He has filled me with bitterness;This phrase reflects the deep sorrow and anguish experienced by the speaker, traditionally identified as the prophet Jeremiah. The context of Lamentations is the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC by the Babylonians. The bitterness symbolizes the profound grief and suffering of the people of Judah. In biblical terms, bitterness often represents a state of deep distress or resentment, as seen in the experiences of Job (
Job 7:11) and Naomi (
Ruth 1:20). Theologically, this bitterness can be seen as a consequence of the nation's disobedience to God, fulfilling the warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah (
Jeremiah 9:15).
He has intoxicated me with wormwood.
Wormwood is a bitter herb mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing sorrow and calamity (Deuteronomy 29:18,Proverbs 5:4). In the ancient Near East, wormwood was known for its extreme bitterness and was sometimes used metaphorically to describe the effects of divine judgment. The imagery of intoxication suggests being overwhelmed or consumed by this bitterness, indicating a loss of control or agency. This can be connected to the broader theme of divine retribution found in the prophetic literature, where God allows His people to experience the consequences of their actions. The use of wormwood also appears inRevelation 8:11, where it symbolizes the bitterness of judgment during the end times, drawing a parallel between the historical judgment on Jerusalem and future eschatological events.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JeremiahTraditionally considered the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet." He laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people.
2.
JerusalemThe city that has been destroyed by the Babylonians, leading to the deep sorrow and lament expressed in the book.
3.
Babylonian ExileThe event during which the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians, marking a period of great suffering and reflection for the Jewish people.
4.
WormwoodA bitter plant often used metaphorically in the Bible to represent sorrow and affliction.
5.
BitternessA state of deep distress and grief, often used in the Bible to describe the emotional and spiritual condition of those experiencing God's judgment or personal loss.
Teaching Points
Understanding SufferingRecognize that suffering is a part of the human experience and can lead to spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God.
The Role of LamentLament is a biblical way to express grief and seek God's presence in times of distress. It is a form of prayer that acknowledges pain while trusting in God's sovereignty.
Bitterness and HealingBitterness can consume us if left unchecked. Seek God's healing and grace to transform bitterness into peace and hope.
God's Sovereignty in TrialsEven in the midst of suffering, God remains sovereign. Trust in His ultimate plan and purpose, even when it is not immediately clear.
Hope in DespairLamentations teaches us that even in the darkest times, there is hope. God's mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Lamentations 3:15?
2.How can we find hope when experiencing bitterness like Lamentations 3:15 describes?
3.What does Lamentations 3:15 teach about God's role in our suffering?
4.How does Lamentations 3:15 connect with Jesus' suffering in the New Testament?
5.In what ways can we seek God's comfort during times of bitterness?
6.How can Lamentations 3:15 inspire us to trust God amidst life's challenges?
7.What does Lamentations 3:15 reveal about God's character in times of suffering?
8.How does Lamentations 3:15 fit into the overall message of the book?
9.What historical context influenced the writing of Lamentations 3:15?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 3?
11.What does 'gall' mean in the Bible?
12.Jeremiah 9:15 mentions God giving 'wormwood' and 'poisoned water' as judgment--can this be reconciled with known scientific or historical data?
13.In Revelation 8:10-11, what real-world event could explain a star named Wormwood making waters bitter and causing widespread death?
14.What does wormwood symbolize in Revelation?What Does Lamentations 3:15 Mean
He has filled me with bitterness• Jeremiah, speaking for the devastated nation, acknowledges that the Lord Himself allowed overwhelming sorrow to overtake him.
• Bitterness pictures grief that saturates every part of life—compare Naomi’s words, “The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20) and Job’s lament, “My soul is weary of my life” (Job 10:1).
• Scripture repeatedly shows the Lord using bitter seasons to correct and mature His people (Psalm 119:67;Hebrews 12:10-11).
• This honesty does not diminish God’s goodness; instead, it underscores that He is present even in hardship, sovereignly shaping His children for their good (Romans 8:28).
He has intoxicated me with wormwood• “Wormwood” is a plant so pungent it became a biblical symbol for judgment and poisoned consequences (Deuteronomy 29:18;Jeremiah 9:15;Revelation 8:11).
• To be “intoxicated” or “saturated” with it means being forced to drink suffering until it seems to take control—paralleling the cup of wrath imagery found inPsalm 75:8 andIsaiah 51:17.
• Jeremiah feels consumed by the nation’s well-deserved discipline; yet even that cup is measured by God, never random or cruel (Jeremiah 23:15;1 Peter 1:6-7).
• The verse invites sober reflection on sin’s cost—“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, he will reap” (Galatians 6:7)—while hinting that the same God who hands the cup can remove it in mercy (Lamentations 3:31-33).
summaryLamentations 3:15 records Jeremiah’s raw confession that the Lord has allowed him to drink deeply of grief’s bitter cup. By pairing “bitterness” with “wormwood,” the prophet stresses the thoroughness of divine discipline and the seriousness of sin. Yet the surrounding context reveals that this very God is faithful, and His compassions never fail (3:22-24). The verse therefore teaches that when God permits bitterness, it is purposeful, measured, and ultimately aimed at restoration for those who trust Him.
(15)
Bitterness.--The Hebrew gives the plural,
bitternesses.With these, the sorrows which are as the bitter herbs of life (the same word meets us in
Exodus 12:8, and
Numbers 9:11), the mourner had been filled even to satiety, even as he had been made drunk with wormwood.
Verse 15. -
With bitterness; literally,
with bitternesses; i.e. bitter troubles. A reminiscence of
Job 9:18.
With wormwood;i.e. with a drink of wormwood (comp.
Jeremiah 9:15;
Jeremiah 23:15). We are slightly reminded of
Psalm 69:21, "They gave me gall for my meat."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
He has filledהִשְׂבִּיעַ֥נִי(hiś·bî·‘a·nî)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7646:To be sated, satisfied or surfeitedme with bitterness;בַמְּרוֹרִ֖ים(ḇam·mə·rō·w·rîm)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4844:Bitter thing, bitter herbHe has intoxicated meהִרְוַ֥נִי(hir·wa·nî)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7301:To be saturated, drink one's fillwith wormwood.לַעֲנָֽה׃(la·‘ă·nāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3939:Wormwood
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OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:15 He has filled me with bitterness he (Lam. La Lm) 
