What does Lamentations 1:15 mean?
"The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress." - Lamentations 1:15

The Bible verse Lamentations 1:15 from the King James Version (KJV) reads, "The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress."
This verse comes from the book of Lamentations, which is a collection of five poetic laments for the fall of Jerusalem. The author of Lamentations is traditionally believed to be the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The book expresses the deep sorrow and mourning of the people of Judah as they lament the devastation and suffering caused by the judgment of God.
In Lamentations 1:15, the speaker laments the destruction of Judah by attributing it to the actions of the Lord himself. The verse vividly describes the devastation and loss experienced by the people of Judah. The phrase "The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me" conveys the sense of defeat and humiliation suffered by the powerful men of Judah. The use of the term "mighty men" emphasizes the strength and valor of these individuals who have been completely overthrown by the Lord.
The verse then continues with the description of an assembly called by the Lord to crush the young men of Judah. This further highlights the extent of the suffering and loss experienced by the people, as even the young and presumably strong members of the community are not spared from the judgment of God. The use of the word "crush" in this context conveys a sense of complete and devastating destruction, leaving no room for hope or recovery.
The verse concludes with the striking image of the Lord treading the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress. This imagery conveys a sense of brutality and unrelenting judgment, as the Lord is depicted as trampling and crushing the most vulnerable and innocent members of the community. The comparison to a winepress also conveys the sense of pressing and squeezing, further emphasizing the intense suffering and anguish experienced by Judah under the judgment of God.
The themes present in Lamentations 1:15 revolve around the themes of judgment, destruction, and suffering. The verse portrays the devastating impact of God's judgment on the people of Judah, emphasizing the complete and thorough nature of their defeat. The imagery used in the verse conveys a sense of helplessness and despair, as even the most powerful and innocent members of the community are not spared from the harsh judgment of the Lord.
The context of Lamentations 1:15 is the fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent suffering of the people of Judah. In the larger context of the book of Lamentations, this verse is part of a collection of laments that express the deep sorrow and mourning of the people in the aftermath of the destruction of their city. The verse reflects the profound sense of loss and devastation experienced by the people of Judah, as they grapple with the harsh reality of God's judgment.
In terms of symbolism, Lamentations 1:15 uses powerful and evocative imagery to convey the extent of the suffering and devastation experienced by the people of Judah. The Lord's actions are depicted in vivid and striking terms, emphasizing the complete and overwhelming nature of their defeat. The imagery of treading and crushing conveys a sense of ruthless judgment and destruction, leaving no room for hope or salvation. The comparison to a winepress further emphasizes the sense of pressing and squeezing, conveying the intense anguish and suffering experienced by the people under the judgment of God.
In conclusion, Lamentations 1:15 is a powerful and poignant verse that captures the deep sorrow and mourning of the people of Judah in the aftermath of the fall of Jerusalem. The verse uses vivid and evocative imagery to convey the extent of the suffering and devastation experienced by the people, emphasizing the complete and overwhelming nature of their defeat under the judgment of God. The verse serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the harsh reality of God's judgment.
Have questions about Lamentations 1:15?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — 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 1:15 Artwork
Lamentations 1:15 In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.
Lamentations 1:15 In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.
Lamentations 1:15 In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.
Lamentations 1:15 In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.
Lamentations 1:15 In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.
Lamentations 1:15 - "The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress."
Lamentations 1:15 “The Lord has rejected all the warriors in my midst; he has summoned an army against me to crush my young men.
Lamentations 1:15 “The Lord has rejected all the warriors in my midst; he has summoned an army against me to crush my young men.
Lamentations 1:15 “The Lord has rejected all the warriors in my midst; he has summoned an army against me to crush my young men. In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.
Lamentations 1:15 “The Lord has rejected all the warriors in my midst; he has summoned an army against me to crush my young men. In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.
Lamentations 1:15 “The Lord has rejected all the warriors in my midst; he has summoned an army against me to crush my young men. In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.
Lamentations 1:15 “The Lord has rejected all the warriors in my midst; he has summoned an army against me to crush my young men. In his winepress the Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah.
"The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress." - Lamentations 1:15
Lamentations 1:5 Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe.
Lamentations 1:5 Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe.
Lamentations 5:15 - "The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning."
Lamentations 3:15 - "He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood."
Lamentations 2:1
Lamentations 2:1
Lamentations 2:1
Lamentations 3:1-18
Lamentations 1:5 - "Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy."
Lamentations 3:13
"The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning." - Lamentations 5:15
Lamentations 2:15 - "All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?"
Lamentations 4:15 - "They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there."
Lamentations 3:1 - "I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath."
Jeremiah 31:15 - "¶ Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not."
Lamentations 5:1 - "Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach."
"He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood." - Lamentations 3:15