Bible Strands
Lamentations 3:29
Let him bury his face in the dust—perhaps there is still hope.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The speaker addresses the afflicted in Jerusalem, prescribing a physical response to divine discipline immediately after commanding silent solitude and before instructing the victim to endure reproach.
The words — The Hebrew אוּלַי ('ulai) means "perhaps," introducing a conditional possibility, while תִקְוָה (tiqvah) translates literally as "hope." The syntax links the act of burying one's face in dust directly to this uncertain outcome.
The thread — Similar postures of extreme humility before God appear in Job 40:4 and 2 Chronicles 33:12, while the progression from hearing about God to directly encountering Him is recorded in Job 42:5.
Why it lands — The text demands physical submission and accepts uncertainty, requiring the reader to endure discipline without demanding immediate rescue or guaranteed outcomes.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
Cross-references
- Job 40:4 “Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.
- 2 Chronicles 33:12 And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers.
- Job 42:5 My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You.
- Jeremiah 31:17 So there is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children will return to their own land.
- Ezekiel 16:63 so that when I make atonement for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your disgrace, declares the Lord GOD.”
- Joel 2:14 Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.
- Jonah 3:9 Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.”
- Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
- Luke 15:18 I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
- Luke 18:13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’