Lamentations 3:47
Feare and a snare is come vpon vs, desolation and destruction. Lamentations 3:47 (KJV)
The phrase “Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction” is often cited, yet it does not appear verbatim in the King James Version of Lamentations. The closest passage is found in Jeremiah 2:23, which reads, “But this is the curse of the covenant which they cut: the fear, and the snare, and the desolation, and the destruction.” This observation reminds the reader that the language of fear, snare, desolation, and destruction is biblical, though its precise wording may belong to a related prophetic context.
The imagery conveyed in the cited verse and its related passages is stark. Fear, the pit, and the snare are described as being upon the inhabitant of the earth, emphasizing a pervasive sense of danger and entrapment. The earth itself is portrayed as utterly broken down, clean dissolved, and moved exceedingly, suggesting a world in upheaval and ruin. Such language paints a picture of a creation that has been shaken to its foundations, leaving humanity exposed to the consequences of divine judgment.
In reflecting on this somber picture, the study invites believers to consider the reality of divine warning. The fear and snare represent the consequences of turning away from covenant fidelity, while desolation and destruction illustrate the resulting devastation. The broken and dissolved earth serves as a metaphor for a life that has lost its stability and purpose when separated from God’s covenant.
The passage calls the reader to humility and repentance, urging a return to covenant faithfulness to avoid the looming snare. By recognizing the seriousness of the warning, one can seek restoration and avoid the desolation that follows disobedience. The study thus underscores the importance of heeding biblical warnings, acknowledging the gravity of divine curses, and pursuing a life aligned with God’s covenant promises.
