Ekhah 3:15

15 He hath filled me with merorim (bitter herbs); He hath made me drunk with suffering.

Ekhah 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

Lamentations 3:15

He hath filled me with bitterness
Or "with bitternesses" {m}; instead of food, bitter herbs; the allusion perhaps is to the bitter herbs eaten at the passover, and signify bitter afflictions, sore calamities, of which the prophet and his people had their fill. The Targum is,

``with the gall of serpents;''

see ( Job 20:14 ) ; he hath made me drunken with wormwood;
with wormwood drink; but this herb being a wholesome one, though bitter, some think that henbane, or wolfsbane, is rather meant, which is of a poisonous and intoxicating nature; it is no unusual thing for persons to be represented as drunk with affliction, ( Isaiah 51:17 Isaiah 51:21 ) ( Jeremiah 25:27 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 (Myrwrmb) "amaritudinibus", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Michaelis, "amaroribus", Cocceius.

Ekhah 3:15 In-Context

13 He hath caused the arrows of His quiver to enter into my organs.

14 I was a derision to kol ami; and their [mocking] song kol hayom.

15 He hath filled me with merorim (bitter herbs); He hath made me drunk with suffering.

16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel, He hath covered me with aphar.

17 And Thou hast removed my nefesh far off from shalom; I forgot tovah (prosperity).