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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Lamentations 3:16 He has ground my teeth with gravel and trampled me in the dust.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/25_Lam_03_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 3:16 - Jeremiah's Afflictions" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He has ground my teeth with gravel and trampled me in the dust." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/lamentations/3-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/lamentations/3-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/lamentations/">Lamentations</a> > <a href="/lamentations/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/lamentations/3-15.htm" title="Lamentations 3:15">◄</a> Lamentations 3:16 <a href="/lamentations/3-17.htm" title="Lamentations 3:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/lamentations/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/lamentations/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He has broken my teeth with gravel; he has trampled me in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He has made me chew on gravel. He has rolled me in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He has ground my teeth with gravel and trampled me in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He has also broken my teeth with gravel, And covered me with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He has also made my teeth grind with gravel; He has made me cower in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He has broken my teeth with gravel; He has made me cower in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He has broken my teeth with gravel; He has made me cower in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He has broken my teeth with gravel; He has made me cower in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He has broken my teeth with gravel; He has [covered me with ashes and] made me cower in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He ground my teeth with gravel and made me cower in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He ground my teeth on gravel and made me cower in the dust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones; he hath covered me with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He made me eat gravel and rubbed me in the dirt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He has ground my teeth with gravel. He has trampled me into the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He rubbed my face in the ground and broke my teeth on rocks. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He broke my teeth on gravel, covering me with dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He ground my teeth in gravel; he trampled me in the dust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He has also broken my teeth with gravel; he has pressed me down in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He has ground my teeth with gravel and trampled me in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He has also broken my teeth with gravel. He has covered me with ashes. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He breaks with gravel my teeth, "" He has covered me with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And He breaketh with gravel my teeth, He hath covered me with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He will break my teeth with gravel stones, he covered me with ashes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Vau. And he hath broken my teeth one by one, he hath fed me with ashes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />VAU. And he has broken each one of my teeth; he has fed me with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He has made me eat gravel, trampled me into the dust; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He has broken my teeth with a stone, he has covered me with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Waw And he broke my teeth with a stone and he covered me in ashes<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, He hath made me to wallow in ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he has dashed out my teeth with gravel, he has fed me with ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/3-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rKrWuOkEqzQ?start=783" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/3.htm">Jeremiah's Afflictions</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>He has filled me with bitterness; He has intoxicated me with wormwood. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1638.htm" title="1638: way·yaḡ·rês (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be crushed. A primitive root; to crush; also to dissolve.">He has ground</a> <a href="/hebrew/8127.htm" title="8127: šin·nāy (N-cdc:: 1cs) -- Tooth, ivory. From shanan; a tooth; specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff.">my teeth</a> <a href="/hebrew/2687.htm" title="2687: be·ḥā·ṣāṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Gravel. From chatsats; properly, something cutting; hence, gravel; also an arrow.">with gravel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3728.htm" title="3728: hiḵ·pî·ša·nî (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms:: 1cs) -- To make bent, press or bend together. A primitive root; to tread down; figuratively, to humiliate.">and trampled me</a> <a href="/hebrew/665.htm" title="665: bā·’ê·p̄er (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Ashes. From an unused root meaning to bestrew; ashes.">in the dust.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-19.htm">Job 30:19</a></span><br />He throws me into the mud, and I have become like dust and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-23.htm">Isaiah 51:23</a></span><br />I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-14.htm">Jeremiah 8:14</a></span><br />Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/16-12.htm">Job 16:12-14</a></span><br />I was at ease, but He shattered me; He seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has set me up as His target; / His archers surround me. He pierces my kidneys without mercy and spills my gall on the ground. / He breaks me with wound upon wound; He rushes me like a mighty warrior.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/3-7.htm">Psalm 3:7</a></span><br />Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-3.htm">Isaiah 63:3</a></span><br />“I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-15.htm">Jeremiah 25:15-16</a></span><br />This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. / And they will drink and stagger and go out of their minds, because of the sword that I will send among them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Ezekiel 27:30</a></span><br />They will raise their voices for you and cry out bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-67.htm">Matthew 26:67</a></span><br />Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-19.htm">Mark 15:19</a></span><br />They kept striking His head with a staff and spitting on Him. And they knelt down and bowed before Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-64.htm">Luke 22:64</a></span><br />They blindfolded Him and kept demanding, “Prophesy! Who hit You?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-29.htm">John 19:29-30</a></span><br />A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. / When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-14.htm">Romans 3:14</a></span><br />“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He has also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he has covered me with ashes.</p><p class="hdg">broken</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/4-10.htm">Job 4:10</a></b></br> The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/3-7.htm">Psalm 3:7</a></b></br> Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies <i>upon</i> the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/58-6.htm">Psalm 58:6</a></b></br> Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.</p><p class="hdg">gravel</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm">Proverbs 20:17</a></b></br> Bread of deceit <i>is</i> sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9</a></b></br> Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/11-11.htm">Luke 11:11</a></b></br> If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if <i>he ask</i> a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?</p><p class="hdg">he hath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9</a></b></br> For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,</p><p class="hdg">covered me with ashes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-8.htm">Job 2:8</a></b></br> And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/6-26.htm">Jeremiah 6:26</a></b></br> O daughter of my people, gird <i>thee</i> with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, <i>as for</i> an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jonah/3-6.htm">Jonah 3:6</a></b></br> For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered <i>him</i> with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/31-40.htm">Ashes</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-12.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/jeremiah/28-10.htm">Breaketh</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-4.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-1.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-34.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-19.htm">Gravel</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-2.htm">Grind</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-14.htm">Low</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-9.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-16.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-33.htm">Trampled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-26.htm">Wallow</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Ashes</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-20.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Breaketh</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-16.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-43.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-29.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm">Gravel</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Grind</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-54.htm">Low</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-53.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-19.htm">Trampled</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Wallow</a><div class="vheading2">Lamentations 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-1.htm">The prophet bewails his own calamities</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-22.htm">By the mercies of God, he nourishes his hope</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-37.htm">He acknowledges God's justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">55. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-55.htm">He prays for deliverance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">64. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-64.htm">And vengeance on his enemies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/lamentations/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/lamentations/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/lamentations/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He has ground my teeth with gravel</b><br>This phrase conveys a vivid image of intense suffering and humiliation. In ancient times, the act of grinding teeth with gravel would symbolize extreme distress and discomfort. The imagery suggests a forced consumption of something harsh and painful, reflecting the deep anguish experienced by the speaker. This can be seen as a metaphor for the severe trials and tribulations faced by the people of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege and subsequent exile. The grinding of teeth is also a biblical expression of anguish and despair, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/matthew/8-12.htm">Matthew 8:12</a>, where it describes the weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness. This phrase highlights the physical and emotional torment endured by the prophet Jeremiah, who is traditionally considered the author of Lamentations, as he laments the destruction of Jerusalem.<p><b>and trampled me in the dust</b><br>The imagery of being trampled in the dust signifies utter defeat and degradation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, being cast down to the dust was a sign of complete subjugation and humiliation. Dust is often associated with mortality and lowliness, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>, where humanity is reminded of its origin from dust and eventual return to it. This phrase underscores the depth of despair and the feeling of being crushed under the weight of divine judgment. It reflects the historical reality of Jerusalem's fall and the subsequent suffering of its inhabitants. Theologically, it can be seen as a representation of the consequences of sin and disobedience, as the people of Judah faced the repercussions of turning away from God. This imagery also foreshadows the suffering of Christ, who was humiliated and bore the weight of humanity's sins, as described in <a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5</a>, where He was "crushed for our iniquities."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet." He laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of its people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city that has been destroyed by the Babylonians, leading to the lament and mourning expressed in the book.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The event during which the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians, resulting in immense suffering and loss.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_suffering.htm">Understanding Suffering</a></b><br>The imagery of teeth grinding on gravel symbolizes intense suffering and humiliation. This verse reminds us that suffering is a part of the human experience, and it can feel overwhelming and degrading.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_suffering.htm">God's Sovereignty in Suffering</a></b><br>Even in the midst of suffering, God remains sovereign. The verse reflects a deep trust in God's ultimate plan, even when circumstances are dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_despair.htm">Hope Amidst Despair</a></b><br>While the verse depicts despair, the broader context of <a href="/bsb/lamentations/3.htm">Lamentations 3</a> includes a profound declaration of hope and faith in God's mercies, which are new every morning.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/empathy_and_compassion.htm">Empathy and Compassion</a></b><br>Reflecting on this verse can cultivate empathy for those who are suffering. As Christians, we are called to support and comfort others in their times of distress.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>The verse encourages believers to persevere in faith, trusting that God will bring restoration and healing, even when life feels like it is grinding us down.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_lamentations_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'a_bruised_reed'_mean.htm">How do biblical idioms shape modern Christian language?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_14_12_contradict_resurrection.htm">When Job 14:12 says the dead 'do not rise,' does this contradict later scriptures affirming an immediate afterlife or resurrection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_7_20_conflict_with_nt's_grace.htm">Does Job 7:20's portrayal of God as a watcher or observer of human sin conflict with the New Testament depiction of a forgiving, grace-filled God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'gnashing_of_teeth'_mean.htm">What does 'gnashing of teeth' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/lamentations/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">He hath also broken my teeth.</span>--The metaphor of food is continued. The mourner eats bread that is gritty, as if made of sand instead of flour. (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm" title="Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.">Proverbs 20:17</a>.) Here, again, we are reminded of Dante (<span class= "ital">Parad. </span>xvii. 58), when he speaks of the bitterness of the bread which comes as the grudging gift of strangers.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> he hath (unnatural as it may seem in Israel's Father) given me stones instead of bread (comp. <a href="/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9</a>). The Jewish rabbi commonly called Rashi thinks that a historical fact is preserved in these words, and that the Jewish exiles were really obliged to eat bread mixed with grit, because they had to bake in pits dug in the ground. So too many later commentators, <span class="accented">e.g.</span> Grotius, who compares a passage of Seneca ('De Benefie.,' 2:7), "Beneficium superbe datum simile est pani lapidoso." <span class="cmt_word">He hath covered me with ashes;</span> rather, <span class="accented">he hath pressed me down into ashes.</span> A figurative expression for great humiliation. So in the Talmud the Jewish nation is described as "pressed down into ashes" ('Bereshith Rabba,' 75). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/3-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He has ground</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּגְרֵ֤ס</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḡ·rês)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1638.htm">Strong's 1638: </a> </span><span class="str2">To crush, to dissolve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my teeth</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁנָּ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(šin·nāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8127.htm">Strong's 8127: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tooth, ivory, a cliff</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with gravel</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּֽחָצָץ֙</span> <span class="translit">(be·ḥā·ṣāṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2687.htm">Strong's 2687: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something cutting, gravel, an arrow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and trampled me</span><br /><span class="heb">הִכְפִּישַׁ֖נִי</span> <span class="translit">(hiḵ·pî·ša·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3728.htm">Strong's 3728: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make bent, press or bend together</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the dust.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּאֵֽפֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ê·p̄er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_665.htm">Strong's 665: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ashes</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/3-16.htm">Lamentations 3:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/3-16.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:16 He has also broken my teeth (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/3-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 3:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 3:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/3-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 3:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 3:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>