Lamentations 1:13 Meaning and Explanation
“From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The city describes her suffering as fire in her bones and a net at her feet, leaving her desolate and faint all day long.
What Does Lamentations 1:13 Mean?
The images come from God's own hand: fire sent from above into the bones, a fever of pain that burns from within where nothing can reach it. This is not the enemy's doing alone; the poem keeps insisting that the LORD is the ultimate author of the chastening. The fire 'prevaileth,' overcoming every defense.
A net spread for the feet is the hunter's trap, catching and tripping the prey so it cannot run. 'He hath turned me back' — every attempt to escape is reversed. The result is a desolation that lasts 'all the day,' a faintness with no evening relief in sight. The verse lets the sufferer name God as the source without letting go of him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lamentations 1:13
What does Lamentations 1:13 mean?
The city describes her suffering as fire in her bones and a net at her feet, leaving her desolate and faint all day long.