Lamentations 3:2
New International Version
He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light;

New Living Translation
He has led me into darkness, shutting out all light.

English Standard Version
he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light;

Berean Standard Bible
He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light.

King James Bible
He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.

New King James Version
He has led me and made me walk In darkness and not in light.

New American Standard Bible
He has driven me and made me walk In darkness and not in light.

NASB 1995
He has driven me and made me walk In darkness and not in light.

NASB 1977
He has driven me and made me walk In darkness and not in light.

Legacy Standard Bible
He has driven me and made me walk In darkness and not in light.

Amplified Bible
He has led me and made me walk In darkness and not in light.

Christian Standard Bible
He has driven me away and forced me to walk in darkness instead of light.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He has driven me away and forced me to walk in darkness instead of light.

American Standard Version
He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light.

Contemporary English Version
He chased me into a dark place, where no light could enter.

English Revised Version
He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness and not in light.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light.

Good News Translation
He drove me deeper and deeper into darkness

International Standard Version
He has led me—brought me into darkness, not into light.

Majority Standard Bible
He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light.

NET Bible
He drove me into captivity and made me walk in darkness and not light.

New Heart English Bible
He has led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light.

Webster's Bible Translation
He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.

World English Bible
He has led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He has led me, and causes to go [in] darkness, and without light.

Young's Literal Translation
Me He hath led, and causeth to go in darkness, and without light.

Smith's Literal Translation
He led me and he brought darkness and not light.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Aleph. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, and not into light.

Catholic Public Domain Version
ALEPH. He has driven me and led me into darkness, and not into light.

New American Bible
One whom he has driven and forced to walk in darkness, not in light;

New Revised Standard Version
he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He has led me, but I walked in darkness and not in light.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He led me and he walked me in darkness and not in the light
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness and not in light.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He has taken me, and led me away into darkness, and not into light.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah's Afflictions
1I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath. 2 He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light. 3Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long.…

Cross References
Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Job 10:21-22
before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom, / to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.”

Isaiah 50:10
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.

Micah 7:8-9
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. / Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness.

Jeremiah 13:16
Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.

Psalm 88:6
You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths.

Isaiah 42:7
to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

Amos 5:18
Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light.

Matthew 4:16
the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

1 John 1:5-7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.


Treasury of Scripture

He has led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.

brought

Lamentations 3:53-55
They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me…

Lamentations 2:1
How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!

Deuteronomy 28:29
And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.

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Caused Causeth Dark Darkness Driven Led Rather Walk
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Caused Causeth Dark Darkness Driven Led Rather Walk
Lamentations 3
1. The prophet bewails his own calamities
22. By the mercies of God, he nourishes his hope
37. He acknowledges God's justice
55. He prays for deliverance
64. And vengeance on his enemies














He has driven me away
This phrase reflects the deep sense of alienation and separation experienced by the speaker, traditionally understood to be the prophet Jeremiah. The context is the aftermath of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a pivotal event in Jewish history. The phrase suggests a forced removal, echoing the exile of the Israelites to Babylon. This can be seen as a fulfillment of the warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12) about the consequences of Israel's disobedience. Theologically, it underscores the theme of divine judgment, where God allows His people to face the repercussions of their actions. This separation can also be seen as a type of Christ's own experience of alienation on the cross, where He bore the sins of humanity and cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

and made me walk in darkness
The imagery of walking in darkness signifies a state of confusion, despair, and lack of direction. In biblical literature, darkness often symbolizes judgment, sin, and separation from God (Isaiah 9:2, John 3:19). The historical context here is the spiritual and moral darkness that enveloped Jerusalem after its fall. This darkness contrasts with the light of God's presence and guidance, which Israel had previously enjoyed. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. In a broader biblical context, Jesus is described as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), offering hope and redemption to those who walk in darkness.

instead of light
Light in the Bible is frequently associated with God's presence, truth, and salvation (Psalm 27:1, John 1:4-5). The absence of light in this context highlights the loss of divine favor and guidance. Historically, the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem represented the loss of the central place of worship and the visible symbol of God's presence among His people. This phrase underscores the reversal of fortune for the Israelites, who once walked in the light of God's covenant blessings. It also points forward to the hope of restoration and redemption, as prophesied in passages like Isaiah 60:1-3, where the coming of the Messiah would bring light to those in darkness. This hope is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who brings spiritual light and life to all who believe in Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
- Traditionally 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. Jerusalem
- The city that has been destroyed by the Babylonians, leading to the lament expressed in this book.

3. Babylonian Exile
- The event during which the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians, resulting in profound grief and reflection.
Teaching Points
Understanding Suffering
Recognize that suffering and darkness are part of the human experience, often used by God to draw us closer to Him.

God's Sovereignty
Even in times of darkness, God remains sovereign. Our trials are not outside His control, and He can use them for His purposes.

Hope in Darkness
While we may walk in darkness, we are called to seek the light of Christ, who promises to guide and sustain us.

Repentance and Restoration
Darkness can be a call to repentance, leading to spiritual renewal and restoration.

Community Support
In times of darkness, the support of a faith community can provide encouragement and strength.(2) Into darkness.--The moral darkness of perplexity as well as misery. The cry of the mourner was like that of Ajax (Hom. Il. xvii. 647), "Slay me if thou wilt, but slay me in the light."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He has driven me away
נָהַ֛ג (nā·haḡ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5090: To drive forth, lead, carry away, to proceed, to sigh

and made me walk
וַיֹּלַ֖ךְ (way·yō·laḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in darkness
חֹ֥שֶׁךְ (ḥō·šeḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

instead of
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

light.
אֽוֹר׃ (’ō·wr)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary


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OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:2 He has led me and caused me (Lam. La Lm)
Lamentations 3:1
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