The Meaning of Lamentations 3:32 Explained

Lamentations 3:32

KJV: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

YLT: For though He afflicted, yet He hath pitied, According to the abundance of His kindness.

Darby: but if he have caused grief, he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses:

ASV: For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But though he cause grief,  yet will he have compassion  according to the multitude  of his mercies. 

What does Lamentations 3:32 Mean?

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Lamentations 3:32 mean?

For Though He causes grief and yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies
כִּ֣י אִם־ הוֹגָ֔ה וְרִחַ֖ם כְּרֹ֥ב [חסדו] (חֲסָדָֽיו)

אִם־  Though 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
הוֹגָ֔ה  He  causes  grief 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָגָה 
Sense: to afflict, grieve, suffer, cause grief.
וְרִחַ֖ם  and  yet  He  will  show  compassion 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָחַם  
Sense: to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection, have compassion.
כְּרֹ֥ב  According  to  the  multitude 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: רֹב  
Sense: multitude, abundance, greatness.
(חֲסָדָֽיו)  His  mercies 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.