for hope in the midst of despair.
Overall, Lamentations 3:49 in the King James Version is a poignant and evocative expression of deep sorrow and lamentation. The verse captures the profound grief and suffering experienced by the speaker and serves as a powerful reminder of the universal human experience of loss and despair. Through its rich imagery and emotional depth, this verse speaks to the enduring relevance of the book of Lamentations as a testament to the complexities of human suffering and the enduring power of faith and hope in the face of adversity.
Have questions about Lamentations 3:49?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat β an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Lamentations 3:49 Artwork
Lamentations 3:49 - "Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,"
"Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission," - Lamentations 3:49
Lamentations 3:49 KJV Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
Lamentations 3:48-49 KJV Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people. (49) Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
Jeremiah 49:3 - "Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together."
Jeremiah 3:49
Lamentations 3:13
Lamentations 3:1-18
Lamentations 3:31 - "For the Lord will not cast off for ever:"
Lamentations 3:23 - "They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 5:3 - "We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows."
Lamentations 3:36 - "To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not."
Lamentations 3:3 - "Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day."
Lamentations 3:38 - "Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?"
Lamentations 3:27 - "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth."
Lamentations 3:47 - "Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction."
Lamentations 3:19 - "Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall."
Lamentations 3:34 - "To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,"
Lamentations 3:50 - "Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven."
Lamentations 3:29 - "He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope."
Lamentations 3:2 - "He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light."
Lamentations 3:21 - "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope."
Lamentations 3:37 - "ΒΆ Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?"
Lamentations 3:45 - "Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people."
Lamentations 3:20 - "My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me."
Lamentations 3:35 - "To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,"
Lamentations 3:63 - "Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their musick."
Lamentations 3:33 - "For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men."
Lamentations 3:46 - "All our enemies have opened their mouths against us."
Lamentations 3:48-51 KJV Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people. (49) Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission, (50) Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven. (51) Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.